TREATING NOISE PHOBIAS

Environmental Modification

Environmental treatment can start out with some very basic environmental changes. We will out line suggestions below along with links to helplful products that can be purchased on the provided website links.  

• Simply bringing the pet indoors can help.  Some dogs are fine as long as the owners are present and in the room with them. Some dogs will relax just being near their owner or lying alongside their owner.  Close contact and body pressure is fine if it soothes the dog and helps him relax. 

• The dog should be rewarded with praise or treats ONLY WHEN he shows relaxed behavior and postures. We do not want owners to be "mean" to their dogs, but they must be aware to not inadvertently reinforce fearful behavior.  Inappropriate coddling, acting anxious yourself, or rewarding the dog for being fearful by telling them it is "ok" can be detrimental. 

• Providing "white" or background noise to block out the stimulus often helps.  Try turning on a fan, playing the radio, or turning on the TV.  Sometimes moderately loud Rock or Rap music, with a methodical and regular down beat, can block out the erratic storm noises. Dr. Salle J Foote provides a great list of suggested music at this link Playlist for Downbeat Music for Noise & Storm Phobia.
   
• Alternatively, playing soothing music such as the Through a Dog's Ear CDs may help. These CDs were developed by Dr. Susan Wagner,a board-certified veterinary neurologist, and Joshua Leeds a sound researcher, music producer, and one of few published authorities in the field of psychoacoustics.
  
  The Music of Through a Dog's Ear has been clinically tested on more than 150 dogs. It is recommended that this calming CD music is first played when the dog is not exhibiting anxiety. This allows the dog to associate the calming music with a positive state of being. After doing this at least four times, proceed to using it when the dog is exhibiting anxiety. If the music doesn't keep the dog calm at first, stop and use it several more times while not exhibiting anxiety. This music is psychoacoustically designed to calm dogs. 

The ThunderBand is another sound muffling product that wraps around the ears to offer a sense of security.

Allow the dog to find a safe haven.  This may be in the bathtub, in a laundry basket, under a table or bed, in the closet, or in a crate.  A darkened and quiet room such as a basement or interior bathroom without windows can be ideal.  A commercial product that can cover a crate,called the Thunder Hut is available that muffles sound and creates a safe haven inside. 

If using a crate, it is important to gradually habituate the dog to the crate.  A dog should learn to enjoy and rest in the crate BEFORE using the crate for storm phobia.  There are many behavior references with tips on crate training, here is one from the Denver Dumb Friends League DDFL Crate Training Handout that offer tips on positively acclimating dogs to crates and crate training. 

If your dog does seek refuge in its "safe place" do not attempt to make the dog come out, or try to pull it out.  This can sometimes cause defensive aggression in a frightened dog. 

For Other Methods of Treatment for Noise Phobias, Click the links below!

Behavior Modification--Counter Conditioning (CC) and Desensitization (DS)

DAP Pheromone Therapy

Body Wraps and Capes 

Medications--Nutraceutical or Herbal Supplements and Prescription Behavior Modifying Drugs