Dog Afraid of Noise

robsouth wrote:
We have a Wire haired Dachshund that, since birth, (he's almost 7 years old now) has been afraid of thunder. During a thunder storm he goes berserk and tries to hide under, behind, whatever and shakes and shivers like mad. We bought a Thundershirt and it helps tremendously during thunderstorms. Now, in the last 6 months, he seems to react to the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher (most anything that makes noise) the same way, but the thundershirt does not seem to help at all. Why would he be so afraid of these things that never bothered him at all for the first 6 1/2 years of life. I've about run out of things to try, but sure would like to dispel the "panic attacks" that he seems to exhibit now. Our other dog, a yorkie poo pays no attention at all to these noises. Any suggestions? Our vet recommeded a "calming drug" for these episodes, but I do not want to drug the dog, and she didn't really either.

As my dogs became seniors normal everyday sounds started startling them also. Dogs do start losing their eyesight and hearing as they get older as a natural way of aging and their behavior does change in compensation for it, kinda just like us old folk humans! My old little girl has now started barking when I close a cabinet door too hard. It's part of them getting old.

IMHO if it is not causing them bodily harm leave them alone.

Please don't just let your vet 'medicate' your dog with drugs when it most likely is not needed. IMHO these "quick to med vets" are just pacifying the owners problem with it and not the dogs need for it.