any advice on breaking fear?

[Priorities]

any dog whisperer's out there?
We took Zito out for the first time this season and rather then his usual "uninterested" behavior like last year, now he seems a bit freaked out. doesn't mind when we're stopped but the minute I start the engine his ears go down and he trots into the cabin for solitary confinement, where he'll stay till we cut the engines. don't ask me how he takes the pounding in a chop but I keep visulaziing him bouncing off the ceiling every time we hit a wake. any ideas?
if you look close enough you'll note a dog trying to "blend" in.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/gursaek/pachanga/DSC01842.jpg

[FormulaOne]

[QUOTE=Priorities;27757]if you look close enough you'll note a dog trying to "blend" in.


That fur covered life vest has to get hot in the summer!! :devil:

Personally, Bam was in the boat since 5 mos. old and didnt really have a choice. Last year when she was a pup I always had a passenger who sat on the bench seat with her when underway....She never really minded unless we were really bouncing. Now that shes all "growed up" at a year and a half she doesnt mind sitting on the bench alone...Not that she has a choice this year...

I'd try having someone sit with him/her a few times in the cockpit.

[Priorities]

ya that's how we started, just holding him then eventually on his own in the back maybe we just need to start over. he never even dared go down in the cabin before..just worried he's going to leave a nice fat present for me if we don't fix this.

[THRILLSEEKER]

We'll send Switek over in the bug van;)

Gilligan at first was scared to death of gunshots, now he just kinda hangs out laying on the floor watching me. You can tell he isnt thrilled but he still hangs in there.

Take him on a boat ride every single night of the week for several weeks. He will get used to it and you will have fun. :D

[Ironmanwb]

Close the cabin door so he can't go down there and give him a treat when you fire the engines. Then he will associate the loud noise with a good thing rather than a bad one.

I did this w/ a cap gun w/ CJ before he ate everyday when he was a pup so that he would not be gunshy.