Very frightened dog

[irene lesley]

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Jodie came to live with me in April last year. She is a labrador trained as a gun dog. In November she became very frightened by a very loud thunderstorm directly overhead as we were going out. She subsequently became very nervous of noises. Gradually getting better until about 4 weeks ago. I live in Norfolk on the edge of a large army training area and 4 weeks ago there was intense artillery fire and simulated bombing lasting a couple of days. Jodie became very frightened, trembling and panting. I couldn't pacify her. after that she jumped and trembled at any sudden noise and didn't want to go out of the garden. The vet prescribed diazapam which has stopped her trembling at noises. But she doesn't want to go for walks. She will get in the car but won't get out when we reach anywhere to walk. The only place she will go is in the garden to relieve herself. She used to love her walks. I just want my dog back! help!

 

[JoanneF]

I don't have an answer but didn't want to read and run. We have a member who is a really great source of info on behaviour issues so I am sure she will post later.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Noise phobia is a very difficult thing to deal with. It is important that your dog is allowed to retreat to her "safe" place when she reacts to a noise. This may be close to you or it may be to another area where she feels safe. For some reason this can be a car. On other occasions it might be under the bed etc. If she retreats to a safe place it is best to leave her alone.

Do whatever you can to deaden the noises by drawing curtains, turning up radio/tv. Act as relaxed as you can so that she gains confidence from your demeanour. Singing and laughing can help to convince some dogs that you are not at all worried by the noises.

The recognised treatment is to desensitise the dog to noises by playing recorded noises at a very, very low level as often as you can. The sound level should be loud enough for the dog to hear the noise but not so loud that it scares the dog. If the dog reacts to the noise it is too scared to learn. Anxiety prevents learning. You can purchase cd's of common noises. "Sounds Scary" is one of them. I don't think that artillery noise is one of those included on the cd! I am not sure how technical you are but could you record the artillery noises so that you can play them over and over again at such a low level that your dog could become desensitised?

An Adaptil room diffuser might help. Some people use Rescue Remedy. Not sure about Diazepam. Vets used to use ACP which is a muscle relaxant and that was a disaster for noise phobic dogs. The dog was just as scared but just unable to escape As you seem to be getting good results from Diazepam I would continue with it. There is a complete dog food, designed to help anxious dogs, called "Breakthrough" which is getting really good reviews. It is certainly helping my dog with his, various, anxieties.

It would help if the low level recorded noises were played as though they are coming from the windows and doors so that they sound more realistic to the dog. As time goes on and your dog learns to ignore the low level of recorded noise you can increase the sound level, very slowly, bit by bit until they are quite loud.

Unfortunately, some dogs are not convinced by recorded noises or they are scared of the vibrations. If this is the case then using every tool to help your dog relax during storms or artillery fire is all you can do.

A behaviourist from either COAPE of APBC might be able to help.