Anxious behaviours seen in dogs during thunderstorms and fireworks displays are often mislabelled as noise phobia. But if Fido starts acting out of sorts long before the storm hits, it is clear that he is not scared of the noise. Events that we, as humans, perceive as ‘noisy’, are often complex, multisensory phenomena that affect more than just the sense of hearing. There are lightning flashes, wind, unusual odours, changes in barometric pressure and rapidly changing electrical charges in the air.
Impact on senses
When we analyse a thunderstorm according to sensory impacts, we can see that all seven senses are likely to be affected. In fact, most events that we simplistically label as ‘noisy’ are bound to affect multiple senses. Fireworks, in addition to the sudden onset of noise, are also accompanied by other sounds such as whistling and popping, odours of saltpetre and sulphur, strange tastes in the air, lightning flashes, significant ground-borne vibrations and shock waves in the air.
Traditional wisdom advocates desensitising dogs with recorded thunder or explosive sounds, turning up the TV to drown out the noise, or slapping a ThunderShirt or wrap on the dog, but as we can see from the above analysis, fearful behaviour during storms or fireworks is infinitely more complex than just noise phobia.
Frequently asked questions
Below are a few frequently asked questions about storm phobia, and the answers might surprise you.
Q: Why does my dog hide out in the bathroom during a storm?
A: Technically, the sound is much louder in a hard room such as a bathroom than it is in a soft room, such as a carpeted bedroom with curtains. If your dog chooses the bathroom, she is scared of the electrical charge in the air, and the bathroom feels safer because it is earthed through the pipes going into the ground.
Q: My dog has never been scared of storms and fireworks, but now she is. What’s up with that?
A: Studies show that noise sensitivity likely increases with age.
Q: Will it help if I play really loud rock music or turn up the TV during a fireworks display to drown out the noise?
A: No, if your dog is already noise sensitive, it will only make things worse. Soft, slow, simple, single-instrument music is much better for calming.
Q: What about wrapping a scarf around my dog in a criss-cross manner like I’ve seen on Facebook?
A: This is called a Tellington TTouch wrap (see the drawing by Lili Chin) and is a stretchy bandage tied lightly around the dog’s body to bring awareness addressing the sense of proprioception. It is more like a gentle hug than a bear hug. Note that it should only be used under supervision, because it may get caught on something and hurt your dog. If you are going to use a wrap or a ThunderShirt, it is important that you gradually get the dog used to it before the storm, otherwise, it is just another thing that adds to the dog’s anxiety levels.
Q: What can I do to prepare my dog for the coming storm and fireworks seasons?
A: This answer is a bit more complex.
- Make sure that your pet is microchipped and is wearing a collar and tag with your contact details, just in case he runs away. Also, ensure that you have current, clear photos of your pets so that you can share them in case he goes missing.
- Generally, anxious dogs are more prone to suffer from storm and noise phobia. The calmer the dog is generally, the better she can cope with scary events. Create a calm space for your dog by allowing them sufficient rest and sleep during the day and by supplying a soft, comfortable bed.
- Play brain games with your dog and take them for sniffy walks instead of playing rousing fetch games. This allows the release of endorphins and an increase of serotonin levels in the brain.
- If you are going to use prescription medication or natural alternatives during the storm, try it out at least once before the time to check how your dog reacts to it.
Q: What do I do when the storm hits and my dog is scared?
A: Close windows and curtains to shut out the noise and minimise reverberation. Switch the lights on. Don’t fuss or feel sorry for the dog. Stay neutral, let the dog decide if he wants to sit with you. Play soft, soothing music at low volume. Mind your own breathing: when people or animals are anxious, they tend to hold their breath. An audible exhale helps you and the dog to start breathing again. Tellington TTouch Ear Work is also very useful and is illustrated in the figure by Lili Chin.
Nasty Noises: From Cowering to Calm by Erica Cosijn guides pet parents through the differences between sound and noise, the differences between fear, phobia and anxiety, and an understanding of how animal senses differ from human senses.
Plenty of solutions are offered in terms of managing the dog’s environment and supporting their emotions through a variety of modalities, such as supplements, prescription medication, herbal remedies, music therapy, aromatherapy and Tellington TTouch.
