Noise Anxiety

[twopuppas]

Hi guys, I'm new to the DOL forums, and was just hoping people may have some advice, or even similar situations to me that might help me out.

Here goes:

I have a Maremma Sheepdog, whom, under varying circumstances, ended up as my 'companion.' Instead of guarding sheep, she guards me. She's my best friend and from her puppyhood up until two years of age, she came almost everywhere with me where she was allowed (restaurants, the CBD, outside shopping malls, beaches, etc etc) and was great with other dogs, adults and children. Unfortunately, around when she was two, she came with me to a festival, where unbeknownst to me, they were planning to let off fireworks at 9:30pm (I knew there'd be fireworks, but I was under the assumption they'd be let off closer to midnight, so I was going to leave around 10).

We were standing about one hundred metres with our backs turned to the machine before they were let off. She dragged me about 50 metres across a football field, but I was going so fast that I didn't feel a thing. There were around ten very kind people who all pinned her down for the rest of the fireworks before I could regain control of her again. And after the event, I whisked her home and she was completely fine. It wasn't until we resumed our normal outings that she started misbehaving. She began pulling at the lead trying to get away (we weigh the same, so this was a big problem) and she'd seem fearful and anxious, when normally she heeled perfectly and was in her element being out and about. Eventually I correlated her "bad behaviour" to where there were noises. Any type of 'loud noise,' inclusive of trains, large vehicles, microphones(!), speakers, loud music, and the like.

In the time that's passed, she wears an Adaptil collar, which I can't figure out if it helps or not, and we've been working on desensitisation. She's a lot better than she was, but is really fearful of speakers, but can cope with most other loud noises now. She can still be a little anxious in places, so I can't take her anywhere where I know there's going to be any type of loud noise, and she can never be let off leash if it's isn't 100% fenced in. I know a lot of dogs aren't fond of noise, but this is pretty severe, where she'll pull and pull, and if off leash, will just bolt and completely ignore any commands and anything around her. Her main goal is to get completely away from the noise. We also had a thing where I had her with me in the CBD a few weeks ago and went underneath a train tunnel, where the train was going pass above us. She began shaking and trying desperately to get away from it.

We'll be getting another puppy sometime next year where we'll (obviously) try to avoid traumatising him from noise, but I'm feeling horrible because we'll be taking the puppy out where there's noise and leaving my girl at home. Is this just me feeling stupidly guilty? Although we work on desensitisation as much as possible, I don't think she will ever really recover, and I hate the idea of leaving her at home and taking the other pup out frequently. (We still take her out places, but only if we know there won't be loud noises. She also gets walked at least two times a day, comes hiking, goes on on-leash beach trips, 'doggy' dates, car rides, we also go to the dog park several times a week, and obedience training as well.) We've had a dog behaviourist come in and look at her, but all he did was "train" me on how to use a check chain to get her to heel after she has a freak out, which imo, would probably just worsen the situation.

I'm so sorry for the long post, but I'm hoping people can get a better idea of the story :) and can share some ideas and advice, or even if you've been in a similiar situation.

EDIT: Forgot to note, if there's thunder or fireworks going off outside, and she's inside. She doesn't really seem to care. It's only when she's away from her territory and loud noises occur that the freak outs happen.

Edited November 14, 2015 by whitepuppa

[The Spotted Devil]

Just quickly....in terms of leaving dogs alone I have 3 dogs - 9 years, 5 years and 7 months. They ALL learn to be alone sometimes at home, alone out and about with me or grouped in either scenario as necessary. It is MUCH easier to train a baby without 2 adults distracting me as well!!!

[twopuppas]

Just quickly....in terms of leaving dogs alone I have 3 dogs - 9 years, 5 years and 7 months. They ALL learn to be alone sometimes at home, alone out and about with me or grouped in either scenario as necessary. It is MUCH easier to train a baby without 2 adults distracting me as well!!!

Thanks for replying! :)

I know I'll have to leave her at home sometimes, but it's the stupid human emotions in me that feel guilty :p especially when she's used to just coming along with me all the time. We have foster dogs, and she always comes along to their vet visits, but I'll learn to live with it! Thanks again for your input.

