Train Troubles

alschwahn

alschwahn

Location
United States
We moved in October and have been temporarily living in a house near train tracks. Well, the property we bought is about one minute away from the current house we are staying at and is even closer to the train tracks. A train rumbles through every single night and though it isn’t that loud, the rumble is really upsetting for Aspen. He barks and whines and paces by the doors cause he thinks someone is at the house. I’ve tried calling him over to me and soothing him and telling him it’s okay but he stays pretty on edge until the train passes. This happens every single night. How do I help ease his anxiety over the sound of the train?
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
I would have thought he would settle over time but 6 months on and still reacting is hard.
Could you find some YouTube or CD noises of trains similar (I know, no rumble....) and start off with it really low, treating for non reactivity?
Training ain't my forte. Sure someone else will have other ideas.
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
To be honest, I'd go down the meds route.
He may habituate over time, or he might sensitise, making it even worse. Noise sensitivities are not something to tiptoe around, as they often progress and generalise to other areas.
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
I wouldn't try and comfort as you are 'agreeing' with him that it is something to be frightened of, I had a noise sensitive dog (and I am noise sensitive myself so I do understand). My strategy with Jake was everytime there was a noise he was frightened of, I would act in a playful manner and pretend it was something great and send him for his rabbit skin dummy which he loved. Eventually he paired the noise with something he loved and he was fine. Meds will help in the beginning. At the moment he is in a state of nerves, just waiting for the rumble, he needs to change that perception, that the rumble signifies a lovely treat.
 
JES72

JES72

Location
SW London UK
Homer got really scared of lorries firstly skip lorries and then especially the rubbish lorry and the street sweeper. I found going out the front door and waving cheerily at the bin men and turning my back on them while still being cheerful helped him realise the lorry want a threat. After a while he has got more used to them and will watch them from the open front door but won't go too close.
 
alschwahn

alschwahn

Location
United States
Thank you everyone for all the options! The train doesn’t always pass at the same time every single night, which is the hard part. It’s usually after the sun sets so can be anywhere from 8:30-10:00 PM. The weird part is that he doesn’t react vocally if we aren’t home. I know this because there have been nights where we are out and away from home during this time and I don’t get a barking alert on my Furbo. If we aren’t home, he is usually tucked away in his kennel as we leave the door open for him to have a “space” to voluntarily go to when he wants while we are gone.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
You are on the right track with having a quiet and safe den @alschwahn. 6 months is a long time, do you think this have been escalating?

Like @snowbunny mentioned, noise phobias can generalise, this does take time but not uncommon, especially with noise phobic dogs, meaning dogs become uncomfortable with sounds that previously they weren't bothered by, for example dustbin lorries, or even airplanes.

Do not be afraid of comforting Aspen, especially when the rumbles first start, guide him into his den and sit quietly with him. I wouldn't at this stage be offering toys, or distractions, unless it is a lick mat or kong that Aspen can have BEFORE the train goes by. This all needs to be part of a management plan which I would absolutely use medication in a 2 -pronged attack. Aspen needs help to manage his immediate response, as well as something give him the head-space to develop some resilience. Have a look for clinical behaviourist that can offer some support with a management plan in conjunction with medication. They may suggest a short-acting medication to help bridge that 2 hour period ..... 8.30pm - 10pm, as well as a more long-term medication that helps work from a different angle, by helping provide a bit more support in processing information in a calmer manner.
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
Beanwood said:
unless it is a lick mat or kong that Aspen can have BEFORE the train goes by
Click to expand...
As long as that doesn't become a predictor of the train, and he starts avoiding the mat/Kong. It can become a cue, just like any other cue. Like getting the food bowl out is a predictor of dinner, getting the lick mat out can become a predictor of the thing he's scared of.

I can highly recommend Amy Cook's "Sound Advice" course on Fenzi: Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - BH160: Sound Advice: Conquering Noise Sensitivity
It doesn't run again until June, unfortunately, but if you're still having issues then, I'd jump on it.

She also has this workshop on demand, which might be worth looking at: Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - WP515: Preventing and Handling Mild Noise Sensitivity
 
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