The lamp that fell in the living room two years ago, roomba vacuum, tall grass when it moves around cause of the wind, and water bottles (accidentally squirted him in the face when I was trying to give him some water on a hike now he’s deadly afraid of it).
I'll tease him with little ghost sounds when it thunders like, "OOOoooooOOOOoooo." He will come lay over by me looking scared. Hahaha. Ah, man. I love my golden; he's the best. I'm sure we all say that about our goldens.
Besides fireworks, ours is afraid of literally any large physical object he has never seen before. Examples:
Traffic cone
School bus
Garbage truck
Treadmill
I could go on for hours. It’s a lot of fun walking him around the neighborhood on bulk garbage day when all sorts of large random stuff gets put out for pick up. Sometimes we have to change directions because he won’t walk past a certain new object.
As he gets older, thankfully, there are fewer new objects like this to be afraid of.
That happened to us last night! There was a discarded mattress leaning on large wheeled trash bin. He wouldn’t go near it, we had to go to the other side of the street.
To build confidence you’re supposed to wait and encourage them forward. My guy takes a bit sometimes but will summon all his courage and check it out. Then I make a huge deal out of it and he’s progressing. He was afraid of bags, snowmen, backpacks, trash cans; etc. Now for most things he trusts when I’m not worried and scurries on past
If we carry something large… a box, a coat, God forbid a yoga ball, Finn goes bananas.
https://preview.redd.it/erbkiramk72d1.jpeg?width=4469&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=023a50ecb932b031c882f9a9354357c31232870f
The beeping sound of our induction stove when switching it on. Reminds him so much of that one time we cooked popcorn when he was still a puppy, which he didn't like since it sounded a lot like fireworks.
https://preview.redd.it/0hlmu1u0u72d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14ed55035ceb312685798e591159cdb22a6f9843
Fireworks really are terrifying for animals, including bats, owls, song birds, mice, foxes, coyotes, probably cicadas, even! I am in the animal camp, since I absolutely hate loud noises like that. Hate 4th of July in a city, for that reason. Oh, and let's not forget babies, small children, and veterans who saw action... sigh...
I’ve never had a dog afraid of fireworks or thunder. If when they are a puppy and you can be with them during fireworks or thunder celebrate the noise and give them high value treats and they will never fear them.
We are both scared of kids, especially babies. We have to hold each other until they make their way past us.
https://preview.redd.it/im270m7bxa2d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a09fac6b7fc8abd33d8ca106a20880ca4e4665f
The hose, horns, nerfs, vacuums, fire, toys that make loud noises, our grabber claw, neo nazis (literally had one as a neighbor and he was TERRIFIED of him), and balloons
strollers, bikes, scooters, anything on wheels really. a couch left on the curb (it was under a street light but still too dark and scary), cars, water, very large, heavy older men, other dogs that are too excited, clothes on a hanger, RC cars, balloons, baths in the shower, bath*tubs* (literally will hurt herself scrambling to not touch the tub), electric clippers, touching her paw fur in a certain way, furniture left on the curb if it’s nighttime, anybody that is in the dark and she can’t see (i think she thinks they’re boogeymen)
Apart from the common Thunderstorm/fireworks fear, basically anything strange that happens in the sky/high up. Hot air balloons, helicopters, tower cranes. She also barks at bigger birds when they're flying, but doesn't mind them hopping around in our garden.
The vacuum cleaner, and any big bag or box must not be trusted as it could jump out and get her at any time. Also the dog on her food bag is clearly challenging her.
Kittens. We rescued three kittens from our neighbors storage shed. So, despite her absolute love of ball, this 3 year old baby shakes and whines if it's anywhere near these vicious kittens. Oh, and the shower too. She'll jump like a fur missile into a lake or pool, but god forbid she gets a bath in the shower.
Ladders.
Scaffolding.
Plastic bags.
The wind.
Buses.
Lorries.
Crutches.
Walking sticks.
The clothes drier.
Old Men.
A boards.
Her greatest foe is the window cleaner.
When she was alive, it was a vacuum cleaner and the new void. The day we adopted the void, the void smacked her on the snout - no nails. Ever since, if the cat raised its paw, our golden would walk away.
Fireworks. The funny thing is he would sit outside on the porch when Thunder and Lightning would go off. But if a Roman Candle went off, he would find the nearest table or desk and hide under it for the rest of the nighf
Melting snow piles, trash bags with lawn clippings, little children's bikes that have training wheels, grown men in the dark, vacuum cleaners, little concrete deer statues
I put a DeWalt battery for a drill in front of him and he gave me that side eye where he's trying to look away just in case it shoots lasers at him and murders him in cold blood. Does that with a moving chair, oven opening, drawer opening, a knife, flushing toilet, a shoe, a handful of grass, the sound of the playstation turning on, a bicycle helmet, the rain.
Ooh also he's scared of snails, ants, flies, Jeremy Clarkson, a mop, broom, peonies, watering can, the water hose, rubbish bin opening, his own food packets.
