Shiba Inus and Fireworks – 7 Ways To Reduce Fear / Anxiety

Your veterinarian can determine if your Shiba is suffering from underlying pain that is exacerbated during noise events. Your veterinarian can also prescribe medication to ease anxiety and fear.

Noise anxiety is a serious disorder that nearly 50% of the dog population suffers from.

Many dog owners fail to bring this up to their veterinarians for various reasons - they don’t think it’s treatable, or they forgot about it as it only happens at certain times. Likewise, most veterinarians do not routinely ask clients about this common disorder.

With this obvious disconnect between dog owner and veterinarian, it’s understandable why so many dogs continue to go undiagnosed and suffer in silence with no one to turn to.

Noise aversion is similar to panic attacks in humans and repeated exposure to these attacks can be detrimental for both the dogs and humans health.

There have been studies that show a link between noise anxiety and pain in older canines.
For example, if a dog suddenly stiffens and or engages in fast movements, these actions could cause underlying pain to flare up. Thus, the dog will then associate noise events to pain further worsening the anxiety.

Your veterinarian can help you determine if pharmaceutical intervention could benefit your Shiba. 

Behavior modification is one of the most effective ways of helping your Shiba overcome noise anxiety.

In fact, many studies have proven this point.

But The Problem Is…

Many dog owners don’t know how to implement behavior modification techniques (B.M.T.) correctly. B.M.T. must be done correctly to prevent the dog’s fears from getting worse.

B.M.T. also takes a hefty time commitment - both to learn and to execute. However, if you’re committed to learning this technique, there’s a multitude of resources to help you along the way, including our own guide.

An alternative is to hire a CAAB, Certified Applied Animal Behavioral Therapist or an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) - but this would leave out a lot of dog owners who can’t afford the cost.

Our Recommendation…

We definitely recommend using B.M.T. counterconditioning to help your Shiba get over their noise-aversion phobias - especially if it’s severe.

Start with implementing “ad-hoc” B.M.T. of counter conditioning. Basically, you’d be using counter conditioning techniques during the noise event.

So, when the fireworks are going off, you’d be rewarding your Shiba with his or her favorite treat. Of course, make sure you’ve also provided a safe place first, and attempted to drown out the sound with music or white noise.

 Also to remember to have the right attitude and make the noise event fun and positive.

For moderate, to severe cases, veterinarian prescribed medication should also be used adjunctly with this therapy. Hopefully, your Shiba will improve at some point where less medication would be needed.

Just being there for your Shiba will help with anxiety.

However, it’s important to remember never to praise or scold your Shiba for being scared. Petting or saying “it’s okay” will confuse your Shiba because those words / actions are associated with positive things.

Basically, it’s not a good idea to say “it’s okay” when obviously your Shiba knows it isn’t. Instead just offer your Shiba your calm presence. Your Shiba will feel safer and reassured when you remain calm, confident and unperturbed by the loud sounds.

Veterinarians and animal behaviorists are still debating about whether comforting a dog during a noise event is recommended or not.

But from pouring over tons of studies and recommendations, the consensus seems to be having a neutral presence near the dog during a noise event is the most recommended.

Dogs, being social animals - learn from each other.

If you have multiple dogs in your family, it’s best to keep the ones that have noise-anxiety away from your other dogs who don’t suffer from noise-anxiety during noise events.

Failing to do so could eventually lead you to having all of your dogs suffering from noise anxiety.

For example, if you know there’s going to be a noise event and you’re preparing to counter condition your dog with noise anxiety - make sure your other dogs are in another safe place away from your scared dog.

It’d be a good idea to also practice classical conditioning with the other non scared dogs by rewarding them with treats during the noise event.

Just be sure not leave your other “scared” dog alone for too long - or better yet have someone else help you with both the counter conditioning and classical conditioning therapies for all of the dogs in your clan.

Dog appeasing pheromone' are made synthetically to mimic the hormones of a lactating mother dog. The pheromones are what help puppies bond with mothers and is said to have an appeasing effect on both puppies and adult dogs.

The effectiveness of these synthetic pheromones shows improvement in certain situations but not others.

