FEAR OF THUNDER AND OTHER NOISES:
While a good "kraack" or "boom" may have been good while Batman was
taking down the Joker, such startling sounds are no joke for your dog.
Firecrackers, thunder, and other loud, out-of-nowhere sounds often leave
dogs frightened and wanting to flee to a safer place. These types of
fears may develop even though your dog has had no traumatic experiences
associated with the sound. The good news is that many fear-related
problems can be successfully resolved. If left untreated, however, your
dog's fearful behavior will probably get worse.
The most common behavior problems associated with fear of loud noises
are destruction and escaping. When your dog becomes frightened, she
tries to reduce her fear. She may try to escape to a place where the
sounds of thunder or firecrackers are less intense. If she feels less
afraid by leaving the yard or going into a certain room or area of the
house, then the escape or destructive behavior is reinforced because it
successfully lessens her fear. For some dogs, just the activity or
physical exertion associated with one of these behaviors may be an
outlet for their anxiety. Unfortunately, escape and/or destructive
behavior can be a problem for you and could also result in physical
injury to your dog. Your dog may also begin to associate a particular
startling noise with other things in her environment, and she may grow
afraid of these other things because she associates them with the loud
noise that frightens her. For example, dogs who are afraid of thunder
may later become afraid of the wind, dark clouds, and flashes of light
that often precede the sound of thunder. Dogs who do not like the sound
of firecrackers may become fearful of the children who have the
firecrackers or may become afraid to go in the backyard, if that's where
they usually hear the noise.
What You Can Do to Help
Create a Safe Place
Try to create a safe place for your dog to go to when she hears the
noises that frighten her. But remember, this must be a safe location
from her perspective, not yours. Notice where she goes, or tries to go,
when she's frightened, and if at all possible, give her access to that
place. If she's trying to get inside the house, consider installing a
dog door. If she's trying to get under your bed, give her access to your
bedroom.
You can also create a "hidey-hole" that is dark, small, and shielded
from the frightening sound as much as possible. Encourage her to go
there when you're home and the thunder or other noise occurs. Consider
using a fan or radio near the spot to help block out the sound. Feed her
in that location and help your dog associate that spot with other "good
things" happening to her there. She must be able to come and go from
this location freely. Confining her in the "hidey-hole" when she doesn't
want to be there will only cause more problems. The "safe place"
approach may work with some dogs, but not all. Some dogs are motivated
to move and be active when frightened and "hiding out" won't help them
feel less fearful.
Distract Your Dog
This method works best when your dog is just beginning to get anxious.
Encourage her to engage in any activity that captures her attention and
distracts her from behaving fearfully. Start when she first alerts you
to the noise and is not yet showing a lot of fearful behavior, but is
only watchful. Immediately try to interest her in doing something that
she really enjoys. Get out the tennis ball and play fetch (in an
escape-proof area), or practice some commands that she knows. Reward her
with praise and treats for paying attention to the game or the commands.
As the storm or other noise builds, you may not be able to keep her
attention on the activity, but it might delay the start of the fearful
behavior for longer and longer each time you do it. If you can't keep
her attention and she begins acting fearfully, stop the process. If you
continue, you may inadvertently reinforce her fearful behavior.
Behavior Modification
Behavior modification techniques are often successful in reducing fears
and phobias. The appropriate techniques are called
"counter-conditioning" and "desensitization." These techniques condition
or teach your dog to respond in non-fearful ways to sounds and other
stimuli that have previously frightened her. These techniques must be
implemented very gradually. Begin by exposing your dog to an intensity
level of noise that doesn't frighten her and pairing the noise with
something pleasant, like a treat or a fun game. Gradually increase the
volume as you continue to offer her something pleasant. Through this
process, she'll come to associate "good things" with the previously
feared sound.
Here an example of how to do this:
Make a tape with firecracker noises on it.
Play the tape at such a low volume that your dog doesn't respond
fearfully. While the tape is playing, feed her dinner, give her a treat,
or play her favorite game.
In your next session, play the tape a little louder while you feed her
or play her favorite game.
Continue increasing the volume through many sessions over a period of
several weeks or months. If she displays fearful behavior at any time
while the tape is playing, STOP.
Begin your next session at a lower volume, one that doesn't produce
anxiety, and proceed more slowly.
If these techniques aren't used correctly, they won't be successful and
can even make the problem worse.
For some fears, it can be difficult to recreate the fear stimulus. For
example, thunder is accompanied by lightning, rain, and changes in
barometric pressure; your dog's fearful response may be to the
combination of these things and not just the thunder. You may need
professional assistance to create and implement this kind of behavior
modification program.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Medication may be available which can help reduce your dog's anxiety
levels for short time periods. Your veterinarian is the only person who
is qualified and licensed to prescribe medication for your dog.
Don't attempt to give your dog any over-the-counter or prescription
medication without consulting your veterinarian. Animals don't respond
to drugs the same way people do, and a medication that may be safe for
humans could be fatal to your dog. Drug therapy alone won't reduce fears
and phobias permanently, but in extreme cases, behavior modification and
medication used together might be the best approach.
What Not to Do
Do not attempt to reassure your dog when she is afraid. This may only
reinforce her fearful behavior. If you pet, soothe, or give treats to
her when she's behaving fearfully, she may interpret this as a reward
for her fearful behavior. Instead, try to behave normally, as if you
don't notice her fearfulness.
Do not put your dog in a crate to prevent her from being destructive
during a thunderstorm. She'll still be fearful when she's in the crate
and is likely to injure herself, perhaps even severely, while attempting
to get out of the crate.
Do not punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make her
more fearful.
Do not try to force your dog to experience or be close to the sound that
frightens her. For example, making her stay close to a group of children
who are lighting firecrackers will only make her more afraid, and could
cause her to become aggressive in an attempt to escape from the
situation.
These approaches will fail because they won't decrease your dog's fear.
Merely trying to prevent her from escaping or being destructive won't
work, either. If your dog is still afraid, she'll continue to show that
fear in whatever way she can whether by digging, jumping, climbing,
chewing, barking, or howling. Finally, know that formal training won't
make your dog less afraid of thunder or other noises, although it could
help boost her general confidence.
Animal-Behavior Specialists
If your dog has severe fears and phobias and you're unable to achieve
success with the techniques we've outlined here, you should consult with
an animal-behavior specialist and your veterinarian.
Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal
behaviorists at the
Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.
If you have questions or need our services, please contact the shelter
at
618.346.5213 or contact us today via
e-mail
Copyrights 2009 WARREN BILLHARTZ ANIMAL SHELTER OF
COLLINSVILLE. A KTLLC Communications Solution