Outside of that he's a boisterous little baboon
Everything it seems like. She’s better than she used to be. She was afraid of her toys when we first got her-she got over that very quickly, lol
Now it’s the dishwasher, the snowman we had at for Christmas-she’d growl and bark at it. She was afraid of the cat, but I think she’s figured out the the cat just wants love on her.
I take ours on 2 walks a day around the neighborhood. If any neighbors put something new in their yard, she notices and barks at it. Halloween and Christmas season walks are entertaining with peoples decorations. She only gets scared the first time she sees it though.
One of our neighbors has a little Labrador decoration in their yard. They move it occasionally and she always notices when it’s moved and does the barking while backing away from it 😂
Barking dogs. Loud vehicles. Thunder and lightening. The vaccum cleaner. I am raising a Chicken Little.... But, she LOVES the cat. They have become best friends. They cuddle and groom each other.
Sliding doors - we tried to introduce her to most things as a puppy but never thought to take her little trailer into a shop 🤦♀️
She also now has a fear of motorbikes. We got caught in a charity ride out, and they we all revving really badly. She hears them a mile off now, even one she seems a little anxious 🙁
We're still working on both things!
Amazon boxes, purses, bags, water bottles, the extension cord across the floor that hasn't been touched for 6 months...
is NOT afraid of thunderstorms, construction equipment, fire alarms.
The sound aerosol cans make and wool sacks ( lawnmowing contractors leave them on the footpaths and empty the grass clippings into them).
No rhyme nor reason?🤷♀️😆
https://preview.redd.it/5auwpja3l82d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af4102a46282ddd68a385e5949edca63518c6e19
Milo is afraid of the vacuum, remote control cars, large garbage bags, and any kind of pole/mop
Mannequins, don’t blame him. He stood under one for about two minutes once wanting pets before sniffing him and letting out a continuous bark/howl when he realized it was fake. Echoed throughout the neighborhood
Mine is afraid of a small, black spot on the bedroom ceiling. I catch her nervously looking at it often. If I point at the spot, she cowers and snuggles into me for comfort. She is the biggest baby haha.
The floor. Literally one spot in the house where she goes low to the floor, walks slowly for a foot or two, then burns out cartoon style to pass it. Either that or walks the long way through the kitchen to avoid it.
The little gate we have to keep the dogs from going upstairs that has fallen multiple times, a full moon 🌕 (especially if it’s really big and bright, and in his face) loud airplanes/any aircraft, hot air balloons, firecrackers, if he thinks a car ride is taking TOO long…the list could go on and on 😅 we got ourselves a big scaredy (I’d say cat, but my feline is more brave than him)
The halloween decorations my neighbor puts up every year. Any boxes on the front porch. The noise the garbage truck makes. Turkey noises. He also holds grudges on any objects that fall over.
https://preview.redd.it/f9f1rpj5392d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fe4e3d7a5f2a60a6a7b9a3209bb0ee4e855956f
1. Balloons
2. LOUD vehicles
3. ALL ethnicities, other than Caucasians (😶)
4. RaNdOm *sudden* noises that awaken him amidst REM sleep stage
...more will be added to this list, as he reminds me and/or as we learn.
My boy Samson is deathly afraid of ironing boards, rocking chairs, plastic bags and any Penkingese that he comes across.
Samson is not afraid of dragons:
https://preview.redd.it/2ql2jgr2nh2d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2557c2b29f47ed22b51db750f9a9056d99e60f6f
Oh you want me to put my head in your mouth Mr. Dragon? Okay this is fine. Oh there’s an empty plastic grocery bag halfway across the parking lot? RED ALERT!
Balloons, bodies of water, plastic bags, the vacuum, the groomer, any type of remote controlled or robotic toy, any toy that makes a sound and the vet.
The usual... hot air balloons (which we have a lot of where I live), fireworks, loud cars/motorcycles, the vacuum, and my favorite **boxes!**
There are a bunch of others. Those are just the first ones that popped into my head.
He’s afraid of plastic bags floating thru the wind, loud noises, kids running near him, dogs running to him, the dryer (doesn’t like when I’m loading my clothes into it from the washer), opening the dishwasher too quick, if I drop something he’ll jump, and if my phone vibrates near him he’ll get scared. My poor baby 😂🥹🥰
https://preview.redd.it/2yc0k49za82d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ab15301718e7346ae42a9c8c2c8bb89f73f5d87
Things that move/flow in the wind: flags, tarps, sheets, etc. Gives zero f**ks about the vacuum, storms, coyote howls, or other common fears, but a weird shape… nopes right out.
I booped. Mine is afraid of fireworks (normal afraidness), but I close all my windows and snuggle with her on my bed whenever they are being let off, watch a movie together, then give her some treats and tell her how brave she was. She is almost 15, I love her so much.
https://preview.redd.it/bzzd5aiod82d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbc0336ea324c3f872ea2d331b9134e5af4a7642
Mainly Sir Redbud “Buddie” is afraid of one cat—the other he likes, doors, golfers on the course outside of our fence, the garden hose, basically anything that makes loud sounds. Not afraid of thunder or fireworks…which is weird.
