PRODUCT REVIEW:
Starfire System for Curing A Dog’s
Fear of Thunder, Fireworks, or Gunfire
Noise phobias can develop in any type of dog, of any age, no matter what its disposition may be. While there are no “genetically noise-shy” dogs, some seem more likely to become this way than others. Technically, this is called a “genetic predisposition,” or likelihood based upon breeding. Dogs also become noise phobic when they have had a bad experience asso-ciated with a loud noise. For example, someone may have thrown firecrackers at it. Also, a large number of dogs become noise-shy when the owners try to “reassure” the dog after an unpleasant reaction to a loud noise. (Overall, 2005). This is commonly referred to as “inadvertant reinforcement.” (Mills, 2005).
Methods Available
Most techniques for dealing with thunder or fireworks phobias vary in their ability to pro-duce success. While not much research has been done in this area, a study done in 1985 by two Ph.D. behaviorists, P. Borschelt and V. Voith (1985), indicated a cure rate of less than 60% despite the method used. Even the better methods fall short: They consist of random, recorded selections of the feared sound. The owner is instructed to begin playing the record-ing through at a low volume and gradually increase the volume with each new session as long as the dog doesn’t show stress. This is risky, at best.
The owner is also instructed to spray an air freshener to create a conditioned stimulus for calmness. This is also risky since the spray is unstable and the “hissing” types of canisters disturb many dogs. By contrast, the Starfire System uses specially orchestrated largo music to condition the dog to remaining calm as the feared sound is reintroduced. This music is presented as a 10-minute segment at the start of the recording so that the owner can immed-iately begin helping the dog learn to make a positive association with it. Consistent with the rule of prompting and fading, the music is carried through the five-minute segments that follow until it is no longer needed. At that point it is phased out gradually.
The Starfire System especially addresses the fact that loudness is merely one of several variables that must be addressed and dealt with when curing a noise-phobic dog. The others are the nature of the sound (rumbling noise is less disturbing than sharp cracking sounds), the duration of the sound (short segments are easier to tolerate than longer ones), and the fre-quency of occurrance (few presentations of the sound in a given period are better tolerated than many in the same period).
In addition, the instructions also describe how to deal with other variables such as rain and lightning, as well as barometric-pressure changes, ozone, static electricity In the Starfire System, each is gradually and appropriately introduced according to the rules of variable control and systematic desensitization, approximation conditioning, and counter-conditioning. The effect of nutritional uptake on noiseshyness is also considered.
In the Starfire system, the owner or behviorist never needs to re-set the volume control again once he or she has adjusted it for the first segment. Everything is controlled within the production of the recording, making it nearly fail-safe. The accompanying instructions leave nothing to chance: It includes the signs of stress that owners should watch for.
The remission rate for the Starfire system remains at more than 80% over the past 20+ years -- with the owners doing all the work unsupervised. Commended by Cornell University's Animal Health Newsletter and leading dog-care professionals.
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References:
Mills, D. (2005). Management of noise fears and phobias in pets. In Practice 2005;27:248-255 doi:10.1136/inpract.27.5.248
Overall, K. (2005). Noise/storm phobias: General treatment paradigm for dogs with noise and thunderstorm phobias. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Small Animal and Exotics, Book One, Volume 19.
Voith. V. and Borchelt, P. (1985). Fears and Phobias in Companion Animals. The Compen-dium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian. (7:3).
The material contained herein is intended to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subject covered. By its nature, the article can not provide the complete and detailed guidance required by every individual in every situation. The material is thereby offered with the proviso that it is not the intent of the author or any other parties to render professional counsel on the matter covered and said person(s) can not be help liable for any use thereof. If special assistance is required, the services of an expert authority should be sought.
STEPHEN RAFE is the author of two highly acclaimed books and numerous dog-training and behavior manuals and pam-phlets. His Starfire’s Noiseshyness Cure Systems are endorsed worldwide. Income from Stephen's products, services, and seminars in canine behavior and training helps fund his extensive outreach programs to help dogs and their owners.
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