A critical 2014 study found that the use of D.A.P. in clinical veterinary wards did not produce scientifically significant improvement in the subjects exposed to D.A.P.

However, other studies do show some clinically significant improvements with the use of D.A.P. One of the studies shows that D.A.P. is very effective in treating dogs with fear related issues such as noise anxiety. However, in this study it provided the same recommendation of using D.A.P. adjunctly with B.M.T.’s such as counterconditioning and desensitization.

Another study involving noise-fearful Beagles showed that D.A.P. collars significantly improved fear and anxiety levels compared to placebo.

So What’s Our Take?

Given the numerous studies have shown some effectiveness, especially regarding D.A.P. collars, we believe it’s something worth trying - especially in conjunction with behavior modification therapy. 

"Pressure vests" work by providing constant pressure that simulates the swaddling of an infant. This simulation can cause the dog’s body to release calming hormones like oxytocin or endorphins - which supposedly helps to calm the dog.

A owner reported study found 80% of dog owners who used an anxiety wrap for thunderstorm phobia in their dogs would use the anxiety wrap again.

Whereas another owner provided survey / questionnaire found that dog pressure vests fared only a little bit better than the placebo (44>27-35)

So What’s Our Take?

These pressure vests may help some Shibas but we’re not the biggest fans. Firstly, most of our Shibas despise wearing anything other than au naturel. Plus, it’s a hassle to take on and off.

Finally, one must consider if it’s possible that the Shiba may associate noise events with a pressure vest, especially if we seem to always know when noise events are going to happen and put the vests on right before or during.

Ideally, we’d like our Shibas to learn to overcome their fears and phobias with as little use of crutches as possible. That way, it’d be easier to wean back to being in a natural state once the phobias begin to fade.

Natural supplements and chews are available that may or may not help alleviate anxiety in noise-fearful dogs.

However, just as with human supplements, the efficacy of these products as a whole is spotty at best.

Many dog owners may at first prefer to try natural supplements before using prescribed medication however there is a lack of quality peer-reviewed research on these supplements. And the ones that are available are either negative or inconclusive.

Some natural supplements available include:

Harmonease - Harmonease is an oral botanical product containing a blend of extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense. This study, shows that the product seems mildly helpful in reducing anxiety in thunderstorm-fearful Beagles.

Zylkene (Vetoquinol)- Zylkene contains a milk protein, alpha-casozepine, that binds to the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Which, if effective, should cause calm and relaxation with minimal sedation. A published study confirmed that Zylkene decreased stress in horses acclimating to new homes - though not much conclusive evidence found in studies involving canines.

Relaxation training is not commonly mentioned or recommended in modification training protocols. However this study, reported that 69% of owners had success with this method.

The study doesn’t indicate exactly what type of relaxation methods were used by the owners though relaxation therapy is basically training your dog to be in a relaxed state on cue.

This can be achieved via massage, classical conditioning, and operant conditioning.

Sounds complicated right?

Well, yes and no. Basically your goal is to find the best way to train your dog to relax on a specific towel on cue. But yes, this will take a LOT of time and patience, but the effort should be more than worth it.

First off, you’ll be helping your Shiba overcome a serious phobia. Secondly, this command is useful in many everyday situations. For example, the relax command is handy when you have visitors over and you need your Shiba to stay calm and in one place.

Here’s a great source to learn more about relaxation training.

Research has shown that as many as 44% of canines have or will have some form of noise anxiety during their lifetime.

Dogs have such keen sense that it makes total sense that loud booms could easily shock their nervous systems. All dogs are genetically wired to be suspicious of sights, sounds, and smells that they can't make sense of. 

Additionally, other studies have shown that certain breeds, including Shiba Inus, are more prone to noise anxiety then other breeds

Causes of Noise Anxiety in Dogs:

• Genetic disposition
• Lack of adequate puppy socialization
• Traumatic experiences
• Natural tendency of “fight or flight” response
• Aging
• Environment
• Dog owners response / actions during stimuli...

The very best way to reduce any future noise-related anxiety is to socialize your Shiba Inu puppy from the very start.

