Most of the time they are afraid of loud noises, especially when they are puppies. There are dogs that will outgrow this eventually, but there are also dogs that don’t and may be spooked by stormy nights or Guy Fawkes cookies. If your dog is afraid of loud noises, it can be dangerous, many of them end up lost because they run when they are afraid.
There are dogs that react to loud noises with aggression, growling, barking or biting. There are also dogs that will damage things until the noise stops. This is not a true indicator that your dog is destructive or vicious; they are simply driven by fear.
When your dog is affected by loud noises, it’s stressful for him, but it can also be stressful for you. Don’t give in to the temptation to pet and comfort them. Giving your dog attention won’t actually calm him down, and you won’t be there every time there is a loud noise. Your dog needs to get over your fear of him and not rely on you to comfort him when he’s upset.
You may also be inadvertently teaching your dog to seek a treat by behaving as if he is distressed, which is not an ideal situation. We all want a happy and confident pet.
How do you help your dog overcome his fears?
When there are loud noises, like a thunderstorm or cookies, you should go outside, but not to pet and comfort your dog. You’re going out to distract your dog. There are many ways to distract your dog: play a game, teach him a new trick, or practice tricks he already knows. Whatever you do, you shouldn’t make a fuss, carry on as if it were a normal day.
- Do not pet or comfort your dog.
- act so normal
- distract your dog
- Teach your dog a new trick
- Be patient and don’t get mad at your dog
Once your dog has stopped concentrating on the noise and begins to engage in your training or play, you can reward him with praise, petting, and a treat. He takes time and you have to be constant. You are going to have to be patient when it comes to helping your dog overcome this fear. It may take your dog time to even focus on you instead of the noise. Don’t expect a positive result the first time you try it. Remember that there is no point in getting angry with your dog when he shows fear with loud noises.
At first your dog will experience difficulty ignoring these noises, it takes time for a dog to calm down before he pays attention. By showing patience and being consistent, he will find that he will be rewarded with a much calmer and happier dog. You won’t have to worry about your dog running away on cookie night.