Conquering Noise Fears - How to help your fearful dog based on science with Stefanie Riemer PdD.

Conquering Noise Fears - how to help your fearful dog based on science 

CEUS: PPAB 1.5, IAABC 1, CCPDT 1.5, KPA 1.5, and PMCT 1.5

with Stefanie Riemer PhD.

Noise fears are the most common “behavioural problem” in dogs, affecting up to half the pet dog population. For a long time, using noise recording for desensitisation/ counterconditioning has been the gold standard in the treatment of noise fears. Recent research by Dr. Stefanie Riemer has indicated that counterconditioning to real-life stimuli and relaxation training may even have higher success rates.

In this webinar, Dr. Stefanie Riemer will give an overview over the best management and training approaches to conquering noise fears in dogs, including many video examples and training instructions. The focus will be on different approaches to counterconditioning. Dr. Riemer will also cover when and how to use noise recordings correctly, as well as give a brief overview over relaxation training methods, and training dogs to create noises by themselves. Finally, she will talk about what to do when time is too short for training or when training is not sufficient to relieve a dog’s anxiety. The talk focuses primarily on firework fears, but the advice applies similarly to fear of thunder or of other types of noises.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate awareness of the biological background of noise fears
• Be equipped with a range of mangement options to reduce stress in dogs during noise events as much as possible
• Possess knowledge of the most effective training approaches to conquering noise fears in dogs, including
• (1)Counterconditioning (both to situational stimuli and in a planned training setting)
• (2)Where noise recordings have their use
• (3)Relaxation training
• (4)Games in which dogs can elicit noises or object movements themselves
• Appreciate that not all noise fears can be resolved by training alone and when anxiolytic medication may be indicated

About Stefanie Riemer PhD.

PD Dr. Stefanie Riemer is a behavioural biologist and dog behaviour consultant in Vienna, Austria. During her PhD at the University of Vienna, she investigated personality development in pet dogs. Subsequently, she was involved in several research projects at the University of Lincoln (UK), where she explored impulsivity and reward responsiveness in dogs. From 2016 to 2022 she headed the Companion Animal Behaviour Group at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern (Switzerland), where her research focused on emotional expression in dogs, puppy socialisation, noise fears, the mitigation of fear at the vets, and the phenomenon of ‘ball junkies’ and possible parallels with behavioural addictions in humans.

Besides publishing over 30 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, it has always been important to Stefanie to create a link between science and practice. She does this in seminars for dog trainers and behaviourists, dog owners and veterinarians. Her seminar topics include personality in dogs, the interplay of genes and environment, optimal puppy raising practices, emotions in dogs, or more specifically, understanding fear from a neurobiological perspective and interventions to help fearful dogs.

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