An intense fear of loud noises, such as those from fireworks or thunderstorms, is known as noise anxiety in dogs. Many uncomfortable behaviors may come from it, and dogs may even flee in terror and get stranded. Just like young children frequently rush to their parents when they hear a disturbing noise at night. Generally, the reply is something along the lines of “Don’t fret, it was simply thunder.” Or, “There wasn’t anything to be frightened of; it was merely a noise.”
The term “noise aversion” refers to a range of levels of fear and anxiety brought on by noise. While some phobias cannot be totally overcome, the disorder’s severity can usually be significantly lessened. From minor anxiety to severe panic attacks, trying to flee, improper soiling, drooling, and destructive behavior, symptoms might range from trembling, clinging, barking, hiding, and pacing. Although noise aversion is a prevalent problem, dog owners sometimes do not consult their doctors about it. One explanation could be that while pet owners are aware that their dogs overreact to noise, they are unaware that these actions are signs of fear.
While some types of fear, like being frightened by a loud thunderclap, are normal and beneficial, phobias are excessive, exaggerated reactions that are dangerous (e.g., trembling in the bathtub for hours after a clap of thunder). Depending on how long it takes the dog to return from the noise, it will be possible to determine whether the behavior is normal or risky to the dog’s bodily and psychological wellbeing. A fear of one specific sound is likely to become a fear of all sounds, whether they are similar or dissimilar, if untreated. As a result, noise phobias are likely to worsen.
As with any behavioral illness, avoiding the cause of the nervous reaction is preferable if possible. Accessing weather reports can offer some level of predictability for stormy days with a high risk of occurrence. The likelihood of being exposed to potential noise sensitivities will increase considerably on occasions like fireworks, thunder, festivities, building work, and traffic or street noise (especially fireworks).
Furthermore, if untreated, noise aversion can worsen, leading to an intensification of symptoms, dislike to other noises, and/or the emergence of additional forms of anxiety. Some boarding facilities offer designated noise-sensitive sections, it is occasionally possible to relocate your pet to a quiet location, and some clients are able to soundproof a portion of their homes. In an ideal world, the dog would have a human companion during the storm, but occasionally.
Just like people, dogs get anxious. Despite being unpleasant, it is a natural and healthy emotion. Dog anxiety can affect every breed of dog, though each dog will likely react to it differently. Even though all dogs occasionally worry, a dog may develop an anxiety disorder if persistently high levels of anxiety go untreated. If left untreated, dog anxiety can lead to behavioral issues in addition to other issues.
Noise sensitivity may first manifest throughout a variety of developmental or life phases. They could show up during the socialization stage (3 to 12 weeks of age) or the first severe panic attack (8 to 10 weeks of age). By the time they are 5 weeks old, puppies should be gregarious, friendly, and easily bounce back from unpleasant encounters without forming lasting aversions, so extreme anxiety during the socializing phase raises the probability that it has a genetic basis. However, the brain can remember or retain adult-like traumatic experiences as early as eight weeks of age. Puppies are exiting the socialization stage during the juvenile era, which starts at 3 to 4 months of age and lasts until sexual maturity or roughly 5 to 14 months depending on the individual, and they may exhibit fear.
Noise aversions may begin in adolescence or at social maturity in an adult dog because sexual maturity can occur at any age between 5 and 36 months (2 to 3 years of age). Medical conditions including pain have been connected to dogs’ sensitivity to noise (such as ear infections or arthritis). Geriatric dogs (those who have outlived their life expectancy) and senior dogs (7 to 10 years old) with noise phobias are more prone to suffer illnesses like these, deteriorating neurological function, sensory abilities, endocrine abnormalities, and/or cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Unfortunately, a dog who is afraid of noise will not benefit from explanations or assurances. Dogs all around the nation commonly have noise fear. Between 5 and 15 million dogs, according to various estimates, have noise phobias that are severe enough for their owners to seek therapy.
Dogs’ Symptoms Of Noise Anxiety:
A fear of thunder might merely cause mild trembling and clutching to their human on the less extreme end of the scale. On the opposite extreme, it may result in frantic running, destructive biting, urinating inside, or even jumping through a plate glass window!
Depending on how anxious the dog is, the following signs may vary in severity: Trembling or swaying, Pacing, sweating, or drooling despite not working out the animal tucked its tail between its legs. Repositioning their ears, large eyes, Affixed to their person, shrinking or hiding, refusing to move, occasionally appearing catatonic, vocalizations that are unusual (barking, whining, etc.), even when a dog is otherwise housebroken, accidents may occur. destructive habits such as digging, scratching, or gnawing, attempting to flee the house or the situation by bolting.
Noise anxiety in dogs: causes and triggers:
It could be difficult to determine what caused your dog’s noise phobia. However, you might be able to pinpoint the start of your dog’s anxiety by connecting it to a traumatic experience, like being too close to a fireworks display or too close to a lightning strike and the subsequent thunderclap.
