Dogs have a privileged hearing that allows them to recognize a large number of sounds, even at considerable distances. This adaptive capacity was essential for the survival of the species, allowing it to avoid exposure to threats and predators, as well as being more successful in its hunting. Therefore, it is perfectly natural for a dog to startle at loud or violent noises, and want to hide or run away to preserve its well-being. It is an adaptive response of the organism.
Wondering why your dog is afraid of loud noises? You've come to the right place! In this article on our site, we will explain the main causes of this canine behavior and how you can reassure a frightened dog and how to remove the fear.
My dog is afraid of loud noises, why?
Dogs' hearing is more sensitive than that of humans and can pick up an impressive range of frequencies and vibrations. It's natural for your dog to become very alert when he's outdoors and notice numerous sounds that are new to him (sounds that are often imperceptible to us). He is also absolutely normal to feel fearwhen perceiving unknown or violent disturbances in his environment, such as rockets, the noise of cars, screams, fights or thunder.
His survival instinct means that, when faced with an unknown stimulus that threatens his physical and psychological well-being, the dog tries to run away or hide, however, it can also react or remain immobile. If we do not spend time socializing the puppy with the different noises in his environment (between the 3rd and 12th week), it is very likely that he will react negatively and be very frightened by the various loud or unknown noises throughout his life..
If your dog has had a negative experience or prolonged exposure to fearful noises, he may have developed a trauma or a phobiaIn both cases, the animal will be able to associate the sound with certain objects, people, animals or environments, and show fear even when the sound is not present, but the "noisy source" is. Some dogs, for example, may hide from the sight of the vacuum cleaner or dryer, associating these utensils with their noisy sound.
In addition, we must bear in mind that some pathologies that affect their sensory functions or progressive loss of hearing, also favor the development of phobias and traumas. For this reason, it is essential to consult the veterinarian if you notice that your dog is very fearful, shy, aggressive or isolates himself very often.
A dog with a history of physical and emotional abuse can be very fearful in the face of a wide variety of stimuli. His insecurity is so strong that does not show exploratory behavior(curiosity about the environment) and would never even consider facing an unknown situation. In fact, violence and negative environments are among the leading causes of trauma among animals.
If you've adopted a puppy or an adult dog, be especially vigilant if your companion is constantly nervous or fearful. Dogs that have been isolated from all kinds of stimuli and/or social interaction can develop the so-called "sensory deprivation syndrome"
Finally, we must mention that fear can appear as a behavioral pattern that can also be genetically inherited In other words, a puppy can having a greater predisposition to fear or greater sensitivity to loud noises due to having inherited this characteristic from their parents.
How to remove the dog's fear of loud noises?
In the face of any of the causes listed above, it is essential that you go to a veterinary ethologist to rule out pathological causes or deficiencies in the senses that may be triggering these fear-related behaviors. This type of veterinarian will also be able to guide you when faced with a behavioral problem, providing you with a diagnosis and guidelines to follow
If you cannot find this professional figure, you can first go to a veterinarian and then to a dog educator To improve the evaluation, we recommend ask yourself the following questions: "What loud noises startle your dog?" "Does your fear of him appear when he sees some objects that make noises or only when he hears the noises?" "Is he startled only when he hears certain noises or is he afraid of various unknown stimuli?" All this will help the professional to recognize if your dog has a fear, a phobia or a trauma and will help you to work on it properly.
Treatment for dogs with fear
Usually, dogs that experience trauma or fear manage to overcome their insecurity after systematic desensitizationIn this process, we try to gradually get our dog used to the sound that generates fear from controlled exposure and reward of desirable behaviors with the use of positive reinforcement. It is important to highlight that the behavior modification sessions must be carried out by a specialist who is familiar with these methods, otherwise it is easy for fear to increase and even become a phobia if you work improperly with the dog.
