Title: Here are some tips for scared dogs like me
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Blog Entry: How to help your dog overcome fear of thunderstorms, fireworks and other noises Did you know that each summer hundreds of dogs end up in animal shelters and vet clinics after having escaped or injured themselves during a thunderstorm? Did you know that due to the number of dogs that have attempted to run away from the fearful sound of fireworks New Year's Day and Australia Day are the busiest days of the year for shelters? This information sheet is aimed to provide some helpful advice to people that own dogs that react fearfully to thunderstorms, fireworks and other noises. The good news is that there are things that you can do to reduce your dog’s fearful reaction to these noises. If left untreated, however, your dog’s fearful behaviour will probably get worse. Understand why your dog is fearful The most common canine noise related problem is thunderstorm phobia. Fear of other noises can accompany thunderstorm phobias, such as fear of fireworks, hot air balloons, lawn mowers, nail guns and a range of other noises. A dog that is fearful of noises can display a number of symptoms including destructive behaviour (especially directed at entry and exit points), salivation, toileting, pacing, excess activity, trembling, vocalising, escaping, self injury and depression. When dogs become frightened they will try to reduce their fear by either trying to escape the noise or by becoming more active as an outlet for their anxiety, often resulting in destructive behaviour. A dog at large and destructive behaviours increase the risk of injury to the dog. Your dog may also associate other things in the environment with these frightening noises. For example, many dogs that are afraid of thunder may also become afraid of dark clouds, wind and the flashes of light that often occur before thunder. Sometimes the fear of these noises is associated with a traumatic event. For example, a dog that is generally fine in storms may develop a fear if a tree branch falls in a storm and injures it. This type of fear is more responsive to treatment than those associated with a history of a gradually increasing fear response. Although most fear responses in dogs are learned, some dogs may be fearful of thunderstorms and fireworks the very first time they hear them. Because these fears are unlearned, they may not respond to standard treatment efforts. What Not To Do Do not punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make her more fearful Do not try to force your dog to endure or be close to something that frightens them Merely trying to prevent your dog from escaping or destroying things will not properly address the problem. Attending to the symptoms of the anxiety, rather than the anxiety itself can result in your dog increasing the intensity of it’s response or find another way to show their fears – whether by digging, climbing, jumping, chewing, barking or howling. All of these techniques will not work at decreasing your dog’s fear. What you can do Distract your dog This method works best if your dog is showing subtle signs of anxiety or before the dog has become really anxious. Encourage your dog to play a game or engage in activity that is going to take their mind off the thunderstorm. Chews or toys like Kongs, BusterCubes, Treatballs or Aussie Dog products can be helpful. As the noise builds you may find that you can no longer hold their attention. Stop at this point. If this technique is used frequently, you may find that it will work at delaying your dog’s response to the thunder for longer periods each time. Create a safe and predictable environment Create a place that your dog can go when they hear noises that frighten them. If they attempt to get inside when they are scared, consider installing a dog door. If they hide under a table, give them access to that table. Pay attention to where they go, or try to go, when they are frightened and provide them access to that place. They should be allowed to come and go freely from this location, confining them in this area can cause further problems. This may not be suitable for some dogs, as they would prefer to move and be active when they are frightened. Behaviour Modification By desensitising or counter-conditioning your dog to the sounds of the thunderstorm you may, in time, reduce your dog’s fearful response to noises that had previously frightened them. This technique involves gradually exposing your dog to the frightful stimulus. You need to begin at a level that does not frighten your dog and pair it with something pleasant like a treat or game. Gradually increase the volume of the noise as you continue to offer something pleasant. You are aiming to associate good things with something that your dog previously feared. If not done correctly, this method will not be successful and can make the problem worse. Recommended Training Resource : Dr Cam Day’s “Frightful Noises” CD (available at RSPCA Veterinary Clinic) Prevent rehearsal of the unwanted behaviour One of the critical steps in treating any behavioural problem is to prevent the animal from exhibiting the unwanted behaviour. Repeated exposure to something that your dog finds stressful means that your dog will have a memory of how bad it felt when it last occurred. As a result your dog will be likely to be more upset, more quickly, next time the stressful event occurs. Whilst it may be manageable to avoid the triggers for many of the behavioural problems dog’s exhibit, it is very difficult to avoid thunderstorms and fireworks. For this reason, medication is often warranted. Consult your veterinarian If attempts to redirect or relax your dog are not successful then the use of medications should be explored. Your veterinarian is the only qualified and authorised person to prescribe medication for your dog. It is important to consider your dog’s welfare in these circumstances. It is better for your dog to be drowsy and safe, if the alternative is that it is very fearful and could potentially hurt themselves. You will generally need to combine several suggestions for the best outcome for your dog. With patience and understanding many dogs can learn to cope more effectively with those sounds that can seem so very scary. If you are unable to achieve success with these techniques, you should consult your veterinarian, your local RSPCA shelter or a Veterinary Behaviourist for further advice.
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