Accepted Answer

Thanks for the additional information,

If there is no light response (or very little) it certainly is possible that there is a vision issue. His anxiety could still be the main concern as far as his behavior but if his vision is poor it would add to uncertainty. I highly recommend having him examined to determine this for sure. There are things that can be done to correct/manage certain eye conditions. While a cataract or ulcer could be clearly visible, there are others that may only be visible during an opthalmic exam. Don't ever discount what you are witnessing. You are the best judge of what changes you see. Keep a log of what happens and when- also noting the lighting at the time of the occurrence. These will help a vet determine the issue.

I would be curious to see if you covered the first portion of the runner with a solid color towel (to contrast the hardwood flooring) if it improves the situation with the rug. If the vision is off, a solid color may be helpful. Since he only hesitates (which is not a serious problem) I would not suggest replacing the rug- only testing to see if a solid pattern makes a difference. That being said, it is fairly common for dogs who cannot walk well on hardwood to hesitate before walking on a runner. I suppose the reasoning behind this is to ensure they are walking on the "safe, non-slip" portion of the floor.

Either medication you were using could be used temporarily to help, but realistically, they are designed to help with the desensitization period. First, with your boy, we need to figure out what exactly that is. Spook-proofing an already spooked animal is difficult and time-consuming. You have to start with simple exercises such as sit-stay commands for treats. Do this in the same area of the house and do so consistently. Next, do things like put tape on your shoe soles so when you go to give him a treat you can make a slight crinkling sound. Dont wait until he reaches for the treat but rather do so during the whole episode. Do this until you believe he feels comfortable. Work your way up to louder sounds (like having a plastic bag in your pocket, etc) and then work on louder noises (start with tapping and go to a louder banging.) Go very slow between each phase and always ensure to reward him in an overly excited fashion. Over time, he could become more used to the different sounds and may not be as panicked when he does hear them. The most important thing is to work at HIS pace and do so in a comfortable environment.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you need additional information.

Best wishes to you BOTH,
Amy