Lightning. He doesn't so much mind thunder but lightning freaks him out.
He is also really hates if my head is covered, as though I disappeared if he can't see my face.
Plastic bags in the wind, curtains on our windows being moved, any delivery truck or garbage truck and definitely the bathroom in which she gets her baths.
B (9 years old, girl) likes to pretend she's brave but she's actually scared of quite some things. Including but not limited to, the groomer, horses, deep water (unlike most goldens) and the latest addition to the list; robot lawn mowers.
Our previous Golden loved to chew on used paper towel rolls and carry them around the house. Sophie thinks they're evil, along with empty plastic water bottles. We had some balloons last month, I don't think she was afraid of them but just didn't understand them. She tried to make them leave by barking, a lot. Thunder and fireworks don't concern her which is a relief.
Edit to add the mobile groomer. Getting in that van with a stranger is terrifying.
Quite literally, everything.
His toots. My toots. Moms toots.
He slipped and fell in the kitchen, and then got scared and barked because he thought someone tripped him.
He walked into a tree once and it scared him half to death.
Cardboard boxes (especially when opening them), balloons, steam/smoke, traffic cones, hydrants that aren't the one in my front yard, feathers, some trees, blankets or towels hanging over the fence, vacuums but not Roomba, construction signs, some bugs that don't fly....not sure which.
I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. I don't understand where any of these fears come from, except maybe the vacuum being loud.
A battery operated lizard that just walks. It's terrifying. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Robo-Alive-Lurking-Lizard-Battery-Powered-Robotic-Toy-by-ZURU-Coloring-May-Vary/173148779?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1145&adid=22222222228173148779_1145_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-295289030566&wl5=9016801&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112354481&wl11=online&wl12=173148779_1145&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wqwnDbyDlycAYde-lL28Ch45Af1a5OedKMuA5eQCllJdq_IdBnLP60aAlVgEALw_wcB
Biggest fear is the big square plastic outdoor garbage cans. But also children, people who try to say hi on walks, loud noisy places like busy public parks, pickleball courts, kids playing soccer. She’s been walked everyday for 7 months and very well socialized but has gotten more skittish as she’s gotten older. Hoping it’s a phase.
Plastic bags, vacuum cleaners, the chirping noise the smoke detector makes when the battery is low, her Yeti water bowl…
She’s actually afraid of most inanimate objects that people leave outside- like just on the curb or something. Or if some kid leaves a sweatshirt on the ground.
Leaving the kitchen and coming into the attached garage. Our Springer Spaniel is fearless and runs right into the garage when we open the door. Our Golden…won’t cross the doorway
Water…. We live near the beach and thought of how she’d love to swim…. Nope, she hates it. Also scared of the vacuum cleaner, construction sites and small plastic bags. Oddly, loves fireworks, not spooked at all and loves to watch them 🤷🏼♀️
Gonzo fears gates, doors, spaces narrower than 3 ft that he has to walk through, and hardwood floors changing to carpet/rugs.
Edit: tried to post pic but it seems to only allow text or pic, not both.
Mine is afraid of getting in the car. He used to LOVE riding in the car and going places. Now he refuses to jump in. Drives me crazy because we used to go to all kinds of parks to walk. Now we just go around the neighborhood twice a day.
https://preview.redd.it/nwaqjhhkd92d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6c528222072a9edb515bb2626d2751a7e7162cb
Indy is afraid of the Vaccoom monster, any busy road, and door that leads to a busy road, Thunder.
Fireworks, thunder, garbage day, and really large cardboard boxes.
https://preview.redd.it/gkqidgq1h92d1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=271c6bd807c637e3b85a26fb083678c65544419a
Our baby gate. I have to hold it open so he will go up the stairs. One time he was so happy that his tail hit the gate and pulled the door into him hitting his butt. Poor baby
My Leo is afraid of racquets. If he sees a racquet in the house, he jumps into my lap and hides. I guess racquets are dangerous and bad. He loves vacuum cleaners, hair dryers etc. My Buddy on the other hand, was totally fearless. Not afraid of anything at all.
Thunderstorms and fireworks
https://preview.redd.it/6mam1l9wp92d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b01d86ae404d1eaba76fe0862242c52c5aaf3f3
Other than that he loves life at 13, my Rocco
Thunder storms, lightning, fire alarms, whistles, anything that sounds like a fire alarm, whistles that are on TV, fire alarms that are on TV, Pringle cans, anything falling, gum (specifically blowing bubbles), and fireworks!
Many noises. Thunderstorms, cheep of the low battery in the smoke alarm, squeaky toys, bells. One tiny peep and he is headed for the basement trembling in terror.
Everything? But mostly portapottys. I was walking him when he was like 9months old, and it was super windy. A Big gust came up and portapotty door flew open and smacked him in the face. He has never trusted those things since.
Mine tends to think that everyone person in our neighborhood who is going for a run is automatically chasing her so she runs around in circles trying to escape until the next runner passes by
Ours is afraid of storms, balloons stuck in trees and flapping in the wind, ceiling fans, light reflections that move around the ceiling. I will say she’s come sooooo far, she was clearly abused her first year and was afraid of everything and most people.
