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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Noise phobia.

7 replies

Shosha1 · 10/11/2020 07:44

We have a 9 year old Staffy. Born and brought up on Salisbury Plain amongst the guns,tanks and explosions going off.
Up till two years ago the noise didn't bother her. Never even lifted her head.
Two years ago the idiot bwhind us set off loads of rockets from his garden on Firework night and this did upset her.
Since then she has got gradually worse.
We have used the plug in and she would settle down.
Then last week, the Fireworks again went off behind the house. Fir FOUR nights in a row. She is a complete mess. To the point she starts to shake as it gets dark.
Yesterday i had to pick up Grandchild from school (regular childcare before anyone asks about lockdown) i was gone for a hour.
I had shut her in the hallway which is the most soundproofed room in the house. Her crate is also there. I used the travel spray to spray inside her crate. Made sure the plug was on and left her. The guns were goingbiff in the distance, but not enough to rattle the windows. (They can at times)
Came back to a demolished bathroom door. And a dog panting and shaking.

Its not possible to never leave her alone.
I think lockdown didn't help as she had somebody with her constantly.

I have a vet appointment later. But any ideas how to help her?

OP posts:
PollyRoulson · 10/11/2020 08:43

Get a vet referral to a qualified behaviourist. Noise phobia is a difficult one to crack but can only really be helped by the professionals. Your insurance may pay for this

rottengreentomatoes · 10/11/2020 13:51

Sympathy we have a very similar situation with our dog. Noise reactive since an experience 8 months ago and we've been making good progress with a behaviourist but 5 nights of constant fireworks and he's way over his threshold and hard to bring back. Like your girl he is now terrified as soon as it starts to get dark and his fear has now generalised to the whole of our house. Has hardly eaten. We are mostly trying to provide him with positive experiences to bring him back once he starts to stress - lots of scent work, walks (he's happy to be outside even in the dark), meaty bones, new toys and lots of play, watching his cues etc. It breaks my heart though and i started to think last night that if it continues we should have him pts because its just such a terrible quality of life for him right now. I know its a massive over reaction and he's only 18 months old.

SlothMama · 10/11/2020 15:03

Dorwest skullcap and valerian drops or tablets can really help with anxiety

Shosha1 · 11/11/2020 06:26

Saw the vet last evening and she has been prescribed NutraCalm. So will see how they work. Also spoke to a behaviourist. She has said that by cuddling her and such we are affirming its frightening, so we are just to talk to her gently but firmly that everything is ok. More walks, which is difficult as I am now disabled, so its down to DH, but I am playing more during the day with her.
Will see how she goes today

OP posts:
PollyRoulson · 11/11/2020 10:05

PLease please please change your behaviourist. The advice that you are cuddling her is stuck in the 1970's it is wrong. Scientifically it is wrong, emotionally it is wrong and if they are saying this you will never get yor dog sorted.

More walks hearing the noise will increase her anxiety, you can not tire her out of her fear. If you want to pm I can send you details of a qualified behaviourist who will give you methods that will help. The advice you have been given will make things worse.

Sorry Nutra calm is a good place to start pharmaceutically.

moosemama · 11/11/2020 10:13

Definitely find another behaviourist.

vanillandhoney · 11/11/2020 16:14

Please, please don't stop comforting your dog.

That advice is very old fashioned and not backed up by science. If your dog is frightened and wants reassurance, please give them that.

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