There have been abundant cases of noise pollution invoking fear and anxiety among dogs that induce intense panic attacks. We all love a festive party, but the nagging sound of clamoring noises can set even the jolliest of us off. Dogs are sincerely aversive to cacophonic noises. The season of fireworks or loud festivities can be unsettling for your pup. Fear of certain things or noise phobia in dogs is a common bug that pet owners deal with.
Fear, anxiety, and noise phobia among dogs often be used inappropriately and interchangeably. But these are varied terms and should be understood accordingly. Fear is a behavioral reaction to anything that strikes a threat or harm. Anxiety can respond to heightened fear of anything that induces stress or tension. A phobia is an extreme fear of a stimulus that intensifies the potential threat of a particular thing. Noise phobia is an extreme aversion to anything, big or small; for instance, due to fireworks, thunderstorms, traffic noise, loud music, etc.
Comforting can be counterproductive
Our parenting instincts always lead us to pet and caress our pal whenever we find them troubled through fear or anxiety. But this petting can be miscommunicated as a reward and misconstrue the message. They might take this as compensation, further reinforcing the overtly anxious behavior. It has been pointed out that coddling or petting might only lead to worsening anxiety inducement in dogs.
How To Deal With Noise Phobia In Dogs?
Create A Safe space
When scared, we all rush back to the most comforting, safe, and sound place. Start prepping to create a relaxed haven for your doggo when you feel they start developing fear or phobic behaviors. A dark room with great quietness to dodge the noise can be comforting. Leave your babe there for some time. You can either let them be on their own or accompany them quietly. Cozy up the space with treats and toys to make it more homely.
Your dog might have a safe space reserved on their own, for instance, under the bed, near the table, or somewhere they are off to when hit with fear. Let the habit stay that way, supply it with toys and stuff, and make it noise-proof and comfy.
Ward off the background buzz
Sometimes the noise outside is beyond your control. But you can soothe the burgeoning noise by playing relaxing music or sound inside. Usually, it’s advised to tone down the music and keep it soft and calming. There might be a specific sound that your pet finds smoothing, be observant of those and play them whenever anxiety knocks on the door. Not all dogs are identical, so experiment with different music or sounds to know what best suits your pet.
Induce De-sensitization
Fear can also be overcome by slowly introducing the object of dread to your pal and getting them used to it. Observe what sounds alarm your pet the most. Fetch recordings of the noise your dog is aversive, tune it down and swiftly play it to your pup. Slowly increase the frequency when you see they have gotten used to the tune. Regulate this orderly and make sure not to make it too intense that it ends up inducing anxiety in your dog. The process of de-sensitization can be helpful but might not work well in some instances.
Apply gentle pressures
If your pet allows it, apply gentle pressure on their body. As soon as you lean or exert pressure, you will notice the muscles relax. This helps in calming the tensed muscles.
Not every time your pet would prefer this; they might stiffen or stray away from it and be further anxious. So, make sure your pet is comfortable.
There are certain fragrances or oils which help in coping with anxiety and post-traumatic among dogs. Sandalwood, Violet leaf, and Rose Otto are such scents. They can be efficient in dealing with noise phobias in dogs. It is alright to develop a noise phobia; punishing the unwanted behaviors born out of anxiety can only worsen the situation. Resort to more calming means to help your puppy. Be observant and kind to your favorite pal. A little bit of patience goes a long way. Follow JaldeeVets Blogs for more such enticing reads.