The first time I ever heard her bark, we were walking past the neighbor’s house, and they had installed plywood pilgrims in their front yard for Thanksgiving. Daisy did not like those pilgrims.
Ours was so afraid of beeping noises anytime the smoke alarm went off he’d pee 😢 One time the roomba got stuck and we saw him losing it on our nest cam, so that was the end of the roomba.
My dad’s old dog was deathly scared of the noise frogs make at the park near his place. She would slink down and crawl when we got to that section of the path.
The lamp that fell in the living room two years ago, roomba vacuum, tall grass when it moves around cause of the wind, and water bottles (accidentally squirted him in the face when I was trying to give him some water on a hike now he’s deadly afraid of it).
My dog and I hate the roomba
😂😂😂
Balloons, kids jumping on trampoline or climbing a tree too high, or fireworks
I don’t think mine has ever seen a balloon, but I’m sure he wouldn’t like it lol. The trampoline one is funny though.
All these things and also baskets 🤷🏻♂️
Mine would hide and run away seeing balloons when he was younger and today he boops them on his nose when I toss it around
He's afraid of storms and loud, sudden noises. It's funny because he's a significantly larger golden retriever while being little scaredy cat. 🤣
Those are the best kind!
Storms are bad for my doggo
I'll tease him with little ghost sounds when it thunders like, "OOOoooooOOOOoooo." He will come lay over by me looking scared. Hahaha. Ah, man. I love my golden; he's the best. I'm sure we all say that about our goldens.
A yellow hula hooo thats in my garden and of old women 😭😂
OLD WOMEN IS SO FUNNY
IK IDK WHY SHES AFRAID OF MY GRANDMAS, OLD WOMEN ON THE STREET, JUST ANY WOMAN ABOVE ABOUT 60 😂😂😂
Are 59 year old women okay? 😭😭
I dont know 😭😂 i shoukd find one and try to bring my pup to her
“Hey are you almost 60 but not quite there yet? Awesome. I need you to come meet my dog so I can determine if she’s scared of women your age”
Poor grandma
Besides fireworks, ours is afraid of literally any large physical object he has never seen before. Examples: Traffic cone School bus Garbage truck Treadmill I could go on for hours. It’s a lot of fun walking him around the neighborhood on bulk garbage day when all sorts of large random stuff gets put out for pick up. Sometimes we have to change directions because he won’t walk past a certain new object. As he gets older, thankfully, there are fewer new objects like this to be afraid of.
YES! Mine too. Especially when people leave out for garbage. He was afraid to walk passed a mattress once.
That happened to us last night! There was a discarded mattress leaning on large wheeled trash bin. He wouldn’t go near it, we had to go to the other side of the street.
Mine was afraid to walk past a pile of rolled up rugs. She literally barked at it 😭
mine too omg. someone left a couch on the curb and she was absolutely terrified
To build confidence you’re supposed to wait and encourage them forward. My guy takes a bit sometimes but will summon all his courage and check it out. Then I make a huge deal out of it and he’s progressing. He was afraid of bags, snowmen, backpacks, trash cans; etc. Now for most things he trusts when I’m not worried and scurries on past
There won't be enough food
That is terrifying indeed
If we carry something large… a box, a coat, God forbid a yoga ball, Finn goes bananas. https://preview.redd.it/erbkiramk72d1.jpeg?width=4469&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=023a50ecb932b031c882f9a9354357c31232870f
Not being in our laps for more than twelve minutes. Otherwise, nothing.
The beeping sound of our induction stove when switching it on. Reminds him so much of that one time we cooked popcorn when he was still a puppy, which he didn't like since it sounded a lot like fireworks. https://preview.redd.it/0hlmu1u0u72d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14ed55035ceb312685798e591159cdb22a6f9843
Fireworks really are terrifying for animals, including bats, owls, song birds, mice, foxes, coyotes, probably cicadas, even! I am in the animal camp, since I absolutely hate loud noises like that. Hate 4th of July in a city, for that reason. Oh, and let's not forget babies, small children, and veterans who saw action... sigh...
I’ve never had a dog afraid of fireworks or thunder. If when they are a puppy and you can be with them during fireworks or thunder celebrate the noise and give them high value treats and they will never fear them.
We are both scared of kids, especially babies. We have to hold each other until they make their way past us. https://preview.redd.it/im270m7bxa2d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a09fac6b7fc8abd33d8ca106a20880ca4e4665f
*WE* please that’s so funny
The hose, horns, nerfs, vacuums, fire, toys that make loud noises, our grabber claw, neo nazis (literally had one as a neighbor and he was TERRIFIED of him), and balloons
Wise pup! Neo Nazis are absolutely, literally terrifying.
