Windshield Wiper Phobia

[TigerLilly]

Tiger Lilly isn't afraid of much but the one thing that does scare her is the windshield wipers.  At first, they needed to be replaced so they were a little noisy but I'm not sure sound is the problem.  It's gotten to the point where she shakes whenever in the car now and she loved car rides before.  I think it's more so the movement then the sound because I covered her eyes and turned them on to see what happened and she didn't flinch or cower like she does when she can see them.  I figured taking a bag of treats in the car and turning them on once or twice would help her recognize them as a good things but it didn't work.  She gets so scared she doesn't even realize her favorite treat is right in front of her.  I showed her the windshield wipers and that they move (just a little) from the outside without a problem.  I'm glad we live in a desert and not somewhere like Washington state :-).  Any suggestions on how to get her over her fear?

[Geno]

Most dogs are single minded like that. If they're concentrating on something that scares or excites them, they won't be interested in a treat. She needs to face the fear. Don't baby her when she's fearful, that only re-enforces it.

Try giving her a treat first and while she's nibbling, then turn the wipers on 1 time. If she keeps nibbling, or stops then goes back to the treat, praise her. Repeat until she ignores the wiper then do it again for 2 wipes. Keep the sessions short. Dogs read people very well, so stay positive, she'll get it if you work with her.

Geno

[Yukon]

How often do you use the wipers?  Maybe try taking her on some car rides, with treats, without the wipers.  When she is comfortable in the car again, then try slowly desensitizing her to the wipers...

[TigerLilly]

Thanks for the suggestions.  Unfortunately no matter what kind of treat is in front of her in the car with or without the windshield wipers she won't touch it.  I did start only taking her in the car when it wasn't raining and was trying to get her comfortable in the car without the windshield wipers again.  However I no longer have access to a car so Tiger Lilly isn't doing many car rides.  She has done a few bus rides and has done really well.  She even took a treat once while in the bus.  Her anxiety and shaking has settled so I'm hoping that once she's in a car again that'll continue and she'll realize that windshield wipers aren't so scary .

[dufzach]

Tucker does the same thing at night when the shadows come at him in the back of the car. he has progressively gotten better in the car since we got him. however at night its a different story, i cant even get him to walk near the car. i guess that could be a good thing ha. but we just torture him by taking him on night rides now and hope he will beat the fear.