Jethro doesn't like garbage/recycle trucks....

[LeroyJethro]

He hates garbage/recycle day. He doesn't bark, or growl at them, he just acts nervous and runs to the window, watches them, then runs back to me and then runs through the house...well more like trotts....

He has never seen a garbage truck or recycle truck in person. He doesn't care for UPS or FEDEX trucks either....

Anyon else have this issue or know how to combat it? I just ignore him so as not to encourage the behaviour but I want him to be comfortable at all times....or at least ignore the trucks....

 

[rayofsun]

Sadie is terrified of all loud noises. If she's inside when she hears it, she doesn't pay it too much attention, but outside she jumps 40 feet into the air, haha. I'd say conditioning is the way to get her to ignore it, but I don't know how it's possible to get her used to the garbage truck. Just keep up with not petting her or reassuring her because that'll reinforce the unwanted behavior...maybe she will eventually ignore it since she realizes its not bothering you.

 

[srennie]

When we got Darby she was afraid of big trucks too. She'd bark and bark on garbage day and if we were out walking and one drove by she'd about jump out of her skin. What I did that got her over it was to purposley walk her on garbage day. We'd walk and walk and pass as many as we could find. If she got nervous I'd put her in a sit/stay, walk a circle around her, etc. to get her focus off the trucks and on to me. It took a while but she no longer reacts to trucks at all.

 

[whitscarl]

This might be a little late, but Vela is nervous around garbage trucks too and used to hate walks on garbage days. What I did was take her on walks and when we would see/hear the trucks approaching, I'd put a spring in my step (haha) and start chattering merrily, asking her what they were, telling her she was a good girl, etc. and then give her a treat. She's a little nervous of new/loud things in general so this is the approach I take to most things she's nervous around - see scary thing, get treat! Yay, now scary thing is awesome! This morning I walked her past this MASSIVE truck that was clearing huge piles of branches off the road and I was just like, hey Vela! What's that awesome truck! Oh my goodness! and she looked at it and then just ignored it and continued trotting on behind me. This ignoring scariness/making a game of it/giving treats approach has worked for me with a lot of new scary stuff.