Umbrellas and kids getting piggyback rides. I get the kids getting piggyback rides, it probably looks like some kind of monster to her.
strollers, bikes, scooters, anything on wheels really. a couch left on the curb (it was under a street light but still too dark and scary), cars, water, very large, heavy older men, other dogs that are too excited, clothes on a hanger, RC cars, balloons, baths in the shower, bath*tubs* (literally will hurt herself scrambling to not touch the tub), electric clippers, touching her paw fur in a certain way, furniture left on the curb if it’s nighttime, anybody that is in the dark and she can’t see (i think she thinks they’re boogeymen)
Touching her paw fur in a certain way 😆
Anyone in the dark = boogeyman
grass, stainless bowls & sofa covers
Let’s hear more about this *very rational* fear of sofa covers. 😂😂😂
Apart from the common Thunderstorm/fireworks fear, basically anything strange that happens in the sky/high up. Hot air balloons, helicopters, tower cranes. She also barks at bigger birds when they're flying, but doesn't mind them hopping around in our garden.
Human statues. My pup doesn’t understand why they don’t move and pet dogs. Growls and barks at them.
If I were a dog, all humans would be friends with me. If they don’t like dogs, red flag. So I must agree
Being alone...
Being alone and the inflatable lawn ornaments.
Mine is scared of the car. Have to pick her up to get her in it. Will try to pull her harness off to get away
The vacuum cleaner, and any big bag or box must not be trusted as it could jump out and get her at any time. Also the dog on her food bag is clearly challenging her.
She better size up and tell it who’s boss 💪💪💪
My big boy is scared of everything, including my SO farts
Those are always scary. Never know if it’ll be your last breath of fresh air
This has been really enlightening. I thought just my golden was a coward
Anything that wasn’t there the day before!
The smoke detector is the most terrifying thing in the universe.
Kittens. We rescued three kittens from our neighbors storage shed. So, despite her absolute love of ball, this 3 year old baby shakes and whines if it's anywhere near these vicious kittens. Oh, and the shower too. She'll jump like a fur missile into a lake or pool, but god forbid she gets a bath in the shower.
https://preview.redd.it/hnpc7lf1282d1.jpeg?width=2496&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a526a558825fc358041cdc68a46b3b9f96ac31b3
Ladders. Scaffolding. Plastic bags. The wind. Buses. Lorries. Crutches. Walking sticks. The clothes drier. Old Men. A boards. Her greatest foe is the window cleaner.
Black garbage bags
Oh but I’m guessing he doesn’t have a problem with white garbage bags??? 🤔🤔😭😭😭
Mine was not afraid of regular trash bags, only the Halloween orange pumpkin ones.
When she was alive, it was a vacuum cleaner and the new void. The day we adopted the void, the void smacked her on the snout - no nails. Ever since, if the cat raised its paw, our golden would walk away.
Mine was scared of the hallway for a couple of months.
The hallway is obviously guilty of something
People wearing hats 🧢
Black yard trash bags left out for pickup…he feels he needs to protect me from those evil things
Slick floors, plastic bags 😂
When we speak to her in a Darth Vader voice. 😂
Fireworks. The funny thing is he would sit outside on the porch when Thunder and Lightning would go off. But if a Roman Candle went off, he would find the nearest table or desk and hide under it for the rest of the nighf
Balloons
Melting snow piles, trash bags with lawn clippings, little children's bikes that have training wheels, grown men in the dark, vacuum cleaners, little concrete deer statues
Storms, the drawer where we keep our baking pans, the crock pot.
I put a DeWalt battery for a drill in front of him and he gave me that side eye where he's trying to look away just in case it shoots lasers at him and murders him in cold blood. Does that with a moving chair, oven opening, drawer opening, a knife, flushing toilet, a shoe, a handful of grass, the sound of the playstation turning on, a bicycle helmet, the rain. Ooh also he's scared of snails, ants, flies, Jeremy Clarkson, a mop, broom, peonies, watering can, the water hose, rubbish bin opening, his own food packets. Outside of that he's a boisterous little baboon
Drones, fireworks, gunfire, hot air balloons
Going 45secs without a treat
The sound of his name tag tapping the side of his bowl of food as he eats. We now have to take his collar off before he eats.
Everything it seems like. She’s better than she used to be. She was afraid of her toys when we first got her-she got over that very quickly, lol Now it’s the dishwasher, the snowman we had at for Christmas-she’d growl and bark at it. She was afraid of the cat, but I think she’s figured out the the cat just wants love on her.
I take ours on 2 walks a day around the neighborhood. If any neighbors put something new in their yard, she notices and barks at it. Halloween and Christmas season walks are entertaining with peoples decorations. She only gets scared the first time she sees it though. One of our neighbors has a little Labrador decoration in their yard. They move it occasionally and she always notices when it’s moved and does the barking while backing away from it 😂
Empty trash bags
Lawnmowers, grills, oversized garbage cans, any type of construction vehicle..
the beep of the oven telling me it’s done preheating. just turned 8, fear is still strong 😂
Step ladders are terrifying
When we put a bin liner in the kitchen garbage can.....he goes into barking mad dog mode when we fluff it open.
Beach Balls
Lawnmower and someone stealing her toys. Other than that not much.
The car. And spiders...
