[Trent.Tidmore]

I wonder if this is some sort of response to an earthquake. Maybe he associates the A/C's vibration via the hull to an earthquake? Might try putting some rubber mats under the A/C unit to dampen the vibration. Also is there a way to have the relay click without the A/C turning on? I know the earthquake idea is pretty far fetched but animals do react to earthquakes.

Hmmm. Interesting hypothesis. I am not sure about the relay but shouldn’t be too hard to add vibration dampening.

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

Perhaps there is a low frequency rumble to the compressor or A/C mounting

That could be an easy(ish) test to change the mountings a bit, and see how the dog reacts?

 

[CLOSECALL]

So it sounds like you have been on the boat for two months and half that time your dog has been either terrified or drugged to near unconsciousness. How long until you understand that there may be a better place for him?

Ok, someone had to say it.

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

That could be an easy(ish) test to change the mountings a bit, and see how the dog reacts?

It is certainly worth a try.

 

[Skipper Jer]

Had another thought. There are solid state relays that can switch 120 VAC. Maybe replace the mechanical relay with a solid state relay which would eliminate the click. Amazon has them.

 

[shoffman57]

BTW: He is a cute little guy, I can see why you have put up with it so far.

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

Had another thought. There are solid state relays that can switch 120 VAC. Maybe replace the mechanical relay with a solid state relay which would eliminate the click. Amazon has them.

Thanks! I will check it out. Any little thing may be what makes the difference.

 

[SHNOOL]

unlike your house when the A/C kicks on, the boat A/C is vibrating the whole place. The dog is picking up on that, and associating the click with the impending earthquake he's feeling.

Sadly systematic desensitization will help, but beyond seeing if you can fix the mounts and smooth it out a bit, suggest you consider getting a white noise generator. one that does deeper white noise. They make nice battery powered ones.

Finally, and this is not meant to be harsh, but this is why crate training is really essential for all dogs. Dogs are den-raised by evolutionary history. Therefore their "safe space" is usually small tight places (which sounds like why he heads for the head). Suggest a nice open crate (crate not dog bed - you know at least 5 walls), with a cushy dog bed and perhaps soft walls (to remove the vibration feel). Dogs love to have their own space. Just a suggestion. Really nothing funnier than seeing how dogs love their own little place to stay.

With a soft sided crate that is small (dont' go big, just big enough 1.5 dog lengths and 1.25 dog heights), and the noise maker, and you might well help to desensitize without being harsh.

 

[rji-Iowa]

Seems to me you have to approach this in steps. Drill down, by a process of elimination, to what exactly is the problem.

1) Is it the "click" that sets the dog off? Or is it what comes after the click? If it is what comes after, then eliminating the click is a waste of time. See next step?

2) If you turn on the AC while the dog is absent and then come into the boat with the dog (after the click), does he have anxiety? Then you can rule out the click being a pavlov response. However, the running AC may have some environmental irritant to the dog. If he is fine, then it may just be the "click".

3) If you come in with just the air circulation running, does the dog have anxiety? If yes, then it may be the fans or air circutlation. Otherwise see #4.

4) If you come into the boat with the air circulation AND compressor running does the dog have anxiety? If yes, then it is probably something to do with the compressor?

This may not be a perfect example of your situation. But the process is the same. Through a process of elimination you should be able to figure out exactly what (maybe not why) is causing the poor little guy to have anxiety. It's probably one of the things mentioned above. But you need to rule out what is not the problem before you can tackle whatever the problem is.

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

unlike your house when the A/C kicks on, the boat A/C is vibrating the whole place. The dog is picking up on that, and associating the click with the impending earthquake he's feeling.

Sadly systematic desensitization will help, but beyond seeing if you can fix the mounts and smooth it out a bit, suggest you consider getting a white noise generator. one that does deeper white noise. They make nice battery powered ones.

Finally, and this is not meant to be harsh, but this is why crate training is really essential for all dogs. Dogs are den-raised by evolutionary history. Therefore their "safe space" is usually small tight places (which sounds like why he heads for the head). Suggest a nice open crate (crate not dog bed - you know at least 5 walls), with a cushy dog bed and perhaps soft walls (to remove the vibration feel). Dogs love to have their own space. Just a suggestion. Really nothing funnier than seeing how dogs love their own little place to stay.

With a soft sided crate that is small (dont' go big, just big enough 1.5 dog lengths and 1.25 dog heights), and the noise maker, and you might well help to desensitize without being harsh.

Thanks, I hadn’t really thought about getting him a crate but that makes a LOT of sense. He will have his own little safe space. And not harsh at all, I appreciate your valuable input.

