Quote Originally Posted by mimitabby View Post
my friend who is a dog trainer said:

One thing that might have happened is that the dog is being reinforced for
the wind behavior for the last 7 months. I can't tell from her description
what she has been doing when the behavior is happening. I'd like more
specific information.Mari
Wow, thanks for asking on my behalf.
Finn is a basenji-corgi cross. She's ~2 and was housed outside under a tree in a small (2x3 ft) wire mesh kennel for several months before I adopted her. She had the audacity to get pregnant and her former owner didn't want her running loose so it wouldn't happen again (I've figured out other ways to make sure she doesn't get pregnant again, but we won't go there ).
The only dog experience I have is with my extremely fear aggressive mutt (in my avatar), Being inexperienced when I adopted him I didn't realize how bad he was - even though several people (including a trainer I hired to help me and my vet) told me he needed to be put to sleep. I’ve come a long way with him and he no longer “needs” to be put to sleep, but he still can’t be trusted around anything or anyone that might make him nervous (which is pretty much anything or anyone). But I digress. But, I know not to tell her fear is 'OK'.
When she gets scared she either runs around in circles or she tries desperately to get as close to me as she can, but will only sit a minute or two before having to run around and cry. Then she returns and tries to crawl into me, then runs around and cries... all night long. I've been mostly 'ignoring' this behavior except for trying to get her to lie down and sleep when she lies down.
I don’t know the cause of her fear. We very rarely get thunder here. She is, however, very afraid of noises in general. When a crowd applauded, and Finn jumped from my feet to the top of my head (I was seated) and tried to recreate a scene from Alien. If someone drops something near her she jumps and runs. If I raise my voice to her she falls over on her back… Cars, bicycles, joggers, etc don’t bother her in the least as long as they don’t make noise. The wind fear could be things moving around. Tonight will be the real test if we have the predicted 45 mph winds.
Murphy, my other dog, made a cubby hole for himself in my closet, and she’s taken it over. I will setup a covered crate in my bedroom tonight and see how she does. She seems to prefer to be crated in a car.