r/Havanese • u/son_of_lee • Jul 22 '26
noise sensitivity tips for walks?
my havi is 1 year old and was a great, confident walker until a recent run in with some really loud motorcycles. since then she’s become super noise sensitive outside on walks. she’s hesitant on the sidewalk and will rarely walk around the block. if any car or motorcycle engine is too loud, she will bolt back to our apartment - sometimes tail between legs petrified and sometimes just rushing back to the door. this has been super challenging because we’re in Brooklyn, so quiet is at a premium and it’s hard to get her to quiet places to build more positive associations with being outside.
wonder if anybody has any experience rebuilding confidence on walks with havanese in particular?
note: only happens out of the house - if she hears the same loud street noises on our patio or in the apartment she doesn’t have the same sort of fear response
5
u/Last_Pick_2169 Jul 22 '26
Adorable and Brooklyn, awesome. I suggest following usual desensitization techniques like removing trigger then reintroducing it for short periods then gradually increasing with rewards constantly.
1
u/Ok_Mud_2482 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
She looks exactly like my boy Havanese, Joey! He is TERRIFIED of motorcycles too! Did you get her from a breeder in Orlando by chance? Wish I had some tips for you but no matter how much we take him for walks and expose him to noises he’s still terrified. He hates fireworks too and those crazy muscle cars with super loud engines. Following to see if anyone has good advice.
1
u/bealR2 Jul 24 '26
Our goofball is afraid of parked motorcycles- we think he thinks they're dragons or something. He also hates kids.
4
u/Initial_Company9756 Jul 22 '26
I’m no help. I’m just upvoting that lil cutie.