Noise Sensitivity

Many dogs find noises unpleasant and are scared during thunderstorms or fireworks. Since life brings many surprises and we cannot prevent all bad experiences, it is important to get dogs used to different noises, but without worrying or frightening them. An individual training plan, patience and, in many cases, a visit to the vet and/or the vetbehavorist are tools to train noise sensitive dogs. According to studies, many noise-sensitive dogs either suffer from physical discomfort/pain and/or have also other behavioral challenges.

Wendeline

Wendeline was a very calm and relaxed young dog who didn't care whether there was a thunderstorm outside or whether fireworks enlightened the sky. We diligently attended dog school and got to know different noises, too. Since Wendeline always took everything in a calm manner, I sometimes thought, if this type of training was necessary for her.

And BAM! One day after the lesson, lightning hit the house with a huge noise, at the exact same moment as I opened the door to leave the dog school with Wendeline. We were all shocked, but Wendeline was most affected.

After this event, it was heartbreaking to see Wendeline shaking in the basement during every thunderstorm or fireworks. She chose the cellar herself to escape the noise, was shaking, didn't take treats and was nervous for days.

Although she doesn't remain completely relaxed during thunderstorms or fireworks and can "smell" the storm hours in advance, we're miles in the right direction today both in terms of how she reacts to the noise and how quickly she calms down afterwards.

The thunderstorm shock happened many years ago, but our journey continues with training and patience but we also have lots of fun. I don't know whether Wendeline can ever remain completely relaxed during the storm or the fireworks. But I look forward to every step in the right direction. I can’t say for sure whether the preventative training helped, but I firmly believe that it helped Wendeline overcome her fears better.

In the video you see Wendeline playing and learning that training and noise she makes is lots of fun.

Course plan: Noise Sensitivity (NSY)