Apparently My Dog's Former Owner Hit Him With A Fly Swatter

[chestnutmarebeware]

Poor Scout! He was dumped here as a half-grown pup two years ago, but for the first time I had to get a fly swatter out today to deal with several flies that got in while the door was open.

He ran and hid under the bed, but came out reluctantly when I called him. He sat with me, but shook like a leaf until I got rid of the swatter. Every time I touched it he ran away.

This is the only definitive sign I’ve seen that he was abused, but he’s always been terrified if he thinks you’re angry. He’s not scared by other things, so I assume the fly swatter was the weapon of choice. People suck sometimes!

[Sswor]

Don’t assume. Most dogs that I have had have cowered and/or ran and hid when I swat flies and I have never raised a hand much less a fly swatter to them. Doesn’t matter how often I reassure them. Swatting flies is a very aggressive, fast action that makes the swatter seem supremely P.O.ed in a dog’s eyes. I’m sure it’s seems like a random, sudden show of human aggression and violence to them, what with us creeping around and suddenly wacking things. How else are they supposed to take this?

[chestnutmarebeware]

You’re absolutely right, it’s a violent act. But he ran as soon as he saw it–before I started swatting. He never even saw me using it. And I just bought it today. Before this I used a rolled-up magazine and he didn’t blink an eye. I guess I’ll go back to my white-trash solution. Lol!

[BEARCAT]

I don’t think your dog was necessarily hit by a fly swatter. Mine abhors the thing and I know for a fact she’s never been hit with one. She is 9 and I’ve had her since she was 2 months old.
And yes, the mere sight of it sends her running off and hiding.

[khall]

I agree with Bearcat, I have a small terrier mix that I found at about 9 weeks old, now 9 I think. I pick up a lunge whip and he leaves, he also greets new people like he is going to be hit, used to submissive pee as well. He has never been hit a day since he has been with us.

[TC3200]

My cats runfrom the fly swatter, and I know they have never been hit by one.

[S1969]

If she’s upset when she thinks you’re angry, and is afraid of being “swatted” - yes she was likely swatted with something. And probably yelled at. I wouldn’t assume it’s a flyswatter, but it doesn’t really matter.

It’s possible she’s just a sensitive soul, but I’d err on the side of caution. If you crate her and she likes it; maybe put her in a crate with a treat when you use the flyswatter so she knows she’s safe. I would expect that her anxiety will lessen over time, especially if you’re careful with your actions.

It’s funny the connections they learn though; my older bitch was shuffled around a bit as a younger dog (between co-breeders, then out to a field trainer for a year). I think she was yelled at, whether in training or in the house…because if I yell at my cat (who is very annoying because she wants to go in and out 250 times a day), she will get anxious. She will actually come to me when the cat meows now - it took me forever to figure out the connection…but it was apparently caused by me “growling” at the cat (“argh you want to go out AGAIN??”) and now the dog comes to me when the cat meows in anticipation of me yelling. I feel kind of bad about it now so I am more careful.

[Nezzy]

We have one dog we rescued when he was over a year old. He is a very good dog. If you would pick up a magazine,or turn a page in it, he would jump up and get ready to run away. I know he had to have been hit with a rolled up paper or magazine. It took him a very long time for me to be able to read a magazine in the house without him freaking out.

[Marshfield]

Maybe, but maybe not. We use fly swatters as a source of noise and sight stimulus in one of the foundations classes I’ve taken. None of my dogs have ever been touched with a fly swatter. I had to buy one for class. All three were very disturbed the first time they saw the fly swatter. And that was just moving it, not actually hitting a fly