Living with ex-racing greyhounds is such a joy for me and my husband Steve. Our girls, Mimi, Phoebe and Sophie, are sweet but extremely sensitive to noises. With the 4th of July just around the corner we are already suffering from loud neighborhood pops and whistles. When even the most distant firecracker lets loose, poor Phoebe absolutely panics. It breaks my heart to see her go into such emotional agony.
Being part of a group called GreySave has been a blessing for us. The folks involved in the volunteer organization are very generous with their time and free advice, and we sure appreciate all the guidance they’ve given us over the years.
A couple of days ago we received an email from Bonnie Jeffers, a GreySave volunteer, with recommendations on how to handle dogs when it comes to summer noises. Although she wrote the message with greyhounds in mind, I am sure the advice will work well with other breeds too. Here is an abbreviated version of her message:
Summer brings loud noises such as fireworks and thunder; and for some greyhounds, that means huddling in fear in a closet or bathroom. Even worse, the dog may try to jump through a window, bolt through a door, or escape from a leash. It is heartbreaking to watch a dog in panic, and the results can be fatal.
Before helping your dogs, however, you must confront your own emotions. Dogs can read [their masters] like books; you cannot fool them. Think how often your dog has responded to your mood when you have been sad or anxious. If you are afraid of thunder or irritated by firecrackers, your dog will feed on your emotion. You must confront those emotions within you in order to be a calm, confident pack leader. Take a deep breath and try to relax yourself before you begin the activities suggested below.
If your dogs have not already developed a fear of loud noises, you can do the following to make sure they remain calm during summer noises. You want to make loud noises a signal of good things rather than a time of fear.
1) Bring out the treats. Whenever the “boom” hits, give them a treat.
2) Distract. Engaging the dogs’ minds helps distract them from their fear. Practice commands your dog already knows such as “sit” and “shake.” This is not a time to teach new commands. Play ball or any other game the dog enjoys. Play the radio or TV to help muffle the loud noises.
If your dog already has a fear of loud noises, you have a much harder task. Concentrate on step two above. Don’t give treats (rewards) when the dog is shaking and cowering. Wait to give the reward until the dog begins to respond to the play, etc.
1) Don’t reinforce fear. Often efforts to comfort a fearful dog only reward and reinforce that behavior. Never do the baby voice cooing “poor baby, everything is ok” routine. In dog language this is read as weakness on your part. The dog hears you, as the pack leader, sounding intimidated by the situation and responds with fear. Always keep an upbeat, “we’re happy, and everything is fine” voice and manner.
2) Desensitize. If your dog already has developed a fear of loud noises, it may be very difficult to break that while the dog is in an anxious state. Start now desensitizing the dog. Buy a CD of a thunderstorm; play it daily for 15-30 minutes while your dog is resting beside you, playing with you, or eating (i.e. positive times). Begin playing the CD at low volumes. Over a period of days, slowly work up to louder and louder volumes until it sounds like the real thing. Periodically throw the dog a treat as long as he remains calm and focused on what you are doing. Each day try to slowly push the boundaries of your dog’s comfort slightly, but stop before he begins to panic. Try to not leave your dog alone during fireworks or thunder until you are sure that he or she is not afraid of the noise. Prepare now to help your greyhound adjust to this summer’s noises.
