NOISE PHOBIAS
July 14, 2009
If your dog is showing signs, or is fearful of noise caused by fireworks, lightning (thunder), gunfire-sounds, etc. There are things you need to do (or don’t do) to help cure them of their condition.
First, don’t ever pet or try to “comfort” them when they are nervous or showing fear. In a “dogs world” there is no such thing as comforting. Comforting only makes their phobia or fear stronger.
Use desensitization/redirection techniques, by exposing them to the negative noise in very small increments, usually when the noise is far away and/or barely audible. Find pre-recorded noises i.e., thunder, fireworks on the Internet or YouTube to help control exposure. Then redirect (distract) “their thoughts” to something challenging and Fun, like playing with a ball, practicing obedience or any other game they like to play. If you are having trouble getting them to focus on you, maybe the noise is too loud (close)?. The objective is to have your dog concentrate on what you’re doing and not on what they’re afraid of. As your dog becomes less reactive (desensitized) to the noise, the noise can becomes louder or closer to you.
Obedience Training is an “indirect” but effective way to help cure phobias and other behavioral problems. Your dog should understand at least 5 basic and 3 advanced commands. Your dog should be able to execute these commands in and around distractions from at least 5 feet from you. (When done correctly) obedience training greatly builds their confidence, builds a better -trusting- relationship, and helps to accelerate their understanding to all the things you’re trying to teach.
Do you have a dog with a noise phobia? Let me know what you think of this post in the comment form below. THANKS
I don’t understand why you say there is no such thing as ‘comforting’ in a dog’s world. Why not? What you are saying buys into the myth that you can reinforce fear by rewarding it, but we know that’s not the case. Anything that lowers a dog’s stress level is going to improve their behavior. If that’s stroking a dog, or holding it, or giving it cheese, it’s only going to help the situation. In many cases petting and cooing to dogs has become a conditioned reinforcer so are rewarding and make a dog feel good.
While recent studies have shown that owners petting their storm phobic dogs did not seem to improve their behavior, it did not make it worse (so they likely were not emotionally more fearful either). I do agree with your other suggestions for how to help scared dogs faced with a trigger, but I wish the idea that comforting reinforces fear would just go away.
Debbie, Thanks for your reply to an important topic. I’m not sure of any recent studies you speak of. I do know in my experience when working with phobias in dogs, what works and what doesn’t work. “Comforting” = reward. Show me in the dog world when a puppy is afraid of something and runs to its mother and the mother gives the puppy a big hug and while stroking it, talks to them, and tells them everything is going to be alright. Our voice and physical touch has the power to change our dogs emotional state. If a child scraps their knee and the mother comforts or babies them, they are more likely to cry, if they redirect or downplay the event the child may just move on. If ringing a bell and giving a reward, can produce a physical reaction of salivating and barking plus an emotional reaction of anticipation and excitement, It’s “conditioning”. If there is thunder and I “comfort” (reward) a dog’s fear reaction, it’s the same thing.
It’s not, don’t reward your dog, It’s when to reward them
Robert
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Obedience Training For Dogs…
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I am always excited to visit this blog in the evenings. It is very entertaining.