Treatment for dogs with phobia
However, a diagnosis of phobia is much more difficult to treat, takes more time, and may not have a definitive cure. To improve the dog's well-being it may even be necessary to use of pharmacology In any case, you can help your dog to calm down in contexts of fear or anxiety, using alternative therapies to improve your quality of life and offer you a sense of calm, in addition to avoiding exposing you to stressful situations involving objects and sounds that provoke negative feelings.
How to reassure a dog frightened by loud noises?
Now you know the methodology used by professionals to remove the fear of dogs from rockets or any other stimulus. However, while you wait for the dog trainer's visit, we propose a series of tips that you can use when it comes to knowing how to reassure a dog frightened by rockets, screaming or, in short, any loud noise that scares him.
How to deal with a dog afraid of noise?
Many owners feel the urge to pet and hug the dog when it is noticeably upset, however, by doing so they are reinforcing their upset attitude and encouraging the dog to repeat a negative behavior that also affects your well being.
On the contrary, if the dog is very scared but remains calm and relaxed, we can pet and reward him to improve his emotional state. The important thing is that you maintain a calm attitude and act normally in these situations of fear or stress. Remember that emotions are not reinforced, what can be reinforced is calm or anxious behavior.
Tips for a dog frightened by noises
Take note of the tips we suggest, but remember that without behavior modification sessions it is impossible to remove the fear of dogs permanently:
- Avoid leaving your dog alone in noisy environments or on dates when fireworks are expected to be used (such as New Year's Eve, for instance). Being alone, the dog will feel even more insecure and may carry out destructive behaviors in the home.
- Reduce noise intensity by closing windows and doors to reduce the intensity with which noise enters the home from outside. Also, you can play some relaxing music for dogs at a higher volume than usual, and try to distract your dog with some long-lasting toy, such as the kong, a gnawing bone, or intelligence toys.
- Try to create a "shelter": Dogs feel more protected when they can take refuge in a quiet place when hearing loud or strange sounds. You can use a carrier, a dog house, or just a cardboard box to comfort your dog with his own "cave." Remember to locate the shelter away from windows and doors (where noise enters with greater intensity) and leave your dog's favorite toy inside.
- Reward Good Behavior: Every time your dog is brave and/or well behaved in his "shelter", remember to reward him with a treat that pleases him a lot, caresses and a cheerful voice. In this way, we encourage our dog to associate the presence of a strange noise with a positive situation.
- Assess the use of pheromones: Synthetic pheromones (DAP) are compounds that mimic the natural pheromones that bitches produce during lactation. Its action lowers anxiety levels and helps restore a state of calm in the dog's body. You can find several brands and presentations of DAP, but it is important that you consult your trusted veterinarian to choose one that has studies that support its effectiveness.
- Pharmacology use: Anxiolytics and other painkillers for dogs act directly on their nervous system. They can be recommended by the veterinarian after the diagnosis of a delicate and complex psychological disorder, generally to prevent the nervous reaction from continuing to damage the animal's he alth. We must remember that painkillers should not be offered to any dog without proper medical guidance. Also, remember to avoid drugs that contain acepromazine and opt for those that have positive scientific studies to back them up, such as SILEO.
Natural remedies to calm a dog
- Herbs: chamomile, valerian and St. John's wort are herbs with good calming action on the human body and of the dogs. You can make an infusion of chamomile, let it cool and mix with your dog's water. St. John's wort and valerian can also be found in the form of tinctures. You can offer a few drops of dye, depending on its weight, directly in your furry's mouth for a faster effect.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is very effective in providing a sense of calm and lessening a dog's anxiety. It is true that many dogs do not accept eating in situations of fear or nervousness, but you can try offering 1 to 2 tablespoons of oatmeal cooked in water to your furry to help him calm down.
- Alternative therapies: aromatherapy, Bach flowers, homeopathy and acupuncture are highly recommended to improve quality of life and help relieve stress in dogs suffering from phobias, stress or other psychological disorders.
