Fear Memories

When Ozzie was 12 weeks old, he was out on a walk when he became completely overwhelmed by the approach of several kids on skateboards and scooters.  They came right at him on the sidewalk, popped the curb, and zoomed away.  From that day forward, he has been afraid of skateboards and scooters.  No amount of desensitization has convinced him otherwise.  Seeing his family on skates, skateboards, and scooters still creates anxiety.  That's what is meant by the term "fear memory."

Fear memories are usually visual or auditory (or both in Ozzie's case) and are an example of situational learning. Dogs respond to fear memories by wanting to freeze, fight, or in Ozzie's case, flee.  He is now 5 years old and while he doesn't bolt when he sees or hears skateboards or scooters anymore, he is still hyper-vigilant.  Some days go better than others, meaning on some days I can get him to sit next to me as we watch the evil wheeled objects go by.  I remind him that I've got his back and that I won't let them come near him.  I don't try to minimize his fear because to him, it's a very real issue.  I don't reinforce his fear by trying to give him treats (he wouldn't take them anyway!).  What I do is stand with him and we face it together.  And then there are other days when all he wants to do is race speedy quick and get past the wheeled demons as fast as possible.  I can't predict which way it will go as the fear memory is Ozzie's, not mine.  I think it depends on how he is feeling in general that day.

Ozzie isn't alone with his fear memories. I meet dogs every day who are afraid of men in hats, people of color, kids, crying babies, loud trucks, etc.  Sometimes, we can't figure out the specific, first trigger, but that doesn't make the fear any less real or important for the dog. Avoiding those things that trigger the fear memory is possible in some cases, but not always.  You need to walk your dog and you have no way of knowing if someone else will be out walking with a hat on, for example. So, instead of getting frustrated and trying to avoid those situations, move through them with your dog.  Don't panic. Don't cue them to the issue (believe me, if there is a fear memory at play here, they don't need you to cue them!).  Don't force them to lay down in the presence of their nemesis.  Do position yourself in a supportive/protective way.  You can place a hand on your dog if that reinforces your support of them. Acknowledge whatever it is and remind them that they can survive this.  See if you can get them to sniff the ground, look for birds or squirrels, etc., anything that competes with their fear memory for attention in their brain.  Hopefully, over time, your dog will come to see that while they still must remain vigilant, their vigilance won't keep them (or you) from enjoying those walks.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

The beach is one of Ozzie's favorite places to walk. 

No scooters or skateboards and plenty of birds to chase!