Why is my dog ​​afraid of loud noises?

Dogs are owners of 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 exposing itself to threats and predators, in addition to having greater success in its hunt.It is perfectly natural for a dog to startle in front of loud or violent noises , and want to hide or run away to preserve its well-being.Is it an adaptive response of the organism.

Do you wonder why your dog is afraid of loud noises? You have reached the right place! In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we will explain the main causes of this canine behavior and how you can reassure a scared dog and how to remove fear.

My dog ​​is afraid of loud noises, why?

The hearing of dogs is more sensitive than that of humans and can capture an impressive range of frequencies and vibrations.It is natural that your dog is very alert when it is outdoors and perceives numerous new sounds for him (sounds that are often imperceptible to us).It is also absolutely normal to feel fear when perceiving unknown or violent alterations in their environment, such as rockets, car noise, screams, fights or thunder.

Their survival instinct means that, before an unknown stimulus that threatens their 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 of his environment (between the 3rd and 12th week), the reaction is very likely and negatively and be very scared in front of the various loud or unknown noises throughout his life.

If your dog experienced a negative experience or was exposed to noises that cause fear, it may have developed a trauma or a phobia .In both cases, the animal may associate the sound with certain objects, people, animals or environments, and show fear even when the sound is not present, but the "noisy source" Yes, some dogs, for example, can hide only from seeing the vacuum cleaner or the dryer, by associating these utensils with their loud sound.

In addition, we must take into account that some pathologies that affect their sensory functions or progressive hearing loss , also favor the development of phobias and traumas.That is why it is essential to consult with the veterinarian if you notice that your dog is very scared, shy, aggressive or isolated very frequently cia.

A dog with a history of physical and emotional abuse can be very fearful of a wide range of stimuli.His insecurity is so strong that does not show exploratory behavior (curious about the environment) and would never even consider facing an unknown situation.In fact, violence and negative environments are among the main causes of trauma among animals.

If you adopted a puppy or a dog As an adult, you should be especially attentive if your partner is constantly nervous or fearful.Dogs that have been isolated from all kinds of stimuli and/or social life 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 .That is, a puppy may have a greater predisposition to fear or greater sensi bility in the face of loud noises for having inherited this characteristic from their parents.

How to remove the dog's fear of loud noises?

For 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 causing these fear-related behaviors.This type of veterinarian will also be able to guide you to a behavioral problem, providing you with a diagnosis and guidelines to follow .

If not you find this professional figure, you can go first to a veterinarian and then to a canine educator .To improve the evaluation, we recommend you ask yourself the following questions: "What loud noises make your dog startle? " "Does your fear appear when you see some objects that emit noises or only when you hear the noises?" "Does he startle 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 it properly.

Treatment for dogs with fear

Generally, dogs that present a trauma or a fear manage to overcome their insecurity after a systematic desensitization.In this process, we try to get our dog to gradually get used to the sound that generates fear from the controlled exposure and reward of desirable behaviors with the use of reinforcement positive.It is important to note that the behavior modification sessions should be carried out by a specialist who is familiar with these methods, if not, it is easy for fear to increase and even become phobia if improperly working with the dog.

Treatment for dogs with phobia

However, a diagnosis of phobia is much more difficult to treat, requires more time and may not have a definitive cure for better Rare the welfare of the dog may even be necessary use of pharmacology .Anyway, you can help your dog to calm down in contexts of fear or anxiety, use alternative therapies to improve its quality of life and offer a sense of calm, in addition to avoiding exposing it to stressful situations that involve objects and sounds that cause negative feelings.

How to reassure a dog scared by loud noises?

Now you know what the methodology is used by professionals to remove the fear of rocket dogs or any other stimulus.However, while waiting for the visit of the canine educator, we propose a series of tips you can use when it comes to knowing how to reassure a dog scared of rockets, screams or, in short, any of the loud noises that scare you.

How to act before a dog with fear of noise?

Many owners feel the urge to pet and hug the dog when it is noticeably altered, however, by doing so they are reinforcing their altered attitude and encouraging the dog to repeat a negative behavior and that also affects its well-being.

On the contrary, if the dog is very scared but stays calm and relaxed if we can pet him and reward him to improve his emotional state.The important thing is that you maintain a calm attitude and act normally is 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 scared by noise

Take note of the tips that we propose, 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 You are or on dates when the use of pyrotechnics is expected (as in New Year's Eve, for example).By being alone, the dog will feel even more insecure and will be able to carry out destructive behaviors at home.
• Decrease the intensity of the noise by closing the windows and doors to reduce the intensity with which the noise enters the home from the outside.In addition, you can put some relaxing music for dogs in a volume higher than as usual, and try to distract your dog with some long-lasting toy, such as the kong, a bone to gnaw or intelligence toys.
• Try to create a "shelter" : Dogs feel more protected when they can take refuge in a quiet place when listening to loud or strange sounds.You can use a transport, a dog house or just a cardboard box to comfort your dog with its own "cave." Remember to locate the shelter away from windows and doors (where noise enters with greater intensity) and leave inside your dog's favorite toy.
• Reward his good behavior : every time your dog Be brave and/or behave well in your "shelter", remember to reward him with a treat that he likes very much, caresses and cheerful voice.In this way, we encourage our dog to associate the presence of a strange noise with a positive situation.
• Values ​​the use of ferromas : synthetic pheromones (DAP) are compounds that mimic the natural pheromones that bitches produce during breastfeeding.Its action can lower anxiety levels and help to restore calm state in the body of the dog.You can find several brands and presentations of the DAP, but it is important that you consult your trusted veterinarian to choose one that has studies that support its effectiveness.
• Use of pharmacology : Anxiolytics and other painkillers for dogs act directly on your nervous system.They can be recommended by the veterinarian after the diagnosis of a delicate and complex psychological disorder, usually to prevent the nervous reaction from continuing to damage the animal's health.We must remember that painkillers should not be offered to any can without proper medical guidance.In addition, remember to avoid drugs that contain acepromazine and bet on those who have positive scientific studies to support them, 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 body of humans and dogs.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 some drops of tincture, according to its weight, directly in the mouth of your hairy for a faster effect.
• Oatmeal : Oatmeal is very effective in providing a feeling of calm and decreasing a dog's anxiety.It is true that many dogs do not accept eat in situations of fear or nervousness, but you can try to offer 1 to 2 tablespoons of cooked oatmeal in water to your hairy to help calm down.
• Alternative therapies : aromatherapy, Bach flowers, homeopathy and acupuncture are highly recommended to improve the quality of life and help To relieve the tension of dogs suffering from phobias, stress or other psychological disorders.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why is my dog ​​afraid of loud noises? ? , we recommend that you enter our Behavior Problems section.