Cedar is terrified of the furnace - Need help

shaner · 12-30-2011, 05:43 PM

Cedar is 15 months old now and has always had weak nerves. We were hoping maturity and training would help cure the problem, but it hasn't helped at all. It's never been a big issue until recently.

We bought a new house in the summer and Cedar has become absolutely terrified of the furnace. She pants and shakes uncontrollably.

Luckily we have a wood stove so the furnace isn't on a lot, but when it is, it's bad.

I really don't know what to do about this. Any and all help will greatly be appreciated as this is a pretty big problem in the winter

Oskar der Drachen · 12-30-2011, 06:53 PM

Would it be a matter of just sitting next to her with food, and as it comes on (timing is everything) feed and cuddle her?

Have someone be by the On switch, and go through the process a half dozen times a row, a couple of times a day.

Support her through the sound to build pleasure associations?

shaner · 12-30-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskar der Drachen

Would it be a matter of just sitting next to her with food, and as it comes on (timing is everything) feed and cuddle her?

Have someone be by the On switch, and go through the process a half dozen times a row, a couple of times a day.

Support her through the sound to build pleasure associations?

She has no interest in treats of any kind when she's scared like that. Besides, I always thought you're not supposed to try to comfort them at times like that because it confirms that there is something to be scared of. Not that it matters as she has no interest in attention from me during her little panic stages.

Oskar der Drachen · 12-30-2011, 07:24 PM

Is it the start of the furnace, the sound it makes when it's running or both?

Can you be engaged with her before the furnace starts, training or play session, and then have someone turn it on?

Maybe be outside, and walk her in after it is on if it is the starting noise she is afraid of?

I would think it would be a matter of changing her focus?

Is she afraid of the vacuum cleaner or anything else that makes a strange noise?

12-30-2011, 05:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
shaner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 393	Cedar is terrified of the furnace - Need help Cedar is 15 months old now and has always had weak nerves. We were hoping maturity and training would help cure the problem, but it hasn't helped at all. It's never been a big issue until recently. We bought a new house in the summer and Cedar has become absolutely terrified of the furnace. She pants and shakes uncontrollably. Luckily we have a wood stove so the furnace isn't on a lot, but when it is, it's bad. I really don't know what to do about this. Any and all help will greatly be appreciated as this is a pretty big problem in the winter

12-30-2011, 06:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Oskar der Drachen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Inglewood, New Zealand Posts: 243	Would it be a matter of just sitting next to her with food, and as it comes on (timing is everything) feed and cuddle her? Have someone be by the On switch, and go through the process a half dozen times a row, a couple of times a day. Support her through the sound to build pleasure associations? __________________ Ignorance is Fixable Contrary to popular thought, life does not hinge around big decisions at crisis points, but small everyday decisions that lead almost inexorably to crisis. Virtue lies in not being lazy when choosing, even in a small way.

12-30-2011, 07:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oskar der Drachen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Inglewood, New Zealand Posts: 243	Is it the start of the furnace, the sound it makes when it's running or both? Can you be engaged with her before the furnace starts, training or play session, and then have someone turn it on? Maybe be outside, and walk her in after it is on if it is the starting noise she is afraid of? I would think it would be a matter of changing her focus? Is she afraid of the vacuum cleaner or anything else that makes a strange noise? __________________ Ignorance is Fixable Contrary to popular thought, life does not hinge around big decisions at crisis points, but small everyday decisions that lead almost inexorably to crisis. Virtue lies in not being lazy when choosing, even in a small way.

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