Yesterday I bought a dog choker chain, but it’s not for him. I bought it to lock my bicycle up when out and about.
Brownie is a rescue adoption, I don’t know how he was treated before we got him, but I can clearly see that he knows what a dog choker chain is.
Brownie is a very good boy and doesn’t need a dog choker, I literally only bought it to lock my bike up with a combination lock.
Anyone have any advice? Or is he just gonna have to get used to the occasional sound of chain clatter and ultimately realize it’s not for him?
Poor Brownie, I have a rescue too and she’ll be fine one moment and then in a similar state to Brownie the next. When mine gets like that, I take her for a walk and that seems to break the spell so maybe something he likes to try and get his mind on to something else. Sometimes that doesn’t work so I just have to give her some time (usually just over night)
Another option might be trying to introduce your dog to the chain similarly to how people do it with vacuums and other things dogs don’t typically like. Lay it on the ground and encourage any sniffing or other interaction with treats, praise, or some other positive reinforcement so that he begins to associate the chain noise with good things. Eventually, start clattering the chain and continue the praise/treats when he is interacting or not showing fear.
I’m not sure if those ideas will help but it’s the best I got.
Oh, Brownie has been really cool about things like the vacuum cleaner. At first he was scared, but now he trusts us enough that we can vacuum his shedding fur right off of him!
Check my other comment when you get a chance…