Dogs and training for loud noises
Discussion
Any tips on getting a dog more used to loud noises (bangs, fireworks etc)?
I have a two year old rescue husky mix. I was chatting with the owner of one of his friends the other day and she mentioned they had checked into a hotel last New Year to avoid the traditional fireworks (my area is pretty much a war zone for about 6 hours that evening). My dog has only been in the country since March so this will be the first time he will experience the festivities...
He's pretty chilled and inquisitive, has no issues with thunderstorms (even in a tent) and has happily walked past the local building site while they've been blasting rocks. But then again he was pretty scared by a bus letting off it's air brakes so it's hard to know how he would react when the rockets start flying.
Would like to gently introduce him over the next couple of months in a way that gives him a decent chance of not having a really s
tty night if that's possible...
I have a two year old rescue husky mix. I was chatting with the owner of one of his friends the other day and she mentioned they had checked into a hotel last New Year to avoid the traditional fireworks (my area is pretty much a war zone for about 6 hours that evening). My dog has only been in the country since March so this will be the first time he will experience the festivities...
He's pretty chilled and inquisitive, has no issues with thunderstorms (even in a tent) and has happily walked past the local building site while they've been blasting rocks. But then again he was pretty scared by a bus letting off it's air brakes so it's hard to know how he would react when the rockets start flying.
Would like to gently introduce him over the next couple of months in a way that gives him a decent chance of not having a really s
tty night if that's possible...moorx said:
You can buy CDs of firework sounds that can be used to desensitise dogs (start at low volume and gradually increase).
Before New Year, though, won't you have to deal with Bonfire Night?
Thankfully not, I'm in Finland. But I figured this would be a topical time to ask! Before New Year, though, won't you have to deal with Bonfire Night?
Good idea regarding the CDs, will head off and check Spotify too...
zax said:
moorx said:
You can buy CDs of firework sounds that can be used to desensitise dogs (start at low volume and gradually increase).
Before New Year, though, won't you have to deal with Bonfire Night?
Thankfully not, I'm in Finland. But I figured this would be a topical time to ask! Before New Year, though, won't you have to deal with Bonfire Night?
Good idea regarding the CDs, will head off and check Spotify too...
Bit late for this year but TBF if you want to proof your dog against bangs this is the time to start.
My dogs aren't bothered by the sound of fireworks because they are bred and trained to tolerate gun fire. Gun dog trainers take it really seriously as a gun shy dog is no use and all the other training is wasted. It has to be done really carefully with reassurance, praise and rewards for desired response to reduce fear and create a psoitive association. Same principles apply to other dogs. Some breeds eg. collies seem particularly sensitive to noise.
As suggested this begins with banging pots and pans before their dinner
Some folk put on CDs or MP3s of gun fire/ fireworks.
Then party poppers or toy cap guns. Taking to clay ground in the car but not getting out
Finally if you can sit your dog at distance, firing a starting pistol (0.22 blanks) at 50 yards an gradually reducing the distance until they are happy with you standing by them when you fire the pistol. These are quieter than a shotgun.
Take to the clay ground and stand at some distance from shooting. Then reduce distance to people clay shooting.
Then take them shooting.
My dogs aren't bothered by the sound of fireworks because they are bred and trained to tolerate gun fire. Gun dog trainers take it really seriously as a gun shy dog is no use and all the other training is wasted. It has to be done really carefully with reassurance, praise and rewards for desired response to reduce fear and create a psoitive association. Same principles apply to other dogs. Some breeds eg. collies seem particularly sensitive to noise.
As suggested this begins with banging pots and pans before their dinner
Some folk put on CDs or MP3s of gun fire/ fireworks.
Then party poppers or toy cap guns. Taking to clay ground in the car but not getting out
Finally if you can sit your dog at distance, firing a starting pistol (0.22 blanks) at 50 yards an gradually reducing the distance until they are happy with you standing by them when you fire the pistol. These are quieter than a shotgun.
Take to the clay ground and stand at some distance from shooting. Then reduce distance to people clay shooting.
Then take them shooting.
oddman said:
Bit late for this year but TBF if you want to proof your dog against bangs this is the time to start.
My dogs aren't bothered by the sound of fireworks because they are bred and trained to tolerate gun fire. Gun dog trainers take it really seriously as a gun shy dog is no use and all the other training is wasted. It has to be done really carefully with reassurance, praise and rewards for desired response to reduce fear and create a psoitive association. Same principles apply to other dogs. Some breeds eg. collies seem particularly sensitive to noise.
As suggested this begins with banging pots and pans before their dinner
Some folk put on CDs or MP3s of gun fire/ fireworks.
