When your dog shows fear to loud environmental noises such as thunder, fireworks, sirens, gunshots, loud vehicles, vacuums, etc., this is your cue to desensitize your dog or puppy from these sounds. When loud noises unexpectedly startle your dog, your four legged friend may physically react with aggression, chewing, whining, whimpering, barking, submissive urination or avoidance by running away from the noise or trying to hide from it. This is a serious problem, but you can prevent it or correct it by using the Scared Dog Audio program.
The Scared Dog Audio program can help your dog overcome fears and phobias to over forty different environmental noises. In the beginning, play the audio at a very low volume that is barely audible to you. This will allow your dog to hear the audio without being startled or frightened. Do not leave your dog alone when using this program.
Keep your audio sessions short and fun. Distract your dog’s attention away from the audio sounds with positive attention and interaction such as easy obedience commands (sit, down, here, etc.), playing with a favorite toy, verbal praise and special yummy food treats. Remember that keeping your dog in motion (running, playing, etc.) relieves stress and anxiety.
You may need to start off only playing the audio for a few minutes at a time per session and slowly increase the duration of the audio sessions. Monitor your dog and always error on the side of caution. Every dog is different and some dogs take longer to desensitize than others. Be patient.
If your dog initially reacts fearfully to the audio, do not comfort your dog verbally or with touch. For example: “It’s okay Fido”. This will only re-enforce the behavior you want to correct. Instead, get your dog moving and then reward lavishly with verbal praise, toys and/or treats. You want your dog to associate fun positive things with loud noises.
When you notice that your dog has become accustomed to the sounds produced by the Scared Dog Audio program it is time to slightly increase the volume. Continue your interaction during sessions. Be sure to play the audio in different locations or areas of your home so that your dog does not learn to associate loud noises only in one place. Continue to slowly increase the volume level of the Scared Dog Audio program as your dog’s comfort level allows.
Your ultimate goal is to play the Scared Dog Audio program at a loud volume level and have your dog’s reaction be a calm and confident indifference to the noise.
