Phobias caused by association

Phobias caused by association: There are occasions in which a dog's phobia is set off by something he associates his fear with. Lets say for example, that a dog freaks out every time he hears the pitter patter of the rain on the window seal, because he associates the sound of the rain with lighting and thunderstorms, even when at that moment there isn't any lighting or thunderstorm. A fear caused by a loud explosion, like a firecracker, can cause a dog to have a phobia every time he hears a balloon pop or a chair fall on the ground etc. If a dog has gotten scared in the garden or in the car, it's possible the may not want to go out there again. There are also dogs that experience phobias while out on walks and where dragging them out of the house is the only solution, and when they are left off the leash, they run toward the house, in total fear. These types of special cases require special help. You should take the dog to the veterinarian so he can suggest a medication for the dog, a psychologist, or a behavior specialist. These types of problems usually have a very complex origin and it's necessary to go to a specialist so that he can find the root of the problem and then prescribe the most adequate treatment.

Questions and answers
Q: My Labrador Buda and I always went out for drives in the car together. Buda always enjoyed our rides until one day someone crashed into us. Ever since then, Buda refuses to get into the car with me. What should I do?
A: You can start out by trying to feed Buda outside, someone where he can see the car, but make sure it isn't too close. Order him to sit and put the food in front of him. You can add a special treat in his bowl to increase his interest in the food; continue trying this several times a day. Do not allow him to eat unless he is calm. Go getting closer to the car little by little every day until he ends up eating right next to it, and then in it. You should then repeat this exercise by turning on the car while the dog eats (make sure you only feed him a little though in these cases). Then take the dog on very short rides. This exercise will have to be done many times before getting to the next step, but Buda will eventually get over his fear if you keep it up.