Fears

[CitasPride]

Finley is deathly afraid of the windshield wipers. When we first noticed her fear, we thought she would get over it in time. Unfortunately, the situation is actually getting worse. She goes to daycare twice a week near my work (about 30 miles from home). We can't always predict when it's going to rain in Texas so we can't always avoid it. We've had some very miserable trips (for both of us) home in the evening during rush hour traffic. Is this something a trainer could help us with?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by CitasPride

Finley is deathly afraid of the windshield wipers. When we first noticed her fear, we thought she would get over it in time. Unfortunately, the situation is actually getting worse. She goes to daycare twice a week near my work (about 30 miles from home). We can't always predict when it's going to rain in Texas so we've can't always avoid it. We've had some very miserable trips (for both of us) home in the evening during rush hour traffic. Is this something a trainer could help us with?

Have her ride in a crate and cover the crate with a towel or blanket when it's raining.

A crate is safer anyway, especially during rush hour.

Peggy

[CitasPride]

Thanks for the advice. She rides in a car seat to stay safe (not sure that it's as safe as a crate, but it keeps her still in the car). Unfortunately, the car seat doesn't shield her from seeing and hearing the wipers. We will try the crate covered with a blanket to mute the noise and hope for the best!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by CitasPride

Thanks for the advice. She rides in a car seat to stay safe (not sure that it's as safe as a crate, but it keeps her still in the car). Unfortunately, the car seat doesn't shield her from seeing and hearing the wipers. We will try the crate covered with a blanket to mute the noise and hope for the best!

Be careful to not just use the crate when it's raining, use it in good weather too. Otherwise she'll associate it with raining and the wipers going. And that won't help the problem.

If you use it all the time she'll come to think of it as a safe place to be.

Now if it's the noise that bothers her you might need to try some desentizing things. Like have her in the car and run the wipers. When she is calm and quiet you reward her with a treat. When she is upset you give her a command to be calm and quiet. (Settle, uh uh or whatever you choose) and reward her when she responds and is calm.

Peggy