How Can I Get My Dog Not to Fear Loud Noises?
- 1). Create a hiding place for your dog in a quiet area, such as the basement or in a closet, where your pet feels safe. Take your dog to the safe place as soon as the noises start and stay with your pet. This technique is effective especially if your dog tends to run for the door or hide when exposed to noises.
- 2). Make a monotonous noise your dog is used to, such as starting a computer game, a fan or pressing on a squeaky toy. The sound should distract the dog and to a certain extent, cover the outside noise.
- 3). Distract your dog with a treat or games, so that the dog doesn't pay more attention to the noises. This technique is known as counter conditioning. The dog may associate the positive experience (the treat) with the negative one (the noise) and believe that the noise announces the treat. Counter conditioning may work if your pet's reaction is mild.
- 4). Desensitize your pet after identifying the triggering noise. The desensitizing sessions aim at exposing the pet to the triggering factor, first for short amounts of time. Use treats or verbal praises when the dog displays the desired behavior when exposed to noise. As the dog develops tolerance to the noise, the amount of time and the intensity of the noise are increased. At the end of the desensitization period, the dog should tolerate the noises it used to fear.
- 5). Administer medication if your dog's reaction cannot be controlled otherwise. Veterinarians prescribe benzodiazepines, anti-anxiety drugs, for milder reactions. Fluoxetine or clomipramine may be needed in severe cases.
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