 

[Quickstep192]

Dogs are funny people.

My recent rescue doesn’t like being left home alone, so we decided we’d take him with us everywhere we go. Then we found out he doesn’t like riding in the car even though 99% of our trips are to fun places. Vet also gave us trazadone and although the dog isn’t as anxious when he takes it, he becomes a very different and listless dog.

I’ll be following your progress closely and wish you the best of luck.

You may need to move north…

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

Dogs are funny people.

My recent rescue doesn’t like being left home alone, so we decided we’d take him with us everywhere we go. Then we found out he doesn’t like riding in the car even though 99% of our trips are to fun places. Vet also gave us trazadone and although the dog isn’t as anxious when he takes it, he becomes a very different and listless dog.

I’ll be following your progress closely and wish you the best of luck.

You may need to move north…

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[CrispyCringle]

I would work on de-sensitizing and not telegraphing being stressed out to the dog. De-sensitize by using the AC whenever you need it. And dogs are extremely aware of human emotions. Since you know the AC freaks him out, you probably make all kinds of comforting sounds and actions that may just reinforce the dogs feeling that something bad is happening. That's a normal reaction on your part. But maybe try just calmly petting the dog and going about your day. If it becomes a big production when the AC comes on, the dog will mirror that. Eventually, and hopefully, the dog will learn that nothing bad is happening. Maybe even learn that its good- you get to cool off.

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

I would work on de-sensitizing and not telegraphing being stressed out to the dog. De-sensitize by using the AC whenever you need it. And dogs are extremely aware of human emotions. Since you know the AC freaks him out, you probably make all kinds of comforting sounds and actions that may just reinforce the dogs feeling that something bad is happening. That's a normal reaction on your part. But maybe try just calmly petting the dog and going about your day. If it becomes a big production when the AC comes on, the dog will mirror that. Eventually, and hopefully, the dog will learn that nothing bad is happening. Maybe even learn that its good- you get to cool off.

Oh we stay calm and reassure him and don’t overreact. Dogs really pick up on the owner’s energy so we just try to distract him or make him lay down and calmly pet him.

 

[Ulladh]

Motors including compressors emit sound within human range and also at frequencies above and below human hearing. Some of the frequencies above and below our hearing range are within the hearing range of dogs. Has the AC always had this effect on the dog. If the effect is recient their may be a potential unbalance in the motor. Do other AC systems have the same effect on him?

 

[No Agenda]

I would get some "high value treats" and find a place on the boat that your dog isn't afraid when the A/C turns on or as far from the noise as possible give a tiny bit of the treat to let your dog know everything is ok. Turn on the A/C and give some treats. Do this a few times then move closer to the where your dogs becomes scared and repeat the process. Don't push to fast as this will take a few days because the next day you may have to start from square one or if lucky can move to the second or third spot from previous training. Try not to comfort your dog when it is afraid as this will reinforce the unwanted behavior. Usually after a couple of weeks dogs get over these fears. I have trained a few dogs that had separation anxiety that has a similar process to this type of training.
Hope this helps

 

[Pankito]

The high value treat is a good strategy. Also clicking the AC on and off before he gets into a full blown panic will work. You click on give a treat and click off. Keep doing it. It will work but requires patience and persistence. Also, the don't comfort the pup when panicking is right; you are reinforcing the behaviour.

We had the strangest thing with our dog. He would start barking when someone said "hola." That had to stop since we happen to live in Spain. . Same strategy outlined worked fine.

 

[Andrew6305]

So go to the butcher and ask for a cow joint (it’s the end of a cow bone)the meatier the better and place it front of the ac unit make sure the dog can’t move it (tape it to the ground zip tie etc…) make sure the ac is on and wait, if dog is stubborn throw more meat products on it. His natural instinct and his hungry stomach will kick in and override the fear, may take a few times but eventually he will be unaffected by the ac and also a little more portly lol

 

[Trent.Tidmore]

UPDATE: Paws is doing much better. The vet prescribed Trazadone which we gave him when he seemed too anxious. Over time we ended up giving him less frequent doses. Now he is pretty relaxed and only occasionally seems a little anxious but nothing like he was previously. Thanks to everyone in this wonderful community who gave some very creative solutions!

 

[Quickstep192]

He’s a cutie. I love those ears!

I’m curious, were you giving him trazadone on a regular basis before reducing the frequency of doses?

Our vet gave us trazadone to help with our dog’s fear of riding in the car. We usually only give it to him for long trips. I was wondering if giving it to him for every car ride would eventually make him less anxious about riding in the car and we could then gradually reduce the dosage.