^ ^ NorthernAutumn, when I previously volunteered at a shelter, we brought several buns to their fall fundraiser which featured guest speaker Temple Grandin, Ph.D., book author with autism. Especially interesting in her talk was the brain cells of horses, and rabbits, and animals species in general. One animal was frightened of Nike tennis shoes, because his previous owner who abused him always wore Nike's. Anytime he saw the Nike shoe qualities, it would regenerate the abusive treatment the dog/horse suffered. Same goes for gender.
My friend's dog is frightened of flashlights; Bring out a flashlight and the dog runs to cover. Was there an incident of flashlights being shown in his eyes, or getting clunked by a flashlight? Our Papa boy was housed in a chicken coop for several yrs. before surrendered to a shelter. He has fear issues with hands approaching his head, he'd cower, quiver, and shake...
I've heard that animals do relate to human hormones and scents. Or have the ability to decipher. For instance 1 of our family buns was nasty to me when she was found as a stray. Biting at my abdomen, arms, and lashing out at me, not my hubby. She was more loving and gentle with my DH. ?What gives?. She also thumped everytime she heard the sound of things (or smells of things) being cut on a breadboard. I don't even want to Ponder what would have instilled that fear, the sound of slicing. I speculate there was a nasty female person in her background. It has taken Regina a while to develop her comfort factor with me. She is much more my hubby's bunny. Runs to him instantly for head strokes! They've got a stronger bond. She knows I'm primary caretaker and Reginee's gradually overcome her distrust.
Amazing the minds of these innocent animals, and fear factors they've been subjected to. ~ their unique sense of smell,