I asked our resident “dog whisperer” Andrea Robinson what we can do to help our pets overcome their fear of these noises.
You can read her insightful reply below:
If your dog is scared of loud noises, and you are afraid he will suffer during the July 4th holiday or summer thunderstorms, you can help him or her out by undertaking a desensitizing program.
Duplicate the sound of fireworks going off or play a tape of the sound (quietly at first). Say something cheerful, like, “Yippee!” while you give him some dog treats. Make sure the treats are special, and use small sizes so he doesn’t get full.
Be enthusiastic and happy, and keep the sessions short, like 2-5 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a few days leading up to the Fourth. He’ll learn that when he hears fireworks, he gets treats.
Most people simply comfort a scared dog while there are loud sounds around him. Unfortunately, that only reinforces his frightened behavior.
It’s like telling the dog, “I agree. These sounds are horrible and you should be scared.” Instead, show him that these sounds are not that bad and that you can have fun while the sounds are taking place. Don’t punish him if he runs off and gets scared.
Instead, try turning down the sound a little and increasing the volume more gradually. Over time, he will begin to relax and will re-focus his attention on you and your reaction to the sound, rather than on the sound itself.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to help your dog relax a little and have a little more fun during the July 4th celebration and those pesky thunderstorms. For more information, call Positive Pet Training at 559-675-8005 or email andreadogtrainer@yahoo.com.
Enjoy your summer!
Copyright 2008 Andrea Robinson All Rights Reserved
