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.

We feel your pain. We have two miniature dachshunds. The oldest is 8 and she's absolutely deathly afraid of thunder and gun fire or fireworks. While that one is running for any cover she can find when she hears thunder or gunfire, the other younger 7 year old dachshund is oblivious to all the fuss and has absolutely no concern about loud noises what so ever. We've tried everything to no avail. So when we know it's going to storm or when the 4th of July rolls around, we give her a mild sedative and we hold her until the storm...or the holiday passes.Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

Get a "thunder shirt". We have a Min Pin that is scared to death of thunder. It works.I apparently didn't read your entire post!! We let Baby wear hers most of the time. She freezes if it's under 85 degrees, so unless it's in the heat of the summer, she wears it all the time and loves it.

With our two dogs, Charlie hears a noise and he tries to figure out where it's coming from. He loves 4th of July because he can watch and bark at all the people that go by our house. Actually he's in second heaven with all the noise and action. Katy is a nervous wreck the whole week of the 4th of July. When the action really starts she's in the laundry room with Sierra, my son's dog. Both of them are basket cases, LOL.

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.

He could be losing his vision. Did your vet check? As our lab mix got older, same thing happened. Doc says she sees shadows and hears noises and cannot figure out where they are coming from. Peripheral vision goes first. She has lost most of her vision now, and her hearing is going too. According to our vet, we should keep her in her element and make things as stressless as possible. Her mind starting going two years ago in November, and she goes through her dementia loops. We just try and keep her comfortable and safe. Good luck. We certainly feel for you.

Dog Afraid of Noise | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

afraid_of_bears
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
Talk to your vet about melatonin.

There are many articles on the internet as well.

Our dog was fine for the first 7 years and now she is afraid of any type of noise. Fireworks, bangs, loud trucks etc.

Good luck,
Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
He could be losing his vision. Did your vet check? As our lab mix got older, same thing happened. Doc says she sees shadows and hears noises and cannot figure out where they are coming from. Peripheral vision goes first. She has lost most of her vision now, and her hearing is going too. According to our vet, we should keep her in her element and make things as stressless as possible. Her mind starting going two years ago in November, and she goes through her dementia loops. We just try and keep her comfortable and safe. Good luck. We certainly feel for you.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2014
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.
Happytraveler
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
With our two dogs, Charlie hears a noise and he tries to figure out where it's coming from. He loves 4th of July because he can watch and bark at all the people that go by our house. Actually he's in second heaven with all the noise and action. Katy is a nervous wreck the whole week of the 4th of July. When the action really starts she's in the laundry room with Sierra, my son's dog. Both of them are basket cases, LOL.
Merrykalia
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2014
Get a "thunder shirt". We have a Min Pin that is scared to death of thunder. It works.

I apparently didn't read your entire post!!

We let Baby wear hers most of the time. She freezes if it's under 85 degrees, so unless it's in the heat of the summer, she wears it all the time and loves it.
crickeydog
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
We feel your pain. We have two miniature dachshunds. The oldest is 8 and she's absolutely deathly afraid of thunder and gun fire or fireworks. While that one is running for any cover she can find when she hears thunder or gunfire, the other younger 7 year old dachshund is oblivious to all the fuss and has absolutely no concern about loud noises what so ever. We've tried everything to no avail. So when we know it's going to storm or when the 4th of July rolls around, we give her a mild sedative and we hold her until the storm...or the holiday passes.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

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Dog Afraid of Noise

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