Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog training - dog behavior

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 16th, 2012, 08:29 PM
JennaG JennaG is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Waterloo
Posts: 1
Dog anxiety over flies

Our dog Shiraz got bitten by a horse fly his first Summer. Now his cottage time is focused on keeping the flies off him. He practically turns himself inside out. It is ruining his cottage experience any suggestions to get him over his fly phobia. Flies aren't biting him....he is just obsessed with the fact that they are around him. Thanks! JG
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old July 16th, 2012, 09:51 PM
kitona kitona is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 86
Once bitten, twice shy. Sounds like a smart dog to me.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old July 17th, 2012, 05:37 PM
tenderfoot's Avatar
tenderfoot tenderfoot is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 1,249
This is a tough one because he has a right to keep himself protected and he is his own best fly swatter.

You should probably investigate a good natural fly spray that won't hurt him if he licks himself. Citronella might be worth a shot.

You could tie something little and black to a bit of fishing line and tie that to a stick which you would dangle around his head and body like a fly - when he thinks about going for it you would use the 'leave it' command, and desensitize him to flies. When he is able to resist the temptation to snap at the fly, praise him, and offer a toy to play with or a treat occasionally.

This is a tough one, good luck.
__________________
Love Them & Lead Them,
~Elizabeth & Doug
www.TenderfootTraining.com
Dog Training the Way Nature Intended
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 AM.