PTSD - Puppies get it too

We have an extremely sensitive smoke detector in our apartment. It's actually pretty annoying - I've been tempted to destroy that thing on a number of occasions. Except for that fact that it's illegal - and indestructible! Don't tell, but I took the batteries out one night after it would.not.stop. beeping and it still beeped. Grrrr...

As it turns out, we also have a very sensitive dog. She is absolutely frightened of the smoke detector noise and therefore she is now scared of the kitchen at dinnertime. She has made the connection and pretty much lives in fear of that noise. Anytime we cook - which is often - she runs and hides. It is so sad, because she is pretty much inconsolable during that time. She won't even take treats!

If we're doing something simple, like boiling noodles or browning ground beef, we'll let her have some just to show her that everything is ok. It is pretty effective. But if we are making bacon then one of us has to take her outside. Sizzling bacon grease on the stove is pretty much a sure thing for the smoke detector.

I feel so bad for her! I'm making bbq chicken tonight and she saw me preparing things and quickly ran into her crate.

Hopefully when we move out of this apartment, her PTSD will be cured.