[The Spotted Devil]

Leave the one at home with a nice bone to chew or a stuffed Kong - puppy too! My dogs think being left at home is awesome :D

[twopuppas]

Leave the one at home with a nice bone to chew or a stuffed Kong - puppy too! My dogs think being left at home is awesome :D

That's a great idea! Thank you very much :)

[rusty&biscuit]

Desensitising her is a great idea! Does she love food? If she does, whenever she's eating her meals pull up some noise videos on YouTube and play them on very low volume (so that it's under her threshold of where she gets scared), and do this when she ever has a bone, or kong, etc. Over time you can slowly increase the volume, but it is so important to not ever go over her fear threshold (meaning, the point where she gets scared. We don't, under any circumstances, want her to associate the house, her food, etc, with the scary noise. We want her to barely pay attention to the sounds). I know it's not much, but it's just something that can be done at home. However, I can't stress enough how important it is not to go over that fear threshold...so if you don't feel comfortable doing this then please don't...it's merely a recommendation for if you feel confident in doing so. Mark Singer is a dog trainer with a great reputation who is now located in Melbourne, maybe he could give you a hand? CLICK HERE

Also In Line K9 is another in Melbourne with a great reputation CLICK HERE.

I just saw your location says VIC, and with the description of trains and the CBD I can only assume Melbourne...clearly I've never been to Vic before :laugh:

[twopuppas]

Desensitising her is a great idea! Does she love food? If she does, whenever she's eating her meals pull up some noise videos on YouTube and play them on very low volume (so that it's under her threshold of where she gets scared), and do this when she ever has a bone, or kong, etc. Over time you can slowly increase the volume, but it is so important to not ever go over her fear threshold (meaning, the point where she gets scared. We don't, under any circumstances, want her to associate the house, her food, etc, with the scary noise. We want her to barely pay attention to the sounds). I know it's not much, but it's just something that can be done at home. However, I can't stress enough how important it is not to go over that fear threshold...so if you don't feel comfortable doing this then please don't...it's merely a recommendation for if you feel confident in doing so. Mark Singer is a dog trainer with a great reputation who is now located in Melbourne, maybe he could give you a hand? CLICK HERE

Also In Line K9 is another in Melbourne with a great reputation CLICK HERE.

I just saw your location says VIC, and with the description of trains and the CBD I can only assume Melbourne...clearly I've never been to Vic before :laugh:

That's a great idea!! Thank you :) Thank you also for the recommendations. Yes by the CBD I do mean Melbourne city, I was thinking of just saying the city, but wasn't sure if that's what everyone else calls it! Train noises on Youtube it is then :)

[Sheridan]

My Bunny is quite noise sensitive. I've assumed this was from the plane.

[twopuppas]

My Bunny is quite noise sensitive. I've assumed this was from the plane.

Love the name :) Do you find it easy to manage?

[Guest crazydoglady99]

There are actually apps that play various noises you can get for phone or whatever to help with desensitization. There's a dog training mob I used to follow on facebook who used to show many videos.

I think the place was called 'sound proof puppy training' or something along those lines if you fancy looking for them on Facebook.

Good luck!!!

[Sheridan]

My Bunny is quite noise sensitive. I've assumed this was from the plane.

Love the name :) Do you find it easy to manage?

New noises get a lot of barking. If they repeat she gets used to them. We've had a lot of planes flying over today which she started barking at then ignored.

There's an app called Pup School, which has noises recorded. I used it when she was little. There's also a record function.

[twopuppas]

There are actually apps that play various noises you can get for phone or whatever to help with desensitization. There's a dog training mob I used to follow on facebook who used to show many videos.

I think the place was called 'sound proof puppy training' or something along those lines if you fancy looking for them on Facebook.

Good luck!!!

I wasn't aware of this at all. Thank you very much, and I will go looking for them :)

[twopuppas]

My Bunny is quite noise sensitive. I've assumed this was from the plane.

Love the name :) Do you find it easy to manage?

New noises get a lot of barking. If they repeat she gets used to them. We've had a lot of planes flying over today which she started barking at then ignored.

There's an app called Pup School, which has noises recorded. I used it when she was little. There's also a record function.

Thank you! I will definitely look into this!