Noise phobia

[Toller_08]

I've only ever had one noise phobic dog. Tango (Toller/Border Collie) was awful with thunderstorms, fireworks, strong winds, loud noises on the surround sound system, etc. She had a bad experience around 6 months old with a loud thunderous type noise, and my dad thought it'd be a good idea to coddle her and tell her she was ok, and since that day she would pant, shake, drool all over herself, etc. whenever there was an incoming storm or a windy day. I think if he'd ignored her (I made him stop when he did that first night as soon as I caught him) she wouldn't have been quite as stressed, but I think it was also just who she was. And a couple of siblings were the same way, so I wonder if it was genetic.

I've never really made an effort to get my dogs used to storms. Just treated it like no big deal/any regular day when they happened as puppies. None of them (aside from Tango) have ever cared. I've often wondered whether one of those storm CDs would be a good idea for puppies, though. I've never used one, but I know lots of people who have. Hard to say if they actually make a difference or not though. I really hope I never have another phobic dog again... it was no fun to deal with at all.

 

[JacksonsMom]

Interesting thread.

I don't really remember, to be honest, if Jackson has always been scared of loud noises or if it was learned. I don't remember it being an issue as a puppy, but then again, I got him in December so we probably weren't dealing with any storms, etc (except for snow which he's always loved).

It really just depends with him. I wouldn't label him as deathly afraid... he's not to the point where he's spinning circles, or running around pacing. He's quiet about it and he usually just walks himself under a bed if there's a loud boom. If it's an intense storm, he'll sometimes shake for a few minutes. However if there's a storm going on for a while, like all night, he ends up just hopping back on my bed with me and going to sleep, almost giving up.

Also, only certain loud noises bother him... really loud thunder, fireworks, gun shots. Loud vehicles driving by, ambulances, sirens, loud crowds of people, etc, etc... doesn't phase him.

I do think because I did not get him from a good breeder (just a classifieds ad, someone whose pet dog got pregnant) and he was never exposed to anything but her bedroom in a rowhouse in the city definitely impacted him. I don't think he would have the quirkiness per say, had his first 9 weeks been with a good breeder exposing him to other things. But who knows. Maybe it's just him.