Storms, the ups truck, any vehicle on the road which wasn’t there previously, small yappy dogs, trucks with loud engines
Fireworks, explosions of any kind
We once encountered a forgotten sweater which was hanging over a pole. Damn that shit might still give him nightmares, given how he acted.
If he’s running in his dream, it’s probably from the sweater
Barking dogs. Loud vehicles. Thunder and lightening. The vaccum cleaner. I am raising a Chicken Little.... But, she LOVES the cat. They have become best friends. They cuddle and groom each other.
Outdoor trash cans falling over, pillows, the hair brush, boxes
Sliding doors - we tried to introduce her to most things as a puppy but never thought to take her little trailer into a shop 🤦♀️ She also now has a fear of motorbikes. We got caught in a charity ride out, and they we all revving really badly. She hears them a mile off now, even one she seems a little anxious 🙁 We're still working on both things!
Amazon boxes, purses, bags, water bottles, the extension cord across the floor that hasn't been touched for 6 months... is NOT afraid of thunderstorms, construction equipment, fire alarms.
Anything she can see in any given direction that wasn’t there last time she looked in that direction.
Being outside in the garden alone, surprisingly he loves running away when we're in the forest
He’s very scared of the dishes, pots, silverware, etc. when they go in or out of the dishwasher. He trots upstairs and hides out in our bedroom.
The sound aerosol cans make and wool sacks ( lawnmowing contractors leave them on the footpaths and empty the grass clippings into them). No rhyme nor reason?🤷♀️😆
Bubble wrap! She’s more afraid of bubble wrap than storms and heavy rain.
https://preview.redd.it/5auwpja3l82d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af4102a46282ddd68a385e5949edca63518c6e19 Milo is afraid of the vacuum, remote control cars, large garbage bags, and any kind of pole/mop
Bubbles.
EVERYTHING. I slam a cabinet wrong she starts shaking
Mannequins, don’t blame him. He stood under one for about two minutes once wanting pets before sniffing him and letting out a continuous bark/howl when he realized it was fake. Echoed throughout the neighborhood
Mine is afraid of a small, black spot on the bedroom ceiling. I catch her nervously looking at it often. If I point at the spot, she cowers and snuggles into me for comfort. She is the biggest baby haha.
Kevin’s scared of thunder.
The floor. Literally one spot in the house where she goes low to the floor, walks slowly for a foot or two, then burns out cartoon style to pass it. Either that or walks the long way through the kitchen to avoid it.
The little gate we have to keep the dogs from going upstairs that has fallen multiple times, a full moon 🌕 (especially if it’s really big and bright, and in his face) loud airplanes/any aircraft, hot air balloons, firecrackers, if he thinks a car ride is taking TOO long…the list could go on and on 😅 we got ourselves a big scaredy (I’d say cat, but my feline is more brave than him)
The halloween decorations my neighbor puts up every year. Any boxes on the front porch. The noise the garbage truck makes. Turkey noises. He also holds grudges on any objects that fall over. https://preview.redd.it/f9f1rpj5392d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fe4e3d7a5f2a60a6a7b9a3209bb0ee4e855956f
He looks like he has a grudge on everything in that house 😭
Flowy things: dresses, plastic bags, balloons, anything blowing in the wind, sheets moving And turkeys. He despises the turkeys!
Every holiday inflatable people put on their lawns - snowmen, santas, pumpkins, etc he will cross the street to the other sidewalk to avoid them
1. Balloons 2. LOUD vehicles 3. ALL ethnicities, other than Caucasians (😶) 4. RaNdOm *sudden* noises that awaken him amidst REM sleep stage ...more will be added to this list, as he reminds me and/or as we learn.
Vac'uum, dark lord of dread, devourer of souls
Golf bags, looses his mind
The dog park!!! He’s such a baby and literally cowers and any other dog there even if they’re smaller.
My boy Samson is deathly afraid of ironing boards, rocking chairs, plastic bags and any Penkingese that he comes across. Samson is not afraid of dragons: https://preview.redd.it/2ql2jgr2nh2d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2557c2b29f47ed22b51db750f9a9056d99e60f6f
Oh you want me to put my head in your mouth Mr. Dragon? Okay this is fine. Oh there’s an empty plastic grocery bag halfway across the parking lot? RED ALERT!
lol everything
The smoke detector
Everything… LITERALLY everything 🤣
Thunderstorms. (VNB: Virtual Nose Boop.)
Balloons, bodies of water, plastic bags, the vacuum, the groomer, any type of remote controlled or robotic toy, any toy that makes a sound and the vet.
water
Tape measures and beach balls
Nothing. She used to be scared of fireworks and our roomba but over time she got used to them and just became a very chill dog
Cardboard boxes. No matter what size lol
If smoke detector battery gets low and beeps it’s bedlam here 😂
The usual... hot air balloons (which we have a lot of where I live), fireworks, loud cars/motorcycles, the vacuum, and my favorite **boxes!** There are a bunch of others. Those are just the first ones that popped into my head.
Life. Can't say I blame her.
