Dog's Sound Sensitivity Causes Anxiety

Beginning of article

Dear Dog Talk: My husband and I have a Cairn terrier who is approximately a year-and-a-half old. We brought Zoey home when she was 3 1/2 months old. From the beginning, Zoey has been afraid of noise. She quivers and shakes and will try to hide. We do not know what to do to help her with this problem.

A thunderstorm, even in the distance, sets her into a tizzy. We have tried holding her close, but this isn't much help.

If we are outside and a car backfires in the distance or she hears a gunshot or a loud motorcycle, she pulls on her leash to get to the house. Then she is afraid to go back outside for the rest of the day.

With the Fourth of July coming up, we …