Susan C. Daffron

Award-winning fiction & nonfiction author

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July 22, 2001 By Susan Daffron

Fear of Loud Noises

It’s thunderstorm season and along with power outages, you may be experiencing doggie distress during summertime storms. Some dogs are extremely affected by the barometric changes, flashes of light, and noise of storms. Most of the problems arise from destructive behavior as the dog tries to "get away" to someplace safe.

To deal with the problem, the first thing you should do is determine where the dog is trying to go. Many dogs rip out screens and tear up doors in their efforts to get inside. If so, consider installing a doggie door. If the dog is inside but really wants to hide under the bed, leave the bedroom door open. Remember you are trying to figure out what the DOG thinks is safe, which may have nothing to do with what you view as safe. Do not punish the dog for her fear and do not lock her in a crate if that’s not where she wants to be. (Note that some dogs do view their crate as their "safe" place, so if she wants to go in let her, but leave the door open.)

Some dogs will respond to distractions. If the dog starts exhibiting anxious behavior, try distracting her with a favorite activity, such as a game of fetch. Give the dog lots of praise and treats to keep her attention. If she starts losing focus and behaving fearfully, stop what you are doing. When she’s fearful, do not coddle or attempt to reassure your dog. These things will only make the problem worse by reinforcing the behavior. Act as if nothing is wrong. Your dog may think the sky is falling, but your job is to dissuade her by making it seem like everything is completely normal and totally boring.

If the dog has developed serious noise phobias or anxiety, you may want to consult a behaviorist, veterinarian, or both. Certain behavior modification techniques may help the dog deal with the problem, but they must be used carefully so as not to make the problem worse. Certain medications from your veterinarian may also be helpful in serious cases.

Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Tails Tagged With: fear, loud, noise, phobia, scared, thunder

About Susan Daffron

Susan Daffron is the author of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies, the Jennings & O'Shea mysteries, and multiple award-winning nonfiction books, including several about pets and animal rescue. Check out all her books on her Amazon Author page.

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