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Loud noises

3K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Herzo 
#1 ·
I am the blessed owner of two beautiful distinquished bassets. Both are females, the pup is tricolored, predominate black, 7 months and full of more pep and enthusiasm than anyone I have ever known. She was purchased off a breeder who (as it should be) not only wanted to see my home and meet my family but wanted to meet my older basset as well. We got Daffy, the pup, to be a companion for Daisy, the older basset.

Daisy is three years old. We got her as a rescued dog at 8 months. Not through a shelter which would have been less heart wrenching. Daisy and a male basset of different litters were purchased by a poor couple with get rich schemes off the litters. Fortunately for my dog, the couple split and put the dogs up for adoption. When I picked up Daisy she literally jumped into the front seat of my car and slept all the way home. Unfortunately she had been so neglected and traumatized that she was at the vet three times in first two weeks due to malnutrition ( she weighed 26 lbs, could see every bone) and intestinal parasites, and the trauma was any loud noise would spook her. She is also a tricolor, predominately white. I did not know this til after her first bath. I thought she was brown and black, she was that filthy, with external parasites as well.

The first July 4th was when we knew the full extent of her noise aversions. She hid in the bathroom and shook and shivered. Now we know to try to shelter her inside from the noise but it seems to be to no avail. We have a dog door, a 120'x120' fenced in back yard and the pup seems to have no issues. When a loud noise frightens Daisy she runs inside and shakes in her cage.

The reason for this long winded background is that our neighbors across the street are not very intelligent people. They recently purchased a junk Jeep. This is a long line of loud vehicles, jet skiis, etc, that when the vehicle doesn't work on the road (or water), the neighbor revs the engine, making a very loud raucus and more often than not, the vehicle to backfire. The backfire triggers something in Daisy that causes her to run, shake, hide, etc. Daisy is the sweetest girl ever. I do not know what to do to help her. This has been going on for six consecutive days now. My poor baby is all over herself. The pup even cried last Saturday.

How can I help my dogs???
 
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#2 ·
Is the neighbor breaking any laws, such as noise or having broken down vehicles in their yard. Then you could turn them in. Maybe try a thundershirt, it works for some. Wish I could be more help but they don't sound like the kind of neighbors you can reason with.
 
#3 ·
in addition to thundershirt meletonin helps in most noise phobia cases Melatonin
Another article with references to the use of melatonin in dogs can be found in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 215, No. 1, July 1999. "Vet Med Today: Animal Behavior Case of the Month" was written by Linda Aronson, DVM, MA; from the Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.

The following is an excerpt from an email sent by Dr. Aronson to one of our Guardian Angels, Rich Brady: "To treat thunderstorm phobia, I use a dose of 3mg for a 35-100 lb dog. Smaller dogs get 1.5 mg, and larger dogs may get 6mg. The dose is given either at first evidence of thunderstorm - dog becomes agitated, distant rumbling of thunder, etc. or prophylactically before the owner leaves the house when thunderstorms are predicted. Dose may be repeated up to 3 times daily. The latter may be used as a dose for animals with more generalized stress related disorders."


you can also start to desensitize the dog to load noises using a c d for this purpose played softly at first below reaction level slowly over time raising the volume.

Thunder Storm CS

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=1927Clix Noises & Sounds CD
The Clix Noises & Sounds CD contains 30 tracks, each approximately 3 minutes in length. There are a wide variety of sounds. It also includes a comprehensive training manual that explains how to use the CLIX Noises & Sounds CD effectively.
 
#4 ·
Oh poor you, and even more your poor girl :( How people can be so uncaring I just don't understand. For starters, I agree that they may well be contravening some local Bylaws and for this, I'd have a quiet word with the police. These idiots may well be known to them.:huh:

Secondly, there are some very useful calming aids on the market these days, not the least being Rescue Remedy which you add to the water bowls although with two that may be difficult. I had trouble with my baby of a big Basset male recently over some surgery he had to have. Nightmare. Until it was suggested I give him KalmAid which is a natural product which is said to help certain conditions, like reaction to fireworks, thunder etc. - the problem with that being you have to know when something like this is going to happen!! But it worked :D

I think these people have brought matters to a head with your poor girl, and perhaps a sit down chat with your vet might be the way forward to get her sorted out once and for all. Being around another bomb-proof hound might help her confidence, although my experience with hounds tends to suggest that, like with elephants, they never forget :(
 
#5 ·
not the least being Rescue Remedy
know many that have tried it none that it actual worked for IMHO you would be better of using what appears to be the most effect ingredient "brandy"

Review: Don't Buy Bach Rescue Remedy!
The Flower Essence Hoax

"The hypothesis that flower remedies are associated with effects beyond a placebo response is not supported by data from rigorous clinical trials."
While most of the studies constructed to confirm the effectiveness of Bach's flower remedies suffered from low control group sizes and underfunding, their findings were still disappointingly consistent: Bach remedies, including Rescue Remedy, are only as effective as a placebo in reducing stress, anxiety, physical illness, and psychological problems.
While placebo effect can be massive Reading the NIH study of gloucosemine 60% of user found relief from knee pain. Sound good. Well 60% on a placebo found relief as well. 70% using an nsaid like asprin had relief. What is seen for suport for these and other patent/snake oil remedies is placebo effect
 
#6 · (Edited)
kalm aid contains L- Tryptophan which in a very limited study on agression whas shown to reduce teritorial aggression in dogs, the result are still controversial.

the maker have done their own study of a very limited nature and the result while postive are not in the normal range to be called scientifical valid for all sterotypical behaviors but it certainly has more evidence of effectiveness than flower essences.
Effect of dietary intake of L-Tryptophan
supplementation on working dogs demonstrating stress related behaviours


[URL="http://www.cyberagility.com/mel.doc]IF MAGGIE CAN, ANY DOG CAN: Fireworks, Melatonin, Surprise![/URL]
Malatonin: while not published in peer review journals has been studied independant of corporate interest a know factor in influencing results. by a leading Veterinary Behaviorist It would be my choice but each should make their own decisions when it comes to use of such supplements.
 
#7 ·
I am very grateful to those who took the time to respond to my plight. I appreciate all the useful insite and will do everything I can to help the poor girl. As most know, we basset owners are are own unique breed, and it is killing me to see such a sweet dog be so disturbed. Thank you all and do love your doggies as much as we love ours. Never a dull moment!
 
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