The Treatments of Noise Phobia in Dogs
The noise phobias in dogs are the most common animal behavior problem presented to veterinarians.
Noise Phobia (NP) or Noise Anxiety, this condition is manifested by a variety of signs and behaviors, including whining and barking, panting and salivating, howling and growling, trembling and hiding/escaping, eliminating or destructive behavior.
More severe cases will exhibit the full-blown extreme anxiety/panic response of flipping over and exposing their belly, urination, defecation, and self-mutilation.
It should be noted that not all dogs exposed to a single noise event will develop Noise Phobias however many do. In fact, NP is a very common condition, with surveys reporting a prevalence of 5-20% in dogs.
What Causes Noise Phobia in Dogs
Noise Phobias are usually the result of a single traumatic event or cumulative events that lead to sensitization and fear conditioning. While NP can develop from many different sources, excessive exposure to loud noises is probably the most common cause. Other triggers include gun shooting, fireworks, thunderstorms, wind storms, construction noise, and apartment/house remodeling.
Studies also indicate that certain breeds (pointer and German shepherds) and individuals with abnormal sensitivity to sound may be predisposed to Noise Phobia.
How to Help Your Dog Overcome Noise Phobia
Keeping the TV or radio on, playing soft music (classical)
This is perhaps the most common recommendation for people who are faced with a dog suffering from Noise Phobia. It is often said that music or TV noise “lulls” dogs into a false sense of security and helps them to forget about the triggers in their environment.
There are two main problems with this approach. Firstly, it assumes that NP is an attention problem rather than a true phobia and that classical music will somehow occupy the dog’s mind to keep him from focusing on the external trigger.
Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to support this assumption. In fact, most dogs with Noise Phobias will not be “distracted” by soft background noise any more than healthy dogs with no phobia.
Give CBD oil to your dog
CBD oil is an over-the-counter product that has been shown to have some value in treating anxiety. It is extremely safe, inexpensive, and can be given long-term on a daily basis. However, it is important to note that CBD oil may cause mild side effects in some dogs, such as nausea or changes in the stool.
Behavior Modification Therapy
There is no question that exposure therapy (ET) is the best treatment for Noise Phobia in dogs. It has the highest rates of success and most complete resolution of all treatments available. However, given the severity of noise phobias, it is often necessary to help the dog along with medication.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT works on the principle of learning and unlearning. It teaches the dog to associate noisy stimuli with something positive or neutral instead of negative (such as pain).
There are two main steps in CBT: Classical Counter-Conditioning and Operant Conditioning.
Classical counter conditioning involves pairing a stimulus (such as noise) with food so that the dog begins to associate the noise with something good.
Operant conditioning involves using clicker training (positive reinforcement) to help the dog form a positive association between noises and treats, as well as teaching commands like SIT, COME, DOWN, etc. One of the most common examples is pairing an annoying sound (such as a doorbell) with food.
By pairing food with the sound, your dog will soon start to get excited when he hears the sound because he knows that good thing are about to happen.
Conclusion
As a pet owner, it is important to understand that learning to live with noise phobia can be hard work. It requires a lot of commitment and time on your part as well as your dog’s. However, there is no doubt that the benefits far outweigh the effort involved.