How can I overcome my dog's fear?

[birdofprey]

Our Lab/collie is nine years old.

Years ago a vet hurt her and she associates the ringing of doorbells with this.

It is getting worse and we are finding it almost impossible to watch any television programme without her hiding behind the sofa and shaking.

Last night we had to turn the television off because she was so bad.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

[lankeela]

Try putting her on the lead and get a friend to ring your door bell, then give her a treat. Do this several times and maybe ask friends if you can do the same in their house, so she gets used to a nice experience with door bells that sound different. Also take her to the vets without having any treatment, sit in the waiting room and give her treats, and if possible get the vet to make a fuss of her. Okay it might cost you a consultation fee (but if you explain I am sure the vet nurses would be willing to make a fuss of her during quiet times). I show my dogs and they have to go on a table to be examined in the show ring. When they go to the vets I never put them on the table, in case they associate this with showing.

I have a similar problem, although not fear, when a doorbell rings on the telly my lot go ballistic as they try to con me there is someone at the door. Is it me or are there lots more doorbells on telly lately? One of them also does it if he hears a dogtag on a dog's collar on telly, such as Monica the greyhound on Corrie, and also Bullseye on Oliver Twist (although I think he heard him panting!). As I am typing this someone is recycling a Christmas tree and they are barking at the jingling of the ornaments they are taking down!

[Lil'Lucy]

What lankeela says is correct - I am interested to know how/why she associates the ringing of a doorbell with being hurt by the vet??

[birdofprey]

Thanks to lankeela for your constructive answer - some of the options are not available but it has given us some ideas.

In answer to Lil'Lucy: The original vet we used used to hurt her (in my opinion unnecessarily) and we soon changed practices. To gain entry one had to ring a bell and walk in.

For ages we could not understand why she disliked the ringing of bells on television and this is the only reason we can think of. However it has accelerated from the ringing of bells to any association with the programmes where bells have been rung. Therefore Morse used to walk into a little shop in Oxford and a bell on the back of the door would ring; now she only has to hear the Morse music and she starts shaking.

I hope this explains it a bit better.