dog is scared

Question
Hi,
We adopted a german shorthaired pointer cross dog about a year ago who is about 2 years old and his background is unknown. He is adorable and a real sook and has become the love of my boyfriend and i's life and the feelings mutual!
However, recently we experienced really high winds which caused havoc in gardens causing trees etc to fall down. Our dog was outside at the time and when i came home, a few things had moved around the garden from the winds, including his bed which was flipped upside down. I found him cowering in the corner of the garden.
He is kept at night in an open laundry area which is fenced off with a baby gate. He has never had any problems at night and has always been a dream at bedtime. But ever since the high winds,he refuses to get on his bed at night and will spend the beginning of the night wimpering and i really dont think he sleeps much. When he is asked to go on his bed (as per command) he does, but very apprehensively. He also seems to shake (which i believe is through fear) and wimpers when we go to work.
Do you think its the bed?? Any other ideas??
Please help
Sue
Melbourne Australia


Answer
He is developing separation anxiety,which is common after a traumatic event

But since it is fairly recent,I believe it can be fixed,without drugs

What the best thing would be to do,would be to find a trainer that can come to your house,and see the problems you are having with your dog,and find the best way to deal with it,as each dog is different

It is better to deal with it now,rather then later-as some dogs become so bad they have to be drugged,but it is better not to do that

Also something you can try before trying a trainer or if you have to wait for one,is to buy a CD or tape of natural sounds,like thunder storms ect and play it for him,but is he cowers ect just ignore him,as petting him would encourage the problem,,but when he ignores it,you can praise him so he knows it's nothing to be afraid of