Noise Phobias in Dogs: Supporting Pets and their Owners

Did you know that up to 49% of owners report their dogs showing fear responses to noise? (Korpivaara et al, 2017). Noise phobia, especially around bonfire night and New Year fireworks, represents one of the largest welfare problems facing our pets today. This course will provide the knowledge, skills, and practical ideas for implementation to help these pets and their owners.

The course will also include an interactive practical element in which delegates will be supported to design tailored sound desensitisation, management, and treatment strategies.

Finally, all delegates attending on the day will be provided with access to a PowerPoint template and script, so that they can personally bring a “client information evening” to their own practice to get clients invested in their pet’s welfare and ensure the correct support is reaching dogs who need it.

Topics to be covered include: 

• Causes and contributing factors in canine noise phobia
• How to assess noise phobia cases to provide tailored support
• Nutraceutical support options- and when to use them
• Pharmaceutical support options- and when to use them
• Principles of desensitisation and counter-conditioning
• When to administer first aid vs start training
• What clients should do on the night
• How we can teach clients to best support their pets, and ideas for implementing this through the veterinary practice