Home ›

Jenny's Jottings: Noise phobias in dogs

in

The fireworks season is fast approaching - a time of year many pet owners dread. Hundreds of pets have noise phobias and in many cases, controlling them can be a challenge.

Letting a puppy experience a variety of sounds at a young age (ideally between 6-10 weeks) is crucial. Puppies are less likely to be fearful in the future if this socialisation has taken place.

If your dog already has a noise phobia then you have a better chance of coping with fireworks if you begin preparations now. A relatively new concept is that of desensitisation. This involves using specifically designed sound recordings to slowly accustom an animal to noise in a controlled manner. Over a period of time, the animal gets used to firework noise and realises that it poses no threat. These CDs help in many cases if used correctly although for some animals unfortunately this is not enough. It may take 2-3 months to achieve a good effect so start trying this aid now. Ask your vet for further information.

Some animals try to escape during fireworks so make sure your premises are secure. Prepare a hiding place in a blacked out room. Music with a beat can help to mask some firework noise if your dog tolerates this sound. Another valuable aid is the use of pheromone ‘plug ins’ that release stress relieving chemicals. These have maximum effect when used from 2-3 weeks prior to, and through the firework season.

We can make phobias worse by trying to help. Paying a dog extra attention when he is scared can actually ‘reward’ him for his fearful behaviour, making him more likely to repeat it in the future. Dogs can also interpret this affection as a display of our fear, confirming that there is reason to be afraid! During firework noise, it can be best to ignore the fearful behaviour and praise your dog as he relaxes.

If your pet suffers from noise phobia I hope this has been useful. Behaviour is a complex subject but there is help out there if you need it!

By Jenny Jones BVM&S MRCVS, vet at Borrajo’s veterinary clinics.