Thunder and loud noises can cause very strong reactions in many dogs. Even large, usually brave dogs can be reduced to a quivering mess by the sound of a thunderstorm. Fear of loud noises is common in pets and can develop into a phobia. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to train a dog to tolerate loud or frightening sounds after he is afraid of them.
Dogs become increasingly fearful of a loud sound the more they hear it, and this fear can even generalize to include other sounds. For example, dogs that are afraid of the sound of thunder may also develop a phobia of the sounds of cars backfiring or fireworks.
A dog experiencing fear will salivate, tremble, pace, pant, freeze, and attempt to escape or hide. Some dogs will even insult themselves while trying to escape. Dogs have been known to jump through glass in an attempt to escape.
If the scary noise occurs when you are not around or the dog is home alone, you may be arriving at a scene of destruction, as the dog will have been frantically trying to escape or hide. Accidents on the ground will also be a manifestation of the phobia, as some dogs will involuntarily defecate or urinate when frightened.
If your dog has a noise phobia, you should try to engage the services of a veterinary behaviorist who can recommend medications to help calm your dog in these conditions. If you are at home and your dog begins to show fear in this way, the last thing you should do is try to reassure him. Petting and trying to reassure your dog at this sensitive time will only serve to impose fear on him, as in simple terms you are rewarding her fearful behavior. The best way to help your dog cope with this stressful situation is to behave in an upbeat and happy manner with the dog and try to entertain her attention. Try to get your dog’s attention and keep him busy with any task.
In severe cases, desensitization programs may be tried, initially using recorded recordings of the sound that startles your dog at a low volume. You can gradually increase the volume of the sound, stopping when the dog is afraid. A canine behaviorist or veterinarian can offer extensive advice on how to design a desensitization program that is appropriate for your dog’s particular phobia.
