Fireworks and Loud Noises Phobia in Dogs

Dogs can have fears and phobias just like humans do. Even if it may seem silly to us, the fear is real to them. For dogs, loud noises such as cars backfiring, fireworks, noise from construction, planes etc can have a profound effect on their behaviour.

Fear of noises like all behaviour can be caused by a number of contributing factors including genetics, previous learning experiences, the environment and physiology.

Perhaps your dog has a genetic predisposition to being sensitive to noises, or they had a previous experience as a puppy that scared them such as a loud clap of thunder.

Some dogs can habituate to certain noises if they are exposed to them on a regular basis. A great example of this are dogs that live under a flight path or near an airforce base. The loud planes/jets can startle those of us who are not used to it, but if you live with it day in day out, you get used to it.

However, if the exposure is stressful, repeated exposure can cause sensitisation, rather than desensitisation. For example, if your dog is scared of the vacuum cleaner, using the vacuum cleaner for 1 week for an hour each day, will mostly likely cause sensitisation rather than habituation (e.g. over exposure).

What you can do immediately if your dog is scared from a noise.

If your dog is scared of a loud noise (it could be a one off noise or a continuing noise), there are some steps you can take to help them:

• Provide a safe, quiet space such as a room, crate, under a table, even walk in wardrobe that is OPTIONAL for your dog to use. (you don’t want to force your dog into somewhere they aren’t comfortable)
• If you are out with your dog, you may need to retreat away from the noise, to your car or somewhere safe.
• Be there with them and provide comfort
• Play music/TV with calming music or sound that may mask the loud noise
• Provide chewing or licking as a calming activity

Training to help in the future.

Once you have identified the noises your dog is scared of, there is a training process you can follow to help them.

• Desensitisation is a process where we can gradually change the way a dog feels about a perceived scary situation such as a loud noise, to help them feel less sensitive about it.
• Counter conditioning is the process where a dog learns to associate a scary or aversive
  stimuli (such as a loud noise) with something nice.

Combining systematic desensitisation (gradually increased exposure to something scary) and counterconditioning (making the scary thing a predictor of something nice) is more effective in reducing fear than using either technique alone.

For example, when fireworks occur, you feed your dog treats and play games they like. However, the noise needs to be at a volume or proximity to where your dog can be calm (so for fireworks you would start playing/feeding treats inside with as much noise cancellation as possible). If they are very scared, they will go into flight or fight mode which means they can’t learn.

Plan ahead

It’s difficult with dogs and loud noises especially if you don’t know when they will happen. Fireworks are generally scheduled and of course at certain times of the year such as New Years Eve, so some planning can occur.

Products to help

There are products available that may help some dogs with mild noise phobias including;

• Zylkene
• Adaptil
• Calming chews and supplements
• Calming wraps e.g. ThunderShirts

How should you behave if your dog is scared?

There is lots of information available about what to do yourself if your dog is scared of a noise. Some is based on the idea that you shouldn’t comfort your dog as you don’t want
to ‘reward’ their fear. This simply isn’t correct.

Fear is an emotional and involuntary state. You can’t reinforce behaviour driven by emotions. So, comforting your dog is OK! Try to provide support in the form that your dog gets benefit from. Some dogs may get more agitated if you cuddle or smother them. A lot of dogs may prefer calm touch such as being next to you. This can help them feel more safe and secure.

You may find it successful to play with your dog, particularly if they value a game such as fetch or tug.

It is normal for us humans to become more sensitive to a noise if our dog fears it – because we worry about them and often don’t know how to help them. Our advice is to try to be calm and continue on as normal.

For more serious phobias or if your dog’s quality of life is affected, we recommend seeking the help of a board certified Behaviour vet.