by Shane Fog

Created on: November 23, 2009   Last Updated: November 24, 2009

Dogs are highly capable learners and are generally able to rapidly associate effects with causes. The psychologist B. F. Skinner calls this operant conditioning and he spent the majority of his professional career studying the phenomenon. He discovered that organisms, including dogs, interact with their environment and keep performing those actions that result in favorable results. These favorable results are called reinforcements because they reinforce the behavior. Dogs are very susceptible to training based on this approach.

It is possible that a dog can come to associate a loud noise with something negative. In this case, a dog may have trouble any time it hears a loud noise of any kind. This can be quite difficult for a dog owner. Ironically, the solution is found using the same strategy that caused the problem. Specifically, a dog that is afraid of loud noises can be helped if the dog can be trained to associate loud noises with something positive. In severe cases, it will be necessary to start with low-level noises and work up to the level of noises that elicit the undesired reaction.

Start by making a louder than normal noise and then provide your dog with some reinforcement in the form of treats, petting and/or praise. The environment should be relaxed and low key. Depending on the severity of the reaction your dog has to loud noises this could be a long, slow process. Do not try to rush your dog or force them to react a certain way. The key is to help your dog associate loud noises with something positive rather than something negative. If you scold your dog during this process, you will only further reinforce the undesired behavior. This should be repeated 5-10 times, gradually increasing the loudness of the noise each time. Do this three times each day. Increase the loudness of the noise only as your dog can tolerate it. Keep performing this daily until you have rescued your dog from the fear of loud noises.

The key to this training is consistency and patience. This is difficult for your dog and you should not be discouraged if it takes longer than you would like. Remember, the goal is to help your dog, not necessarily to help them in 1 day. Keep the goal in sight and keep the reinforcements constant and highly affectionate. You run the risk of making the behavior worse if the dog experiences any negative reinforcements during this training. In fact, negative reinforcement can be much stronger than positive reinforcement. For example, if you accidentally punish your dog after a loud noise, you may undo months of work.

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