Then party poppers or toy cap guns. Taking to clay ground in the car but not getting out
Finally if you can sit your dog at distance, firing a starting pistol (0.22 blanks) at 50 yards an gradually reducing the distance until they are happy with you standing by them when you fire the pistol. These are quieter than a shotgun.
Take to the clay ground and stand at some distance from shooting. Then reduce distance to people clay shooting.
Then take them shooting.
This is pretty much exactly what I did with my last spaniel. My dogs aren't bothered by the sound of fireworks because they are bred and trained to tolerate gun fire. Gun dog trainers take it really seriously as a gun shy dog is no use and all the other training is wasted. It has to be done really carefully with reassurance, praise and rewards for desired response to reduce fear and create a psoitive association. Same principles apply to other dogs. Some breeds eg. collies seem particularly sensitive to noise.
As suggested this begins with banging pots and pans before their dinner
Some folk put on CDs or MP3s of gun fire/ fireworks.
Then party poppers or toy cap guns. Taking to clay ground in the car but not getting out
Finally if you can sit your dog at distance, firing a starting pistol (0.22 blanks) at 50 yards an gradually reducing the distance until they are happy with you standing by them when you fire the pistol. These are quieter than a shotgun.
Take to the clay ground and stand at some distance from shooting. Then reduce distance to people clay shooting.
Then take them shooting.
Except the CD’s!
You need to train for the circumstances - so loud, random bangs, from outside your house (which might not be practical).
We have two working labradors and neither are gun shy, but they hate fireworks.
Our approach:
Make sure they have a busy day (long walk and lots of training);
Take them out for a wee before it gets really dark and people start letting them off;
Give them a bigger than usual dinner;
Close all the windows;
Then sit and watch tv with the volume up; and
Probably most important, don’t show any concern / don’t react / don’t panda to them.
We have two working labradors and neither are gun shy, but they hate fireworks.
Our approach:
Make sure they have a busy day (long walk and lots of training);
Take them out for a wee before it gets really dark and people start letting them off;
Give them a bigger than usual dinner;
Close all the windows;
Then sit and watch tv with the volume up; and
Probably most important, don’t show any concern / don’t react / don’t panda to them.
Not reacting or reassuring them whrn they're showing fear is the main thing - if you can carry on as normal or even work them through it with training it really helps.
We have a nervous rescue who was initially terrified of everything but by just exposing him to as much as possible he's much much better.
People must think i'm a nutcase but i deliberately go near "scary" or noisy things on walks and carry on his usual training as normal.
We have a nervous rescue who was initially terrified of everything but by just exposing him to as much as possible he's much much better.
People must think i'm a nutcase but i deliberately go near "scary" or noisy things on walks and carry on his usual training as normal.
Snow and Rocks said:
Not reacting or reassuring them whrn they're showing fear is the main thing - if you can carry on as normal or even work them through it with training it really helps.
We have a nervous rescue who was initially terrified of everything but by just exposing him to as much as possible he's much much better.
People must think i'm a nutcase but i deliberately go near "scary" or noisy things on walks and carry on his usual training as normal.
Good point, and something I do try to focus on. Rescues are always surprising! Now it's the dark time of year it's been fascinating to see the things that disturb him. There aren't many but they seem pretty random and rarely noisy. Something out of place on the usual walking route can be a trigger for some growling and a pause. Last night it was a Vespa somebody had parked in our street. The other day a pile of planks and junk from somebody's house renovation. I usually wander up to whatever it is, touch it and encourage him to have a sniff and perhaps a piss on the offending item. Not the Vespa obviously!We have a nervous rescue who was initially terrified of everything but by just exposing him to as much as possible he's much much better.
People must think i'm a nutcase but i deliberately go near "scary" or noisy things on walks and carry on his usual training as normal.
Have been experimenting with firework soundtracks at home but as suggested I think context is also key. House is safe so he's not bothered. Will take a small bluetooth speaker out on walks perhaps and try the same thing in the forest
Have you tried walking along a busy road ? A neighbour has a dog that is very sensitive to loud noises and part of the therapy was to walk along roads at different times of day to get used to the different noises.
Our Westie used to hate cyclists in helmets. No helmet, no problem. But with a helmet on he would start growling at them. Luckily a lot of our neighbours cycle, so by introducing him to them I was able to get him out of the habit.
Our Westie used to hate cyclists in helmets. No helmet, no problem. But with a helmet on he would start growling at them. Luckily a lot of our neighbours cycle, so by introducing him to them I was able to get him out of the habit.
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