“SNAP-CRACKLE-POP” PROOF Dogs
At Kennel Club USA we are pleased to see an increase in young dogs and puppies attending daycamp, puppy kindergartens, and training. As you sit at home with your puppies, you might notice that when a book gets knocked off the shelf, or a broom falls your dog goes running for the hills. Maybe instead of crashing items, its thunderstorms, or neighbors setting off firecrackers that frighten your dog. IT is important that we consider two things when we see this behavior beginning: DESENSITIZING AND NOT COMFORTING.
The best thing we can do for our dog in regards to its reactions to sounds is to introduce them early on in a positive manner. We may get CD’s of thunderstorms and play them at a barely audible level while feeding our dogs or playing with them. When the dog seems to no longer notice the sounds, it is time to turn the volume up. The smaller the increments the better, and the less chance we take of scaring our puppy. We may also choose to go to a large field or park. Play with or feed your puppy (on-leash, or within a fence suggested) while a friend begins using pots and pans or other noise makers at the other end of the park. Only have your friend get as close as the dog can handle without showing signs of stress and fear. If your dog reacts with fear, pay it no mind, and continue the positive and fun activity (with the friend beginning at the other end of the field again.) By showing concern over fear, or by comforting, we really are telling the dog, “Yes, it is good to be afraid of such things.” By acting confidently and moving on, we show them that as a pack leader, such sounds don’t worry us. This is true with any fearful reaction whether it be sounds or not.
The sounds you may want to consider desensitizing your dogs may include stomping, clapping, popping noises (like those that children throw during July 4th), doorbells, knocks at the door or on the window, construction equipment noises, dog’s barking, motorcycles, vacuums, lawn equipment, hunting equipment (like starter pistols and increasing to actual guns) etc. We can save ourselves a lot of problems by introducing our dogs to things in this fun manner. While most dogs aren’t frightened by the doorbell, they often do become very nervous, anxious, or excited. By desensitizing to such noises we may reduce unwanted excited greetings at the door, territorial barking, or guarding. We wish you the best of luck in your puppy ownership and hope to help in providing helpful information to promote happy, healthy dogs.And remember, if you have any questions, please pull us aside and ask away…
Jonathan Brinkley
June 10th, 2010 at 12:27 am
dog barking noises…
On Wednesday I met up with some friends who knew very little about dog barking noises, I was quite surprised by this as its a widely discussed topic on the net. I challenged them to go home, do a search and then tell me they don’t know anything!…