Parades

harley'smama · #1 10-12-2002, 11:55 PM

The high school Homecoming Parade came in front the house Friday so I decided to take the kids out front & sit on the porch & watch it. At the first sound of the police & firetruck sirens Harley freaked out. He jumped on the swing with me & Zoe. The closer they got the worse he got so I finally had to take him in the house. I left the front door open & every few minutes he'd come check to see what was going on but otherwise he was hiding in the bedroom in the back of the house. He was being such a chicken dog while little Zoe sat on my lap & watched the whole thing!!!
Every Halloween our town has a Parade with floats, bands, & the whole nine yards. This year I read they're having a new category - costumed dogs

like the Mardi Gras Parade does. I had bought Harley a fireman costume & want so badly to walk him in it but the way he acted with the little Homecoming Parade I'm afraid he wouldn't walk in it with me

Why did I have to get stuck with the chicken-dog??? Maybe I'll dress Zoe up & put her in a wagon & take her instead LOL
Any suggestions on how to get him over it??

Scorpio · #2 10-13-2002, 06:36 AM

Poor Harley, I got Ozzy used to loud noises , any noises by walking him past noises like the garbage truck we wud sit in the drive way and I would tellhim its okay and hold him, on walks if there was constructin etc, I would make him sit and tell him the same thing, eventully noises didn't seem to bother him anymore, I would do this with every new noise. Good Luck with the Parade.

boxmom · #3 10-13-2002, 07:44 AM

My Bailey was also a big chicken as a puppy. We took her to a couple of daddy's car races on the weekends and the loud engines scared her (they scared me too). I did what Scorpio was saying and just got her used to the noises and now she is fearless! I hope you are able to take them both to the parade--that sounds like a fun time for all!!! Hope you will post some pictures of it.

eduncan · #4 10-13-2002, 02:02 PM

Shannon, I too did what Scorpio said... On the fourth of July, there's fireworks all around our house, and the first time Mahlon heard them, he FREAKED!! After that, I made it a point to expose him to every noise I possibly could. I found that having treats on hand at all times was a big help too, every time something scary was about to happen, I would distract him with a treat, it worked great! Now he's pretty mellow in all situations! Good luck..