Hey, I was wondering if anyone else had a similar issue and could share any advice. Our puppy, about 3 months old, is scared of the tv. Whenever we turn it in she leaves the room and runs under our bed. She doesn’t get frightened if we are playing a video on our phones, seems to mostly be the TV that does it. Any advice on how to get her more comfortable with the tv? Thanks!
Ahhh bless her. I guess you need to help her feel differently about it, so perhaps you could give her something tasty when you pop the TV on so she associates something lovely with it? Try a stuffed kong for example? Or play with her when it’s on. I had a rescue dog that was scared of everything and it was all about slowly getting him used to things slowly. Can you pop the tv on no sound to start then once she settles with that, turn the volume up slowly? It may take a little while but I’m sure she will get there?
Maybe a kong? Puzzle? Snuffle mat as a routine when you turn the TV on? To link a powerful association with TV usage?
You could try a Licki mat in the room with you. Build up the volume of the TV gradually. Dogs are very sensitive to high pitched noises. Is it possible your tv could be emitting a sound you cannot hear(I.e if it’s an old tv) No idea how you would test that other than ask a young person if they can hear it!!
Cooper is not afraid of the TV, but she goes nuts when there are Dogs on TV. She does not react to live dogs, just to dogs on the TV. (Sometimes horses, cats and other animals as well). I assume it is because they appear, but have no scent. She may react to either the picture or the sound.
I'd second the gradual desensitisation plan. Turn it on with no sound at first, then as long as she seems comfortable turn it up one notch every few minutes. On a side note, if she's bothered by the tv (and given the lack of opportunities for socialization at the moment) i'd think about getting a noises and sounds cd to play in the home in general. One with traffic sounds, crowds, fireworks etc. Have it on really low to start with then increase the volume over the course of several days. Let us know how she gets on!
Thanks everyone for the feedback! It doesn’t seem to be sound I don’t think. She has no issues when we’re playing things on our phone or computers, seems to only be from the tv. Even if we mute. We are going to continue trying the gradual desensitization. We seem to successfully be able to distract her for between 30 seconds and a minute now. Not sure if this is good progress or not, she still runs off an hides under the bed after the minute. But we will keep trying and keep everyone updated! thanks again!
