Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > My dog has a real fear of bees

My dog has a real fear of bees

19 11:52:40

Question
QUESTION: Where I live we have these huge yellow jackets that are out in force now that the trees are blooming.  My dog (a rescued terrier/cattle dog mix is so absolutely terrified of even the sound of the bees he won't go out during the day.  I've had him for almost 5 years now and to my knowledge he's never been stung while in my care but I don't know what to do.  He literally has a melt down, shaking, cowering, and running as fast as he can in the opposite direction.  Can you help me or point me towards someone who can?  I've had dogs all my life, have never been without one in my care for more than a couple of days but I've NEVER had this kind of problem.
ANSWER: Well what you can do is to try and distract him with a toy or food,and as soon as he stops acting scared give him a treat and well as petting him and tell him good boy

If this does work,what you do is take him outside with a leash and a chock chain and as soon as he acts like that,'pop' the leash back and say 'leave it' loud and firm and as soon as he does,praise him with a treat and/or petting him

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I always go out with him and he's always on a leash.  I've tried the distractions of food and just walking as fast as we can out of the area of the bees but nothing seems to work.  I even tried carrying him to a place where the bees weren't so prevalent--and ended up getting nipped and scratched for trying.  Normally he's a very well behaved dog who is friendly towards everyone and very well trained but when the bees are around it's like he's another dog entirely.  I'm really afraid he's going to make himself sick or hurt himself trying to get away.  

Answer
Well since you have tried those things,now what you may want to do since you have tried just about everything(and I have given you all the info I can think of)is to call around to different trainers and see what they can come up with-this is one of the most unusual questions I have had

A trainer may be able to think of something that I can't come up with-and I don't want to give you the wrong advice,because that could result in you or the dog being injured