Extreme dryer phobia!!!

[Keira25]

Well, I bought a K-9 III, and Kanga has an extreme fear of it. She is 18 months old, came from a breeder, has been groomed before and the breeder doesn't recall any problems. We tested it out on the deck on low, she struggled to get away and I blew her coat for maybe 60 seconds. I put her on a leash and tried it again yesterday, and got an even more extreme reaction. I put in in the bedroom in a corner with the thought of not turning it on and just having her desensitized to it, and she won't go into the bedroom! My daughter was charging her computer on the deck and she saw the cord and wouldn't go on the deck. I did not expect this at all, and don't know what to do. I feel like I made it worse already. She has an appointment to go to the groomer at the end of June. While I'm not happy with spending all that money for something that my dog apparently sees as a torture device, I know she needs to be able to tolerate being groomed. Any advice? For now I feel like I have to totally back away for awhile. She was so freaked out, treats did nothing to help, she ignored them.

 

[Angela]

Do you use a hair dryer for your own hair? If so, let Kanga see what you are doing, and put it on low heat and hold it in her direction, offering treats. Had this problem with Owain (had many problems with O wain, could write a book!!) and slowly but surely he will tolerate my hair dryer.

 

[Keira25]

I do dry my hair and will try that. I think I pushed too much too soon and will back off the K-9 for a few weeks. Maybe she will forget a little (yeah right). That's funny about the autocorrect!

 

[dreamchaser456]

It will take time to get her used to the dryer. When you begin again, have her leashed and calm before you start. If you have a grooming table I would use that. Sometimes they associate the table with grooming and things are less scary there. My boy doesn't like the dremel, clippers or dryer but on the table he tolerates all 3. It took a little to desensitize him from things that make noise but leashed on the table, he calmly sits there and lets the noisy things do their job. The key is slowly, stopping as soon as you get a positive that time, next time a little closer, longer etc.

 

[Jager's Mom]

I'd also recommend a walk (to help tire the pup out) before trying the dryer.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Myra used to hate it, but with time and some help from a second set of hands we had success. She loves it now, just takes time and patiences.

 

[Jeannie]

Put it on low, take off the nozzle and blow it around her legs to start with. (not feet). Start on the back end and slowly work forward. YOU have to be calm, so act like it is nothing. Give her a few treats and talk to her like nothing is happening.

 

[Keira25]

My daughter had her on the leash and when she walked outside to the deck and Kanga saw the dryer she literally pulled her off the deck to get away. It wasn't even on! I put it in another bedroom so she would come into ours. I think I will let things settle down and see how she does at the groomer on the table. Depending on how that goes I will start from scratch with all the suggestions. I should have not even turned it on. I made things much worse. I thought if I used it on her for a minute she would see that it was no big deal. Should not have forced the issue. If I can't even get her in the same room as the dryer with it off this could be tough! I hope totally backing away for a few weeks will help. Thanks everyone.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

That is extreme behavior to a dryer, but she should come around. You should try to resolve this before she goes to a groomer as they may have several dryers going there. You may want to put it in the main living area and ignore it. Then put some treats on it. Hold a spoonful of peanut butter while you have it on low should be the next step. When you do have it on low, avoid the head.

 

[Jager's Mom]

Our dryer has a long enough hose that the dryer can be put outside the room, then you can pull the door to and use the hose inside the room. Maybe that will help too, since most of the noise will be outside the room. I blow Bear dry on the patio and leave the dryer inside the sliding glass door.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

You've gotten some great suggestions already. Would just say to use super high value treats when you do restart the process. It's also really important for you to be confident and not act likes its a big deal. If you project a fear that she will react, she will.

You can totally overcome this!

Not an example with a dryer, but Maggie got spooked by fireworks a couple of years ago. She started refusing to go outside after dark. It took us a few days of using very high value treats and of US being very confident and acting like it was no big deal. It took time and patience but she was back to normal in about a week.

 

[Keira25]

I am feeling a little lack of confidence! The intensity of her reaction took me off guard. We are still getting to know each other, and she had been doing so great until this bump in the road. I have the dryer in my daughter's bedroom and she won't go past the door anymore. I am going to put treats on the rug leading up to the door, then try putting them in the room leading to the dryer. I really appreciate the support and will keep you posted.

 

[Jeannie]

Don't keep trying to tempt her to go to the dryer. Just put it in the middle of the living room and forget it. No treats on the dryer or anything. Don't make any remarks about it or anything. Ignore it because in your opinion it is not there. The more you react to it the more she will react. So be it if she does not go near it. Sooner or later it will become just another thing in the room and she will be comfortable with it. Oh if she has to walk by it to eat. Let her see the food, set it in the normal place and go on about your day. She will eat when she gets hungry.

 

[Keira25]

OK, I will give that a shot!

 

[R Taft]

If she react to just the physical dryer by seeing it, i would do what jeannie suggested.....But i also use the click and treat system, which is the high reward system. I have just gone through all of this with aour new rescue newfie Harry...he used to bit when groomed and also react severely to the dryer, Now he pushes in when I blow the others.

I started without having it on, just the hose. brought it near and as soon as they looked at me, i clicked and treated. or even showed any sign of just being there. if she is worried about it, i would find the distance she copes with and slowly (may take days) come closer and closer....I also had the dryer on low and out side the area to start withte blowing. I fed harry his whole meals doing our Dryer thing...it takes a lot of time and many days. i progress very slowly and as soon as I feel they worry i go back a step for a few goes. The extreme fear is a worry and force will not help. Look up Kikkopup on the Youtubes and you can see clicker training at its best...slow and lots of rewards will get you there......I think harry took about 8 weeks, now I have created the monster that wants to be blown all the time......but he loves it and no treat required anymore as now the blowing is the treat

 

[chumleysma]

When you do advance to the stage of blowing, don't get near her head for a long while yet, especially the ears. Both my dogs show a huge preference to the rear half of the body.

 

[mrsnamsherf]

Totally what Ronnie said-this is how I got Sam used to the Dremel for his nails. He was very frightened by it-we couldn't even start with it turned on. Just with getting near it. It's amazing what they can adjust to. And that ignoring that Jeannie mentioned-great idea. Good luck!

Marie

 

[Keira25]

Took a few days before she would go into the living room with the dryer there. Yesterday a neighbor came to the front door and she was so excited she forgot the dryer was there and walked right past. Today she came over and visited me while I was next to it, and then later sniffed it. Still not crazy about it, but progress is being made!

 

[Wayne A]

Glad to hear. My Kandy & Chloe will lay there all day if you blow there belly on low. LOL