I seem to have two very neurotic dogs. But it is going beyond a joke with one of them now.

My female Mini Schnauzer has always been afraid of fireworks, thunder that sort of stuff and the male used to look at her as if she was off her noddle when she got like that. After a few years he too started to get nervous of the thunder and fireworks to such an extent that he became the worst of the pair. I love thunder and fireworks so they are not picking this up from me. Now, the lad has added to his problems by becomming afraid of the noise my mobile phone makes and the tv surround sound when a bit of action is on. The worst of all has come in the last week.........our pc died and we had to get another one and this one gives ONE small bleep when initially turned on and now my lad wont come into the living room because of it. I didn't realise what was going on at first, I just thought he was enjoying the lovely sunshine we have had recently out in the garden and was reluctant to come in for this reason. He can't get to any of the rest of the house without using the patio doors to come from the garden to living room so getting him to come in is proving to be very difficult.

Has anyone else had problems with small high pitched noises? I know lots of dogs fear thunder etc and I could live with that but the little everyday noises are much more of a problem

Oh dear, unfortunately your dogs have begun to generalise their phobia problems which means that now they are starting to be affected by other noises than the original ones and this can spread and become even worse.
I'd suggest a reputable, good behaviourist as this won't get better - it will unfortunately, likely get worse...:(

I'd suggest someone from the APBC...

Best wishes
Lindsay
x

I'm sorry, but what is the Apbc?

Hi Mistyweather

You may find this LINK useful.  At the bottom of the article are several links which take you to examples of potentially worrying noises (to the dog), which may help you desensitise your dog(s) with careful introduction.  Don't try to rush a process such as this.  It takes time for the fear to become established and so will take time for you to help work through the natural response to fear which would normally be to hide, run away or fight off the source of fear.  Noises within the home mean none of these options are available and so it is even more confusing for a dog.

Sensitivity to certain sounds - often high velocity sounds - as you've already described, typically happen with something obviously traumatic such as fireworks or gunshot but then other noises which we wouldn't expect can start to gradually set off a fear response too.

Hopefully the link will help - although from a breed specific website, noise sensitivity and the fear responses exhibited affect many dogs, regardless of breed, multi cross etc.

best wishes, Teri

> I'm sorry, but what is the Apbc?

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

My neighbours dog is so terrified of fireworks that he has to be sedated on Bonfire Night and Hogmanay and my OH and I take it in turns to go round there for an hour or so to help our neighbours distract him. What makes it worse is the idiots who let off random fireworks in the days surrounding these dates.
My neighbour gave us a CD she had bought of 'noises' fireworks, cars, washing machines etc. and it really worked with our little one (sadly, not with theirs). We gave lots of positive reinforcement and treats while the CD was on and at Bonfire Night took him into the garden in short spells and if a firework went off gave him some chicken and distracted him. It really worked.
Now anything he is wary of, the computer fan, vaccuum cleaner etc. we encourage him with a treat and distraction until he gets bored with the 'noise' or associates it with good things. Maybe yours could come to associate that 'beep' with getting some goodies?

Failing that, I'm pretty sure that 'beep' on your computer can be turned off. My old computer was made up from parts I had put together nd the start-up beep on that one came from the same source that gave warning beeps when cards etc. were fitted wrongly. It wasn't connected to the general soundcard on the PC so disconnecting it wont affect your sound. (maybe someone with a bit more knowledge can advise?)