Hey folks! I've been searching for an answer to this one, but havn't been able to come up with anything yet... so here's my pup's problem:

He just turned 14 months old (GSD), and has been doing wonderful. He's been to ob classes, and starts another next month. He does great on walks, training is going great, very friendly and funny dog! His one problem seems to be bicycles. When ever we are out on a walk, and the kids or people in the neighborhood ride by on a bicycle, he goes into full panic mode. I mean full... like he needs to flee for his very life. I just act normal, like there is nothing out of the ordinary to be scared of, and have tried treats during this time, slow approaches to parked bicycles, etc. but nothing works. It's alway total terror.

I don't have a bicycle, since I can't really afford one right now, so I don't think me riding around on one is an option. What can I do about this? I really don't want the neighborhood people thinking that I own a 90-lb. out of control GSD. He's absolutely wonderful on everything else...

Thank you in advance!

-Lee

Maybe you could find a bike at a police auction to use to desensitize him? Other than that just try to walk closer and closer to bike racks to start.

I have a bullmastiff that had that same problem. The best thing you can do is comfort your dog. I had my nephews come over and ride bikes around my dog while I petted and asured him everthing was ok and he didn't need to worry. My dog was comfortable around my nephews and I think that was important.

Lee,

Have you tried having someone lay the bike down on it's side and letting your dog come up and sniff it to see what it is? Try that a time or two, then stand the bike up and have your dog check it out that way, each time reassuring it that it's okay. I'm sure after a few times your dog will be fine when around bikes outside.

My golden/collie used to be TERRIFIED of new shoes. She would hide under the bed for a whole day if we had them out in the room. We gradually had to "introduce" her to them and reassure her that she would be fine. Now, she couldn't care less.

Good luck!

I would try to set up situations that you can handle. Maybe you know someone with a bike? Or you can stop some of the people you meet (without your dog there) and ask if they are willing to help you?

You have to find the distance where the dog is comfortable and start working the dog there. If the dog can only go i.e. 50 feet before getting terrified, then work at 51 feet. Get your dog's attention on you and work on that. Once the dog does not even notice the bike any longer, slowly (slowly) get the bike closer and work your dog.

Finally, you should get to a point where you can go up to stationary bikes. After that you get someone to walk the bike around. When the dog gets to a point where he is comfortable that they walk by, then you can have them stop and I would definitely use treats.

Afterwards you go to people riding the bike.

Just make sure you get people to work with you and set up the situations. All you need is some smart-alec kid skidding to a stop in front of your dog -- that happened to my dog when she was a wee pup. I could have killed the kid. I worked with her with desensitization exercises and she is fine.

Thanks everyone! I have a call into a friend who has a mountain bike, and will start there.

One thing though, I didn't think I was supposed to comfort him during stress situations, because that would indicate something was out of the ordinary and therefore a reason to be scared?

Thank you!

-Lee

I had similiar situation with my dog only she was afraid of traffic. I have been told to act like it is no big deal (like you were doing) and just give it time with no pressure (like 2 days to get near caterpillar). Now i can walk with her into bussy yard with all machines working and she ignores them completely.

She is 7mo now.
I would not belive if someone told me my dog is going to sleep on a field with 3 other dogs around and train passing by <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> , whell untill suit comes on anyway...