The Explosive Link Between Dogs and Fireworks
If the thought of 4th of July fireworks has you worried and concerned about your anxious dog, you’re not alone. According to Dr. Sharon Campbell, an expert on dog anxiety, about a third of all dogs suffer from noise aversion.
What is Noise Aversion
Noise aversion or noise anxiety is a medical condition similar to a human panic attack. Dogs who are affected suffer extreme anxiety when they hear loud noises such as fireworks, thunder, vacuum cleaners, and sometimes loud trucks. Untreated, a fearful dog could become destructive, injure itself, or escape. The behavior is so disruptive and frustrating for owners that many give up. Animal shelters are filled with dogs suffering from untreated anxiety disorders.
Treatment Options
The two most common treatment options are medication and training. Both can be effective.
Medication: Sileo is an oromuscular gel that targets noise aversion. It’s available from your vet and on Chewy.com for about $11.00/ML (prescription). This is highly effective at treating the symptoms and a great option for older dogs-especially rescues-who might not benefit as much from training.
Desensitization Training: Early training is the ideal solution for changing how your dog perceives noise since it permanently reframes its behavior. Noise desensitization uses the classical conditioning and positive reward techniques used to train service dogs and K-9 teams that serve in the military. Look for a trainer who uses Positive Training techniques. This is a long-term training project, not a quick fix, so follow an online training guide, be patient with your pup, and/or hire a professional trainer specializing in Noise Desensitization.
If your dog fears loud noises, seek advice from your vet for treatment options. With proper care, you can enjoy many happy years together without the constant worry about their anxiety and fears.
If you’re not ready to commit to a training program or medication isn’t your thing, try these other options.
Escape to a Quieter Location: This is a great solution for predictable noises like fireworks, but not for vacuum cleaners, garbage trucks, or thunder.
Sound-absorbing Ear Guards: the Rex Ear Pro has mixed reviews, mostly about the fit. If your dog has minimal anxiety, this might help.
What To Do Now
Be sure your dog is wearing identifying tags and is microchipped. If your dog is particularly anxious around noise, you might consider a tracking device such as a Fi Collar; a scared dog will bolt and cover a lot of distance to escape the noise.
Have a safe holiday! If your dog suffers from noise aversion, let us know in the comments what has worked or hasn’t worked for you.