What can I do about my dog's fear of loud noises and thunderstorms?

 

 

The fact is most dogs have a fear of something. Many fear loud noises regardless of if they have trauma related to noise or not. It’s always a good idea to try to lessen the fears of your dog or they will most likely get worse.

The two most common responses dogs have to the anxiety caused by fear of noise are to run away or some form of destructive behavior (chewing, digging, etc).  These behaviors can be modified by introducing a mild form of the noise and giving your dog a really special treat when he becomes afraid. The treat will act to counter the fear and soon your dog will expect to receive the special treat when he hears a storm approaching. This is due to a basic psychological effect known as operant conditioning. You can try this on your own or seek out a professional animal trainer/behaviorist.

We’ve provided some links below to more resources on this subject. As always, if your dog displays extreme behaviors please consult a veterinarian.

Resource links: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/fear_thunder_loud_noises.html

http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com/thunderstorm-phobia.aspx

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