The fear imprint period (8-11 weeks) occurs during a Shiba Inu’s critical puppy development period. This is the time when puppies develop their understanding of the outside world. They’ll learn what and what not to fear by experiences they go through during this time.

Behavior Modification Technique: Classical Conditioning - If you introduce your Shiba Inu puppy to a variety of stimuli (loud noises, various sounds, sights) with positive associations - that puppy will be better equipped to dealing with the same stimuli throughout his or her adulthood.

If, on the other hand, you fail to take the time to introduce your puppy to adverse stimuli, your puppy is more likely to develop anxiety issues as an adult.

The exact long term consequences of noise-related anxiety is difficult to predict.

Chronic stress in dogs has been linked to weakened immune systems, stress-induced diseases, and overall lower quality of well-being.

Low grade stress / anxiety is difficult to diagnose, therefore it’s important to be aware of the not so telling symptoms of noise anxiety listed above.

What compounds this problem is the fact that many dogs go undiagnosed.

In addition to the “ad-hoc” counter conditioning B.M.T., will these other techniques help?

Yes, definitely. With the exception of flooding, these three B.M.T. will help your Shiba overcome noise anxiety if done correctly.

Classical Conditioning -

Coined by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, classical conditioning involves involuntary responses to a conditioned stimulus. For example, if every time a barbecue grill goes on and your Shiba receives a tasty piece of beef, your Shiba will eventually be “classically conditioned” to expect that beef every time the grill fires.

Operant Conditioning -

Operant conditioning, founded by American psychologist B.F. Skinner, is similar to classical conditioning with one major difference. In operant conditioning, a dog voluntarily engages in a behavior that will provide the desired consequence. Basically, your dog willfully “operates” in an action to gain a reward. For example, my Shiba learned that every time she nudges me hard enough under the dinner table, she’ll likely get a taste of the family meal.

Counter Conditioning - 

Counter conditioning involves teaching your dog to unlearn an unwelcome conditioned response. For example, if your Shiba was conditioned to learn that skateboards illicit fear, with counter conditioning, you’ll teach your Shiba to associate something positive (treats, play) with skateboards instead. 

Ad-Hoc Counter Conditioning - (Listed in Above Actions To Take Now)

Ad-Hoc counter conditioning is exactly the same as counter conditioning with the only difference being that it’s done “on the fly” - whereas counter conditioning and other conditioning methods can be done beforehand as part of behavior modification therapy. 

This is the reason why we recommend ad-hoc counter conditioning as the first behavior modification technique to implement. Whereas the other conditioning methods require planning, time, and knowledge - ad-hoc counter conditioning can be performed “when it’s needed” as long as the owner has a basic understanding of the procedure and goals.

Desensitization - 

Desensitization is exactly what it sounds like - reducing sensitivity and emotional responses to a trigger. Desensitization must be done in a carefully planned manner involving small baby steps of gradually increasing exposure to the offending trigger.

So in the case of firework fear, a specially developed firework simulation CD would be used at the absolute lowest volume to start. The volume can only be increased when your Shiba seems comfortable. If you notice any fearful responses, the volume must be dialed back. Failing to follow these precautions could result in worsening your Shiba's fear.

The use of desensitization and counter conditioning has been described as a “one-two punch” against fear. Basically counter conditioning as the “ice cream” and desensitization as the “cherry and cream” on the top.

Management -

Management involves setting your Shiba Inu up for success to begin with. For instance, if you know there’s going to be a firework show in the evening - you’d take all necessary steps to manage your dog’s environment beforehand.

This could involve setting up your Shiba’s safe space, getting music or white noise ready, having all the windows closed with A.C. on to reduce noise coming into the house, and having tasty treats on hand for counter conditioning exercises during the noise. 

Flooding -

Flooding involves forcefully exposing your dog to the fear trigger in hopes that with enough flooding, the fear should eventually fade.

While this works in some cases, it shouldn’t even be considered as it could worsen your dog’s fear while traumatizing him / her at the same time. This is the technique, Cesar Milan of the Dog Whisperer uses in his various t.v. shows.