Behaviour

It's that time of year again when we look forward to frosty nights and fantastic firework displays over the Guy Fawkes, Christmas and New Year period. But for some pet owners and their pets it is a time fraught with anxiety and fear.
   
Some dogs are scared of noises. Whatever the reason for this, the fear is real and should be taken seriously. The dog may react in many different ways depending on the individual but one thing is for sure, the fear will become worse and worse every year, so early intervention is imperative. Here are some tips to help you help your dog through this traumatic time plus some behavioural advice to help desensitise your dog to scary sounds.

Tips to help your dog survive fireworks night

• Keep your dog indoors to prevent him running off in fright
• Close the curtains and turn the TV up to try and disguise the fireworks
• Provide a safe haven. Make a dena for your dog to hide in to make him feel safe. He may even have his own safe place to go like under a bed or behind a couch. Let him be - this is his coping strategy
• Use a D.A.P plug in pheromone diffuser. This can have a remarkable calming effect on dogs and makes them feel more secure in their environment. Must be plugged in weeks before the anticipated event though
• Do not reassure him with lots of cuddles and attention. This is the hardest one for us humans, unfortunately, if we do this we only reinforce the feeling that there is something to be scared of as we are rewarding the dog for his behaviour. Remain calm and oblivious to the sounds, your dog will gain confidence from your behaviour
• For extreme fear, your vet may prescribe Valium to help your dog get through the night. This has a slight sedative effect on the dog as well as reducing anxiety. The use of drugs is not ideal though as it does not deal with the underlying issue which really needs to be addressed

Behavioural advice

The most successful way to solve a sound phobia is by desensitising (make the sound less scary) and counter-conditioning (associating the sound with something pleasant). A CD has been made called Sounds Scary, which when used correctly, is very successful in helping to solve the problem. The CD (which has recordings of fireworks on) is initially played at such a low volume as to be inaudible. The dog is brought into the room and is given treats or played with. Over a few sessions the volume is turned up gradually until the dog actually anticipates a game or something good when he hears the sounds. This process should take at least 2 weeks - if you rush you may make the problem worse.  

All behaviour modification takes patience and time, there are no quick fixes. Dogs who exhibit sound phobias can suffer stress that can impact on the rest of their life so seeking help early is very important. If you would like more behavioural advice or would like to discuss your dog's individual problem, please contact us at the surgery.    

Jocelyn Lander RVN DipCABT (Qualified veterinary nurse and animal behaviourist)

There are many misunderstandings about dogs and their behaviour. This website should provide you with some food for thought.
 
Alexandra Semyonova has published a book that I hope will change the way people understand their dogs.The book is intended for both beginners and experts. It takes us through many of the beliefs we have about dogs, explaining what domestic dogs really are and where their behaviour really comes from. It is a fun, easy read that will change the way you see your dog and greatly improve your relationship with him or her.
 

• Dogs are not wolves.
• You do not need to keep your dog "subordinate."
• Dogs build on trust, not on dominance.
• The first, most basic dog rule is "no real aggression." Humans need to learn this.