It’s normal for loud noises to startle humans and animals. But if booms, cracks, and pops that seem normal to you cause your dog to shake, they may be suffering from a condition commonly referred to as ‘dog noise anxiety.’ Dog noise anxiety is a problem in canines that typically result in behavioral issues such as avoidance, whining, crying, barking, trembling, shaking, panting, drooling, and even attempts to run away. While some dogs can manage with a mild case of anxiety, many do not and this is harmful to their wellbeing.
The most common causes of this type of anxiety are bangs from fireworks or gunshots, thunderstorms, and traffic noise. However, dogs can develop this type of debilitating anxiety regardless of how inconsequential the sound may be. Millions of dogs suffer from some degree of noise anxiety and it can be a real problem for their owners to deal with.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE FOR DOG NOISE ANXIETY?
There are different treatment options for dog noise anxiety and all will require your understanding and patience. Keep in mind that helping your furry BFF overcome noise anxiety is a gradual process – don’t get discouraged after a few days of trying these solutions.
Behavioral Conditioning
This approach takes a great deal of thought and practice. The goal is to help your dog self-manage anxiety through teaching them coping mechanisms while adding distractions. For behavioral conditioning you’ll need to create a safe place (e.g. a dog bed in an open-door crate in a laundry room). Many pet parents find some success by also playing soothing classical music. Through treats and training, you can get your dog to go to their safe place during historically known anxious provoking situations.
Pet CBD
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a substance that has some good scientific backing as a potent solution against a wide range of conditions including anxiety disorders. Available in different forms, CBD can help your dog better tolerate anxiety through biological responses. It does this through interacting with receptors in the brain that sends calming signals to the body.
Pressure Vests
Another option to consider is pressure vests. These garments help to distribute pressure over the back and sides of your dog. This causes a calming effect that’s similar to hugging a person. Scientifically-speaking, the pressure vests aid the release of endorphins that promote a sense of wellbeing in dogs, thus helping to combat anxiety.
In-Ear Noise Protection: Dog Earplugs
In-ear noise protection works by reducing the amount of noise that reaches the ears. Unlike other options, this solution aims to drastically reduce the likelihood of your pet hearing the noise that leads to anxiety and fear. It is an extremely effective way to prevent the problem rather than trying to avoid the anxiety-invoking sounds. In-ear protection is also great because it is made to fit a dog’s ear canal so the chances of them falling out are extremely low.
Our CrittEar in-ear dog earplugs have a patented fit that sends soothing signals to your dog’s body. Dogs have a head/ear-based pressure point (GV-20) that naturally calms when stimulated. Activating this pressure point is important for relief of noise sensitivity and anxiety.
Solution For Dog Noise Anxiety Can Often Be A Combination Of Things
If your dog suffers from noise anxiety, you may find success by trying one or as many as all of these recommendations. We always recommend behavioral training. Just like with humans, dogs can learn not to fear certain things – and with a lot of patience and understanding your dog may flourish. However, you can also help expedite their ability to tolerate noise through minimizing offending sounds with our dog earplugs. They have an incredible record of success!
