Treating Noise Phobia that sometimes occurs in Dogs
By: Tippy
There isn't a cure for Noise Phobia. There are a number of
methods used to help your dog have more control over their
fear. There are also some things that you can do to not
reinforce the behavior.
First, do not reward or treat your dog while it is going
through a fear episode. This is hard to do for the owner of
the dog especially if your dog comes to you asking for
reassurance. Petting, comforting or reassuring your dog in
anyway can be interpreted to the dog that this behavior is
good and gets rewarded. It may also signal to the dog that a
storm is really something to be afraid of. You aren't doing
your dog any favors by comforting it while going through the
fear.
You also shouldn't punish your dog while it is going through
a fear episode. This will only make the fear worse for your
dog and compound the issue.
There are usually three methods when dealing with a Noise
Phobia: medicines, change of environment and modification of
behavior.
With the advice and prescription from your veterinarian you
can start giving your dog medicines individually or in
combination. Some medicines need to be taken while the storm
season is going on other only need to be taken on the day
when a storm or noisy event is expected.
A common series of medicines that may be prescribed to your
dog is amitriptyline during the stormy season and valium to
be given to your dog when a storm is in the offing. The
valium or other medicine that is quick acting needs to be
taken before the storm or noisy even occurs before any
symptoms of noise phobia develop.
If a storm is predicted some time during the day then the
dog should start receiving the quick acting medicine hours
before the predicted storm. This way the drug is in the dogs
system and any kind of fear behavior can be averted. Dogs
that also have separation anxiety may have a different set
of medicines that need to be taken. Also, medications and
combinations of medicines may need to be changed until your
dog finds a regimen that it will tolerate.
Medications that would have to be taken daily will be
prescribed for three to four weeks to see how well your dog
tolerates the drug. If there are bad side effects or the
medication doesn't have the desired effect the drug will be
changed until a medication can be found that will have the
desired effect.
Here is a list of medications that may be prescribed:
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Buspirone (Buspar)
Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
Clorazepate (Tranxene)
Diazepam (Valium)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Inderal
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Tranxene-SD
See also:
Natural Dog
Relaxant
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