GREYHOUND CARE: Loud Noises and Greys
Your Greyhound and Loud Noises
By Bonnie Jeffers
There’s nothing more heart breaking than watching a Greyhound huddled in fear and shaking uncontrollably at loud noises such as fireworks and thunder. Even worse, the dog may try to jump through a window, bolt through a door, or escape from a leash--behaviors that often have fatal consequences. I’ve even known at least two Greys who have died of heart attacks due to their fear.
My dogs, however, love thunder and fireworks, here’s why. We’ve conditioned them that loud noises are a signal that fun, play time, and treats are coming. We started years ago. Every time it thundered, we would grab the treat jar, run circles around the house making happy noises and throwing treats around for them to chase. Needless to say, now they go running for the treat cupboard any time we have thunder, etc.
You, too, can help your Greyhound deal positively with loud noises. Before helping your dogs, however, you must confront your own emotions. Dogs can read us like a book; you cannot fool them. Think how often your dog has responded to your mood when you have been sad or anxious. If you are afraid of thunder or irritated by firecrackers, your dog will feed on your emotion. You must confront those emotions within you in order to be a calm, confident pack leader.
If you anticipate that your dogs will have problems, perhaps because of earlier circumstances, then your emotions will telegraph to them that they DO have problems. So you must be calm and not expect them to react negatively. Take a deep breath and try to relax yourself before you begin the activities suggested below.
Helping your Greyhound Avoid the Fear Response
When you first adopt a new dog, or if your dogs have not already developed a fear of loud noises, you can do the following to make sure they remain calm during loud noises. You want to make loud noises a signal of good things rather than a time of fear.
1) Bring out the treats - Bring out the best treats you have, maybe even indulge them with small (fingernail sized) pieces of hot dog or lunchmeat. Whenever the “boom” hits, they get a treat. BUT DON’T REWARD FEAR! If a dog is cowering or shaking, don’t give a treat; it only makes the matter worse. Instead, move to step #2.
2) Distract – Engage the dogs’ minds to distract them from their fear. Do this with a “fun, party-time” voice and manner. NO cooing, coddling, “Mama’s here, it’s ok” voice!
Every time there is a boom of thunder or fireworks, I jump up calling the dogs’ names in a fun, happy voice. We start a one-minute parade with the dogs chasing me around the house as I toss small bits of treats. They think it’s a great game. You can also play ball, tug, or any other game the dogs enjoy.
Repeat this every time there is a boom of noise. The key is to do something the dog enjoys so that he equates loud noises with fun times, not fear.
Helping your Greyhound Get Over the Fear Response
If your dog already has a fear of loud noises, you have a much harder task. Concentrate on step two above. Remember, don’t give treats (rewards) when the dog is shaking and cowering. Wait to give the reward until the dog begins to respond to play, etc.
Here are some other things you can do to help your dog learn a new reaction to loud noises.
1) Don’t reinforce fear – Trying to comfort a fearful dog with a cooing baby voice (poor baby, everything is ok, don’t worry, mama’s here) only rewards and reinforces that behavior. In dog language, this is read as weakness on your part. The dog hears you, as the pack leader, sounding intimidated by the situation and responds with fear. As far as he’s concerned, you’re saying, “Oh no, the world is ending, what will we do, what will become of us…” Always keep an upbeat, “we’re happy, and it’s party time” voice and manner.
2) Desensitize – If your dog already has developed a fear of loud noises, it is very difficult to break that while the dog is in an anxious state. In addition, it’s almost impossible to stop a negative behavior or response; rather, we must learn a new, positive behavior to replace the old, negative one.
Don’t wait until the week before New Year’s Eve or July 4th to begin training. Start months in advance desensitizing your dogs, so they’ll be ready when those loud noises come.
a) Buy a CD of a thunderstorm or fireworks.
b) Play it daily for 15-30 minutes while your dog is playing with you, eating a meal, or resting beside you (i.e. positive times). Begin playing the CD at low volumes.
c) Over a period of days and weeks, slowly work up to louder and louder volumes until it sounds like the real thing. Again, make sure something positive is happening during the noise--playing, eating, etc. You can even do the “parade” mentioned above.
d) Each day try to slowly push the boundaries of your dog’s comfort slightly, but stop before she begins to panic. Remember to do this exercise while something positive is happening, and to periodically reward the dog (treat, massage, praise, etc.) as long as she remains calm and focused on whatever you are doing.
3) Play the radio or TV to help muffle the loud noises.
A Final Word
Try to not leave your dog alone during fireworks or thunder until you are absolutely sure that he or she is not afraid of the noise. Suffering through even one terrifying experience alone can cause your dog to develop a fear that will take you weeks of work to change. Don’t make your Greyhound huddle in fear and shake uncontrollably at loud noises. You can prevent that suffering by starting today to teach your dog 1) that loud noises are not scary, and 2) that loud noises signal that positive things are going to happen.
By Bonnie Jeffers
There’s nothing more heart breaking than watching a Greyhound huddled in fear and shaking uncontrollably at loud noises such as fireworks and thunder. Even worse, the dog may try to jump through a window, bolt through a door, or escape from a leash--behaviors that often have fatal consequences. I’ve even known at least two Greys who have died of heart attacks due to their fear.
My dogs, however, love thunder and fireworks, here’s why. We’ve conditioned them that loud noises are a signal that fun, play time, and treats are coming. We started years ago. Every time it thundered, we would grab the treat jar, run circles around the house making happy noises and throwing treats around for them to chase. Needless to say, now they go running for the treat cupboard any time we have thunder, etc.
