How To Help Your Dog Cope And Overcome Anxiety And Fear Of Loud Noises
Most dogs as well as other animals are traumatized by loud noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms, traffic and gunshots.
Bear in mind that animals are not accustomed to such noises in their natural environment and such sounds mean that there is danger in the vicinity.
A dog afraid of thunderstorms or any other loud noise is merely acting from instinct.
A dogs hearing sense is four times that of a human and fear presents an extreme emotion in dogs.
Owners need to take into account that a dog frightened of fireworks hears the fireworks four times louder than what humans hear them and obviously will trigger anxiety and fear response.
The minute a dog encounters such episodes they immediately and instinctively start pumping adrenaline and display the flight, fight or freeze reaction.
When humans encounter such dangers they will also respond exactly the same way an animal does.
One you understand this reaction, only then can you begins to understand why your pet reacts with intense fear.
This type of reaction is perfectly normal in both the animal kingdom and human response.
However, measures can be taken to reduce these responses in dogs and teach them that such sounds will not hurt them.
A dog afraid of thunderstorms etc.
should not be smothered or cuddled as this could make matters far worse whereby Fido will identify loud noises with love.
The best way to combat this fear is to pair food with the sound that frightens your dog at a decreased level to begin with.
You can obtain a pre-recorded audio download or CD of thunder, fireworks, etc.
, and each time you play the sound a toy or treat should appear.
Once the dog becomes accustomed to the sound you can increase the level and over time and the dog will stop reacting to the sound and concentrate on their reward for not reacting to the loud noises.
I am sure that you have all heard of Pavlov's dog whereby the dog when hearing a bell would salivate as the dog knew that something good was coming his way.
A dog can focus on learning and at the same time the dogs mind can be redirected away from anxiety and fear when they know a reward is coming.
A dog scared of loud noises will soon learn when they receive rewards and the sound won't seem so frightening anymore.
However, bear in mind that some dogs especially abused dogs never fully recover from fear.
In such instances a dog should be kept in a safe and comfortable environment as well as provide the dog with calming tools to help them get through the ordeal.
Many dog owners have made use of the Tellington TTouch technique.
The Tellington TTouch is using a circular touch by moving the dog's skin to activate the cells which in turn send signals to the brain to influence the dog's behavior.
For more information go online and do research on this method for a dog scared of loud noises.
Bear in mind that animals are not accustomed to such noises in their natural environment and such sounds mean that there is danger in the vicinity.
A dog afraid of thunderstorms or any other loud noise is merely acting from instinct.
A dogs hearing sense is four times that of a human and fear presents an extreme emotion in dogs.
Owners need to take into account that a dog frightened of fireworks hears the fireworks four times louder than what humans hear them and obviously will trigger anxiety and fear response.
The minute a dog encounters such episodes they immediately and instinctively start pumping adrenaline and display the flight, fight or freeze reaction.
When humans encounter such dangers they will also respond exactly the same way an animal does.
One you understand this reaction, only then can you begins to understand why your pet reacts with intense fear.
This type of reaction is perfectly normal in both the animal kingdom and human response.
However, measures can be taken to reduce these responses in dogs and teach them that such sounds will not hurt them.
A dog afraid of thunderstorms etc.
should not be smothered or cuddled as this could make matters far worse whereby Fido will identify loud noises with love.
The best way to combat this fear is to pair food with the sound that frightens your dog at a decreased level to begin with.
You can obtain a pre-recorded audio download or CD of thunder, fireworks, etc.
, and each time you play the sound a toy or treat should appear.
Once the dog becomes accustomed to the sound you can increase the level and over time and the dog will stop reacting to the sound and concentrate on their reward for not reacting to the loud noises.
I am sure that you have all heard of Pavlov's dog whereby the dog when hearing a bell would salivate as the dog knew that something good was coming his way.
A dog can focus on learning and at the same time the dogs mind can be redirected away from anxiety and fear when they know a reward is coming.
A dog scared of loud noises will soon learn when they receive rewards and the sound won't seem so frightening anymore.
However, bear in mind that some dogs especially abused dogs never fully recover from fear.
In such instances a dog should be kept in a safe and comfortable environment as well as provide the dog with calming tools to help them get through the ordeal.
Many dog owners have made use of the Tellington TTouch technique.
The Tellington TTouch is using a circular touch by moving the dog's skin to activate the cells which in turn send signals to the brain to influence the dog's behavior.
For more information go online and do research on this method for a dog scared of loud noises.
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