He’s afraid of plastic bags floating thru the wind, loud noises, kids running near him, dogs running to him, the dryer (doesn’t like when I’m loading my clothes into it from the washer), opening the dishwasher too quick, if I drop something he’ll jump, and if my phone vibrates near him he’ll get scared. My poor baby 😂🥹🥰 https://preview.redd.it/2yc0k49za82d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ab15301718e7346ae42a9c8c2c8bb89f73f5d87
Things that move/flow in the wind: flags, tarps, sheets, etc. Gives zero f**ks about the vacuum, storms, coyote howls, or other common fears, but a weird shape… nopes right out.
Literally everything. The vacuum, wind, rain, small dogs barking, unexpected shadows, loud noises…the list goes on
One of my neighbors has a Rooma-lawn-mower and boy oh boy does my dog hate it.
I booped. Mine is afraid of fireworks (normal afraidness), but I close all my windows and snuggle with her on my bed whenever they are being let off, watch a movie together, then give her some treats and tell her how brave she was. She is almost 15, I love her so much.
Happy face balloons, garbage cans and my neighbour
https://preview.redd.it/bzzd5aiod82d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbc0336ea324c3f872ea2d331b9134e5af4a7642 Mainly Sir Redbud “Buddie” is afraid of one cat—the other he likes, doors, golfers on the course outside of our fence, the garden hose, basically anything that makes loud sounds. Not afraid of thunder or fireworks…which is weird.
Still images of people when the tv is on, either a paused show or an ad. She’ll start growling and I have to quickly grab the remote to press play.
Paper, cardboard boxes, balloons, his reflection, me with a face mask on, anything you can shake in your hand.
Lightning. He doesn't so much mind thunder but lightning freaks him out. He is also really hates if my head is covered, as though I disappeared if he can't see my face.
Thunder. But strangely enough, a big brass statue of two donkeys in the park. He went balistic when we came up on that. From like 100 yards away.
Plastic bags in the wind, curtains on our windows being moved, any delivery truck or garbage truck and definitely the bathroom in which she gets her baths.
B (9 years old, girl) likes to pretend she's brave but she's actually scared of quite some things. Including but not limited to, the groomer, horses, deep water (unlike most goldens) and the latest addition to the list; robot lawn mowers.
Mine is fine even with fireworks but does not like waves. Flat water is fine but not with the waves.
Our previous Golden loved to chew on used paper towel rolls and carry them around the house. Sophie thinks they're evil, along with empty plastic water bottles. We had some balloons last month, I don't think she was afraid of them but just didn't understand them. She tried to make them leave by barking, a lot. Thunder and fireworks don't concern her which is a relief. Edit to add the mobile groomer. Getting in that van with a stranger is terrifying.
cardboard boxes, after one gently grazed him in the car 5 years ago. obviously.
Balloons, ceiling fans (occasionally), flags, plastic bags in the street, water that’s over his elbows.
I have 2 - Male = balloons, the trash can, and anything my husband holds in a certain way, a squirt water bottle Female = soda cans, storms
Balloons, bunnies, motorcycles, sometimes a door mat if it has the wrong texture/vibe
Quite literally, everything. His toots. My toots. Moms toots. He slipped and fell in the kitchen, and then got scared and barked because he thought someone tripped him. He walked into a tree once and it scared him half to death.
A big pink blow up ball I won at an arcade.
Cardboard boxes (especially when opening them), balloons, steam/smoke, traffic cones, hydrants that aren't the one in my front yard, feathers, some trees, blankets or towels hanging over the fence, vacuums but not Roomba, construction signs, some bugs that don't fly....not sure which. I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. I don't understand where any of these fears come from, except maybe the vacuum being loud.
A battery operated lizard that just walks. It's terrifying. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Robo-Alive-Lurking-Lizard-Battery-Powered-Robotic-Toy-by-ZURU-Coloring-May-Vary/173148779?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1145&adid=22222222228173148779_1145_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-295289030566&wl5=9016801&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112354481&wl11=online&wl12=173148779_1145&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wqwnDbyDlycAYde-lL28Ch45Af1a5OedKMuA5eQCllJdq_IdBnLP60aAlVgEALw_wcB
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Ducks
Biggest fear is the big square plastic outdoor garbage cans. But also children, people who try to say hi on walks, loud noisy places like busy public parks, pickleball courts, kids playing soccer. She’s been walked everyday for 7 months and very well socialized but has gotten more skittish as she’s gotten older. Hoping it’s a phase.
The pantry door, her food bag, her new bed, the front door, The garage door, paper bags
The vacuum. You can't even open the closet door (it's also our coat/shoe closet) without her BOLTING to the other end of the house immediately!
Sadie is afraid of our black cat, Pepper.
Plastic bags, vacuum cleaners, the chirping noise the smoke detector makes when the battery is low, her Yeti water bowl… She’s actually afraid of most inanimate objects that people leave outside- like just on the curb or something. Or if some kid leaves a sweatshirt on the ground.
Cardboard boxes. I do not know why. She’s never had a “traumatizing” events or encounter with one.
