The way dogs perceive the world is quite different from how we do. While our predominant sense is sight, a dog's primary sense is smell. Despite these differences, all animals, including humans and dogs, use all available senses to perceive and assess their surroundings. The more sensory information we have, the better our assessments and the more comfortable we feel. For instance, hearing a sound in the dark without seeing its source can be much scarier than hearing the same sound in daylight when we can see where it is coming from. Dogs are no different in this regard. They feel more at ease when they can see, smell, hear, and touch new things, as this allows them to gather more information for a detailed risk assessment.
Dogs face challenges in environments filled with various sights, sounds, and smells. They hear in a broader frequency range, can detect sounds from four times farther away, and possess a sense of smell at least 1,000 times stronger than humans. The sheer amount of sensory input they receive is overwhelming. Like us, dogs can struggle to differentiate between stimuli. For example, in a room full of people talking over each other, it is difficult to hear a conversation happening on the opposite side. Similarly, walking through the suburbs can make it hard for dogs to accurately assess their surroundings and the stimuli around them which can make walks scary for some dogs and they might need help to cope. Allowing dogs to access their surroundings is vital.
Research shows that multi-sensory experiences enhance animals' ability to learn and improve learning outcomes. This is crucial when addressing fear-related behaviors in dogs. For example, we can help dogs that are afraid of other dogs by allowing them to observe from a safe distance. Observing the other dog's body language, listening for vocalizations, and smelling provides them with the necessary information to make an assessment before reacting. Using positive reinforcement helps counter-condition them to the presence of other dogs and creates a positive association with being near them.
Given this context, it is understandable why noise phobias are so challenging to address. When animals and humans experience an auditory threat without any other sensory input or clues, the amygdala in the brain receives the auditory input directly from the auditory thalamus, triggering the acoustic startle reflex (fight, flee, freeze, appease). Simultaneously, the auditory cortex processes the sound while other parts of the brain process additional stimuli. If other sensory clues are present, context is created, allowing for a risk assessment. Without contextual clues, the sound continues to be perceived as a threat. Repeated exposure to the sound is likely to condition the fear. If exposure is consistent with a specific situation or environment, the hypothalamus creates associated fears. This makes counter-conditioning a risky strategy with low success rates.
So, how do we address noise phobias? Implementing strategies to help dogs recover from exposure to auditory threats or using highly reinforced, predictable strategies to guide them through fear events can be effective. Social support and management strategies are the most effective ways to address noise phobias. It is important to remember that, contrary to common belief, providing social and emotional support does not reinforce fear. Remaining calm, creating a calm environment, and giving your dog physical and verbal reassurance is essential for helping your fearful dog cope with scary sounds.
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