Noise Maker Party (Game)
You may know that some dogs are afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks, but did you know they can also be scared by everyday noises in our homes and outside?
You can tell your dog is afraid by observing his body language. Hiding, trembling, pacing, panting, vocalizing, elimination, and destruction are commonly reported to us. The less subtle signs of fear often go unrecognized. These include staring at the ceiling, yawning, licking their lips, holding up a paw, brief freezes, squinting, and more. Noticing these signals from our dogs and intervening can help prevent the more commonly reported and often more intense behavior from ever occurring.
To help our dogs with these struggles we use a variety of training tools including games. Noise Maker Party is a fun game you can play with your dog to help him learn that noises don’t have to be scary. Children can even participate in this game (with adult supervision of course). We can use a variety of items that make noise, and many can be found around the house. While we are making the noises our dog will be engaged with a food toy or we will be delivering a part of their daily food allowance (and in some cases, higher value treats). If you notice your dog showing any signs of fear, you’ll want to stop and only play with noise makers that are not scary to your dog.
You can use household items to create your own Noise Maker Party. Here’s a list of some of our favorites:
Pots and Pans
Wooden Spoons
Tupperware
Shutting Doors
Shutting Cabinets
Stomping Feet
Cell Phone Apps
Children’s Toys
Clapping Hands
Tapping on different types of flooring
Rocks
Microwaves
Toaster Ovens
Blenders
Vacuums
Just remember, if your dog is already nervous about something, don’t start with that item for the Noise Maker Party. This should be a fun and an educational experience for your dog. As you build your dog’s skill you will be able to advance with the items you use.
You can find many of our favorite noise makers on Amazon, but the sky is the limit. Here’s a few of our favorites:
Have Fun Playing!