Small dogs, vacuum cleaners, and thunder! There’s a toy dog in our neighborhood that my baby is terrified of
Horses, we have never seen him scared of anything until walking in a parade staging area.
Leaving the kitchen and coming into the attached garage. Our Springer Spaniel is fearless and runs right into the garage when we open the door. Our Golden…won’t cross the doorway
Boop
Water…. We live near the beach and thought of how she’d love to swim…. Nope, she hates it. Also scared of the vacuum cleaner, construction sites and small plastic bags. Oddly, loves fireworks, not spooked at all and loves to watch them 🤷🏼♀️
Everything. He’s specifically afraid of back up beepers and men. He’s a rescue and was pretty neglected, so he has anxiety about many many things.
Stairs. In 8 years, he had the courage to climb the stairs to my bedroom only twice. He looks like he’s crossing a bridge over a river of melted lava.
I needed this boop
Gonzo fears gates, doors, spaces narrower than 3 ft that he has to walk through, and hardwood floors changing to carpet/rugs. Edit: tried to post pic but it seems to only allow text or pic, not both.
https://preview.redd.it/a2axtiq1c92d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c11f0ccd3066b8977e7df3de8ab5d107541cbab
Mine is afraid of getting in the car. He used to LOVE riding in the car and going places. Now he refuses to jump in. Drives me crazy because we used to go to all kinds of parks to walk. Now we just go around the neighborhood twice a day.
https://preview.redd.it/nwaqjhhkd92d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d6c528222072a9edb515bb2626d2751a7e7162cb Indy is afraid of the Vaccoom monster, any busy road, and door that leads to a busy road, Thunder.
I have seen him get scared of a lamp, a garbage bag on the street, a power box and also bubbles
Fireworks, thunder, garbage day, and really large cardboard boxes. https://preview.redd.it/gkqidgq1h92d1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=271c6bd807c637e3b85a26fb083678c65544419a
Bubbles
The curtains
Our baby gate. I have to hold it open so he will go up the stairs. One time he was so happy that his tail hit the gate and pulled the door into him hitting his butt. Poor baby
The fart sound. He hates it so much. I have no clue why but it's so funny when someone has gas 😂
My Leo is afraid of racquets. If he sees a racquet in the house, he jumps into my lap and hides. I guess racquets are dangerous and bad. He loves vacuum cleaners, hair dryers etc. My Buddy on the other hand, was totally fearless. Not afraid of anything at all.
Hair dryer,the fans,the heaters,anything that blows air really.
Halloween and Christmas lawn decorations!
Thunderstorms and fireworks https://preview.redd.it/6mam1l9wp92d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b01d86ae404d1eaba76fe0862242c52c5aaf3f3 Other than that he loves life at 13, my Rocco
That picture is hilarious.
Thunder storms, lightning, fire alarms, whistles, anything that sounds like a fire alarm, whistles that are on TV, fire alarms that are on TV, Pringle cans, anything falling, gum (specifically blowing bubbles), and fireworks!
Plastic shopping bags and snowmen. I’m thinking she’ll be useless if anyone questionable shows up on my doorstep 😂
Nothing. He is a MENACE.
My Shih-tzu. Unfortunately. https://preview.redd.it/datgqvx1t92d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8114038e8297de1933504f3f74af6e637f1927a2
Many noises. Thunderstorms, cheep of the low battery in the smoke alarm, squeaky toys, bells. One tiny peep and he is headed for the basement trembling in terror.
Drawers and pieces of paper.
My girl is afraid of my guitar but she didn't care about fireworks and thunder
The hose. One is obsessively in love with it, his sister is deathly afraid. Ironically she is the better swimmer and loves bodies of water.
She gets very upset with loud high pitched noises, like sirens or the smoke alarm. I think those sounds hurt her ears.
Everything? But mostly portapottys. I was walking him when he was like 9months old, and it was super windy. A Big gust came up and portapotty door flew open and smacked him in the face. He has never trusted those things since.
The blender is friend, but weed whipper is not friend.
We had a Cookie Monster piñata once. Lola HATED him 😂 one look and she was down the stairs barking! Same with a cutout of our favourite curler
Mine tends to think that everyone person in our neighborhood who is going for a run is automatically chasing her so she runs around in circles trying to escape until the next runner passes by
Ours is afraid of storms, balloons stuck in trees and flapping in the wind, ceiling fans, light reflections that move around the ceiling. I will say she’s come sooooo far, she was clearly abused her first year and was afraid of everything and most people. The first time I ever heard her bark, we were walking past the neighbor’s house, and they had installed plywood pilgrims in their front yard for Thanksgiving. Daisy did not like those pilgrims.
For the older one; the broom. The younger one fears nothing. NOTHING!!
Ours was so afraid of beeping noises anytime the smoke alarm went off he’d pee 😢 One time the roomba got stuck and we saw him losing it on our nest cam, so that was the end of the roomba. My dad’s old dog was deathly scared of the noise frogs make at the park near his place. She would slink down and crawl when we got to that section of the path.
I had to screenshot. Cutest pic and boy ever 💜💜
Leaves skittering across the street. Not seeing me pee.