Re: Traumatized terrier...

In Reply to: Traumatized terrier...
Category:   Other
Posted by:  Laura
Posted on:  December 27, 2002 at 18:39:41

: A week ago I was in an auto accident. Fortunatley, no one was hurt, though the other car was totaled and mine was damaged. My 1 1/2 year old terrier was riding in the car unrestrained at the time (bad, I know). The airbags deployed and she was screaming, but apparently unharmed physically, thank goodness.

: Some nice women took her into a building while I dealt with the phone calls, my daughter, the other driver, etc. When I went to retreive Phoebe, she did not want to have anything to do with me.

: Since the accident, she doesn't trust me like she did. I know that before this accident, she felt completely safe from anything if she was near or on me. She came everywhere with me and loved to go for rides.

: Now, if she sees me getting ready to go somewhere, her little tail drops and she starts shaking, and trying to avoid me.

: I decided to take her in the car (in her crate) and she quaked violently the whole time. I tried to give her treats, which she refused to touch. I was happy to see that if I put her leash on and took her for a walk outside the vehicle, she immediately recovered her customary joie de vivre.

: I really feel bad that the formerly lionhearted Phoebe has had her confidence so badly shaken, and would like to help her get past the trauma. I don't want to force things too much, but I also don't want her to get completely accustomed to not riding in cars and trucks anymore. Having her with me everywhere I went was so fun for both of us! Any advice on moving on from this bad experience would be much appreciated.

: Thanks,

: Laura

Response:

Dear Laura,

Glad to hear that no one was physically injured in the car accident though I imagine it was quite frightening for all involved. As the accident was so recent, and so violent, I am not surprised that Phoebe is reluctant to ride in a vehicle.

I understand your desire to get things "back to normal" as soon as possible but you need to do that for yourself before you can help Phoebe. Her distress/insecurity is certainly a reaction to the trauma of the accident; she's also reacting to your reaction.

I suggest that for now, you don't push Phoebe to ride in a vehicle. That she has gone from avoiding you to happily walking on her leash around a vehicle is a step in the right direction. By not forcing her to accept what she has reason to fear AND encouraging her efforts, you are restoring her confidence.

Be patient with yourself and with Phoebe; take comfort in each other but understand that you are the leader. When you feel secure, she will too. :-)