You, too, can help your Greyhound deal positively with loud noises. Before helping your dogs, however, you must confront your own emotions. Dogs can read us like a book; you cannot fool them. Think how often your dog has responded to your mood when you have been sad or anxious. If you are afraid of thunder or irritated by firecrackers, your dog will feed on your emotion. You must confront those emotions within you in order to be a calm, confident pack leader.
If you anticipate that your dogs will have problems, perhaps because of earlier circumstances, then your emotions will telegraph to them that they DO have problems. So you must be calm and not expect them to react negatively. Take a deep breath and try to relax yourself before you begin the activities suggested below.
Helping your Greyhound Avoid the Fear Response
When you first adopt a new dog, or if your dogs have not already developed a fear of loud noises, you can do the following to make sure they remain calm during loud noises. You want to make loud noises a signal of good things rather than a time of fear.
1) Bring out the treats - Bring out the best treats you have, maybe even indulge them with small (fingernail sized) pieces of hot dog or lunchmeat. Whenever the “boom” hits, they get a treat. BUT DON’T REWARD FEAR! If a dog is cowering or shaking, don’t give a treat; it only makes the matter worse. Instead, move to step #2.
2) Distract – Engage the dogs’ minds to distract them from their fear. Do this with a “fun, party-time” voice and manner. NO cooing, coddling, “Mama’s here, it’s ok” voice!
Every time there is a boom of thunder or fireworks, I jump up calling the dogs’ names in a fun, happy voice. We start a one-minute parade with the dogs chasing me around the house as I toss small bits of treats. They think it’s a great game. You can also play ball, tug, or any other game the dogs enjoy.
Repeat this every time there is a boom of noise. The key is to do something the dog enjoys so that he equates loud noises with fun times, not fear.
Helping your Greyhound Get Over the Fear Response
If your dog already has a fear of loud noises, you have a much harder task. Concentrate on step two above. Remember, don’t give treats (rewards) when the dog is shaking and cowering. Wait to give the reward until the dog begins to respond to play, etc.
Here are some other things you can do to help your dog learn a new reaction to loud noises.
1) Don’t reinforce fear – Trying to comfort a fearful dog with a cooing baby voice (poor baby, everything is ok, don’t worry, mama’s here) only rewards and reinforces that behavior. In dog language, this is read as weakness on your part. The dog hears you, as the pack leader, sounding intimidated by the situation and responds with fear. As far as he’s concerned, you’re saying, “Oh no, the world is ending, what will we do, what will become of us…” Always keep an upbeat, “we’re happy, and it’s party time” voice and manner.
2) Desensitize – If your dog already has developed a fear of loud noises, it is very difficult to break that while the dog is in an anxious state. In addition, it’s almost impossible to stop a negative behavior or response; rather, we must learn a new, positive behavior to replace the old, negative one.
Don’t wait until the week before New Year’s Eve or July 4th to begin training. Start months in advance desensitizing your dogs, so they’ll be ready when those loud noises come.
a) Buy a CD of a thunderstorm or fireworks.
b) Play it daily for 15-30 minutes while your dog is playing with you, eating a meal, or resting beside you (i.e. positive times). Begin playing the CD at low volumes.
c) Over a period of days and weeks, slowly work up to louder and louder volumes until it sounds like the real thing. Again, make sure something positive is happening during the noise--playing, eating, etc. You can even do the “parade” mentioned above.
d) Each day try to slowly push the boundaries of your dog’s comfort slightly, but stop before she begins to panic. Remember to do this exercise while something positive is happening, and to periodically reward the dog (treat, massage, praise, etc.) as long as she remains calm and focused on whatever you are doing.
3) Play the radio or TV to help muffle the loud noises.
A Final Word
Try to not leave your dog alone during fireworks or thunder until you are absolutely sure that he or she is not afraid of the noise. Suffering through even one terrifying experience alone can cause your dog to develop a fear that will take you weeks of work to change. Don’t make your Greyhound huddle in fear and shake uncontrollably at loud noises. You can prevent that suffering by starting today to teach your dog 1) that loud noises are not scary, and 2) that loud noises signal that positive things are going to happen.
Why You SHOULDN’T Use Acepromazine For Cats and Dogs With Fireworks or Thunderstorm Fears
A heartbreakingly large number of cats and dogs suffer terrible fear and anxiety from fireworks displays and thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, many of these pets are still given a medication called acepromazine (or as it’s more commonly called… “Ace”) in an effort to help them through these terrifying events. Truth is though, while acepromazine, a very powerful and effective tranquilizer, may make it look like your dog or cat is handling the fireworks or thunderstorm well, they are actually suffering just as much, if not more… they just can’t show you or do anything about it!
To read more about acepromazine and it's effects, click here
A heartbreakingly large number of cats and dogs suffer terrible fear and anxiety from fireworks displays and thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, many of these pets are still given a medication called acepromazine (or as it’s more commonly called… “Ace”) in an effort to help them through these terrifying events. Truth is though, while acepromazine, a very powerful and effective tranquilizer, may make it look like your dog or cat is handling the fireworks or thunderstorm well, they are actually suffering just as much, if not more… they just can’t show you or do anything about it!
To read more about acepromazine and it's effects, click here
Basic Care Tips
Dog Park Dangers
Disaster Preparedness
When to Say Goodbye
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Vaccinations
Nail Trimming
Traveling with Greys
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Hot Weather Danger
Fleas, Ticks & Worms
The Multi Dog Family
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First Aid Kit
Many uses of muzzles
Gardens & Greys
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