When the Boom is Worse than the Bark

Fireworks at the Fourth of July or thunderstorms can all strike fear into any dog. Research has recently found that some breeds are more predisposed to quaking in their paws than others.

The American Animal Hospital Association conducted a survey that revealed certain breeds and life experiences caused dogs to react differently to loud noises and other noxious stimuli. Reacting quickly to events going on around a pet can have a life saving genetic component. It is believed that herding and sporting breeds, for instance, would be more inclined to startle readily because it is their ‘job’ to protect a flock or retrieve a downed quarry. These breeds need to stay on their toes at all times.

Occurrences in your pets’ past can also shape the manner in which it handles stress. If your pet was frightened by a loud sound that it could not identify and it had no way to escape the auditory deluge, the next time it experienced this or a similar racket, its anxiety level could easily escalate. Noise phobias are one of the most common fears from which pets suffer. Their panic can be so intense that they can injure themselves trying to escape. They may also destroy a house or yard to which they are confined.

Noise phobias are one of the most common fears from which pets suffer.

Sometimes just being home with your pet during a thunderstorm may be enough. But since we can’t always predict when one is going to occur, gradual desensitization to the din is a good alternative. Purchase a rainstorm ’sound effects’ tape or CD. First play the bothersome clatter at a very low volume. Gradually increase the volume over a period of weeks or possibly even months until your neighbors start to wonder if you are conducting a sound check for a local grunge band. If during this process you find a volume at which your pet becomes fearful, but it is less than the real thing, reduce the volume to the point where your pet was at ease and even more gradually increase the volume over time.

Pets that are adopted as older animals may have noise issues or other phobias. Patience and understanding are critical no matter what fear your pet is experiencing. There are medications and animal psychologists that can be of assistance when love is not enough. For further information on phobias, see your veterinarian because it is “Your Pet…Health Matters.”