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Canine Behavior/anxiety
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Question
I have a 2 year old mix breed that has suddenly developed severe anxiety during fireworks, storms and other loud noises. She begins to pace, pant heavily, and shake. She has never done this before and I am very concerned that she has now started. Any help would be appriciated.
I've seen this sort of behavior in many, many dogs but have never had it in any of my own, due mainly to my habit of IGNORING the initial fear response in the dog. Your dog perceives you as the "pack leader" and will VERY closely observe you during episodes of fireworks, storms, etc. Whatever set the dog off for the first time, your response to that fear most likely heavily contributed to its continuance. And who can blame you! Our first instinct is to COMFORT..but touch is a PRIMARY REINFORCER in dogs, and the dog WILL construe the touch as a REWARD for its fear.
If you know that fireworks will be occurring, you can ask your Veterinarian to prescribe a mild sedative or anti-anxiety drug (e.g. for the 4th of July). You can't control STORMS of course, nor car backfires, slamming doors, etc., but your dog has begun to generalize ALL loud and startling noises, so the first thing you must do is LOOK at yourself! If your startle response is strong, you need to start laughing...yes, laughing...(it works!)..to demonstrate to your dog that there really IS no problem. Unfortunately, some fear responses, once obtained, are very difficult to eradicate in some dogs. SO: ignore the fear you see in the dog; in fact, you might remove yourself altogether for up to a minute and see if the dog's fear has decreased during your absence. Learn to lighten up and, even if you hate thunderstorms with a passion (as I do!), laugh and smile and try to relax, demonstrating to your dog that the "leader" is not concerned. Any further questions, please don't hesitate to repost.
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Answers by Expert:
Jill Connor, Ph.D.
Expertise
I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.
Experience
30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.
Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals
Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training"
"The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"
Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley
Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc.
Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society
My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.
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