Here are a few common causes of canine noise phobia:
Thunderstorms, fireworks, raucous events, radio, television, and other device sounds, electronic devices that beep, including timers, alarm systems, or home security systems smoke alarms, tornado sirens are one type of warning siren, fire trucks, police cars, or ambulances either air or road traffic, barking from other dogs
Additionally, a fear of loud noises in dogs may run in the family. Studies show that some breeds are more susceptible to noise phobia than others, including Collies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. Some dogs gradually grow more fearful of loud noises as they mature, seemingly for no reason. Other dogs acquire it as puppies and carry it throughout their lives..
Most experts agree that soothing the dog by petting, cuddling, or in any other way might make things worse when it comes to noise phobia. When circumstances emerge that because the dog anxiety, it is crucial that persons who are near to the dog behave normally. In fact, the cause of a dog’s worry or fear of a certain noise may be humans around the dog. The majority of dogs are quite sensitive to their owners’ emotions. A dog may mimic frightened behavior as a result of observing its owner’s fear of thunder.
Treatments For Dogs’ Noise Anxiety:
- Modify the dog’s environment:
If possible given your circumstances, you can do some “common sense,” easy things. Here are some simple modifications you may make to your environment to reduce your dog’s anxiety: Create a safe haven for your dog, like a crate covered in a blanket, or look for a place where the noise level will be lower. Help mask the sound of the problematic noise, turn on some soft music or the television. Give your dog plenty of exercise in advance of a known event, such as a rainstorm or fireworks. This can assist in expending energy that could otherwise be directed toward nervous behaviors.
None of the aforementioned methods often produce dramatic results, but they can lessen symptoms.
- Practice meditation:
It takes time, effort, and repetition to change behavior. Prior to starting desensitization activities, reward-based training should focus on teaching the pet to settle and relax in its own bed or comfort space (safe haven) to guarantee that the pet can initially be relaxed and settled without potentially arousing fear. Owners are urged to carry out these tasks frequently each day. A good foundation is creating a safe and secure environment where the animal feels in charge and predictable. This can be achieved by rewarding naturally calm and relaxed behavior as well as fostering calm responses to cues prior to the provision of the things the dog values. To ensure that the pet is trained before the next thunderstorm season, it is best to start training during times of the year when exposure to the fear-inducing stimuli can be avoided.
- Desensitization:
Desensitization is the process of exposing a dog to a stimulus at a level too low to elicit a phobic reaction, then gradually increasing the intensity as the dog develops coping skills. Desensitization on its own is not likely to be effective. Many dogs exhibit phobic behavior when thunder is heard. In these situations, playing a CD recording of thunder noises with the volume turned up progressively over time can be helpful. However, certain dogs can be triggered by a number of stimuli at once, including wind, ozone, barometric pressure fluctuations, lightning, and rain. Desensitization too many of these stimuli isn’t achievable in these circumstances. In other situations, the trigger stimulus cannot be identified, making the desensitizing method ineffective. By using a video or tape recording to capture the sounds of real stimuli, a noise phobia CD might be created. There are also commercial recordings available, varying from thunder and storm CDs to items made specifically for desensitization.
- Compression wrapping:
For many dogs, this is a surprisingly easy and successful treatment. Anything that wraps around the dog’s torso and chest to apply a consistent, mild pressure is referred to as a pressure wrap. Why does it function? Nobody can say for sure, but it’s probably a combination of reassuring and securing the dog while diverting their attention from whatever they are afraid of.
You may either buy a thunder shirt or attempt to create one yourself using a t-shirt that is the right size. Pressure wraps frequently work well after the first application, but some dogs need two, three, or more applications before you notice symptoms getting better or going away altogether.
- Modification of behavior:
The most frequent behavior modification for noise phobia is desensitization. To put it briefly, you start by introducing your dog to a low amount of the annoying noise in a safe setting. You gradually turn up the volume till they can tolerate the actual thing as they become acclimated to it.
- Medications:
Your veterinarian may recommend one of several prescription drugs if your dog’s anxiety is severe enough. For the duration of the dog’s life, some are given routinely. Some medications are only administered during an anxiety incident. Drug combinations are occasionally used. If you want to take this approach, be sure to ask your veterinarian about any possible risks and adverse effects with the medications you’re thinking about.
The only FDA-approved drug for the management of canine noise aversion is Sileo. A popular medication for treating storm phobias is alprazolam-Xanex, a quick-acting anti-panic medication. Approximately one hour before the storm forms, it is administered. Long-term medications (such as Prozac, Clomicalm, and Elavil) are frequently advised because basal anxiety levels in affected animals can be greater even when they don’t show overt signs of worry. Additionally, these drugs provide assistance in circumstances that the owner cannot prevent.
Professional help is necessary for canines that exhibit extreme phobias or phobia-like behaviors. Your first action should be to schedule a visit with your veterinarian. Your dog’s veterinarian will be able to confirm or rule out any medical conditions that might be the root of or exacerbate the behavioral response in your dog. Your veterinarian will be able to determine your dog’s exact ailment and may also make medication recommendations and treatment plans. Your doctor might advise consulting a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist.
Dogs with severe phobias are troubled emotionally, run the danger of injuring themselves or others’ property, and may be predisposed to other serious behavioral problems. Dogs who have phobias and fearful responses to noises are more prone to have separation anxiety. Separation anxiety, which is essentially a panic attack, appears when the dog is left alone at home.
By: Dr Ayesha Farrukh
