Due to the sheer popularity of people keeping a dog as a pet we see a huge number of questions about keeping a pet dog month in and month out.
Over the last year or two, there has also been an increase in the popularity of playing the guitar too and this has resulted in a spike in the number of questions that we see from people asking what they should do if their dog is scared of their guitar.
When introduced correctly and you take the time to get your dog used to the sound of your guitar, there is usually no need for your dog to be scared.
Our hope is that this article will be able to help as many of our readers as possible better understand how they might be able to help their dog get used to their guitar and prevent their pet from being scared.
Is It Normal for A Dog To Be Scared of A Guitar?
Before we get started, it’s important to answer the question of whether it’s normal for a dog to be scared of a guitar.
The simple answer is yes, it’s perfectly normal but not as common as most people think.
Dogs have much sharper hearing than we do and they can also pick up on vibrations in a way that we can’t.
This means that when you first start playing the guitar, your dog is likely to be scared because they can hear and feel things that we can’t.
Many people will find that their dog will react to their guitar more if they are focusing on the higher pitched notes for a guitar solo but their dog may not care if they are playing the lower notes and playing chords.
The good news is that there are a few things that you can do to help your dog get used to the sound of your guitar and eventually, they will stop being scared.
Getting Your Dog Used To The Sound Of Your Guitar!
Now that we know it’s normal for a dog to be scared of a guitar, let’s look at some of the things that you can do to help your dog get used to the sound of your guitar.
The first thing that you need to do is to try and desensitize your dog to the sound of your guitar.
This can be done by playing your guitar for short periods of time, gradually increasing the length of time as your dog gets used to the sound.
You should also make sure that you are not paying too much attention to your dog when you are playing the guitar as this will only make them more anxious.
Another thing that you can do is to provide your dog with a safe space, such as their crate, where they can go if they feel scared or overwhelmed.
This will allow them to have a place to go where they feel safe and secure and they can come out when they are ready.
Finally, it’s important to reward your dog when they are not scared of your guitar.
This could be with a treat or their favorite toy and it will help to reinforce the positive behavior.
Why Does My Dog Whine When I Play Guitar?
One of the most common questions that we see about dogs and guitars is why does my dog whine when I play guitar.
There are a few different reasons why your dog may be whining when you play guitar but the most likely reason is that your dog is actually trying to communicate with you.
Think of a wolf howling or your dog howling to the TV, when you play your guitar, your dog may interpret this as you trying to communicate with the dog in a new way so it whines or howls to try and communicate with you.
If your dog is confident, looking at you, and not showing any signs of fear while whining or howling as you play your guitar, it is highly likely that your dog is just trying to communicate with you.
Why Is My Dog Scared Of My Guitar?
The most likely reason why your dog is scared of your guitar is because they are not used to the sound.
As we mentioned before, dogs have much sharper hearing than we do and they can also pick up on vibrations in a way that we can’t.
This means that when you first start playing the guitar, your dog is likely to be scared because they can hear and feel things that we can’t.
Another reason why your dog may be scared of your guitar is because they are picking up on your own anxiety.
If you are feeling anxious or stressed when you play the guitar, your dog is likely to pick up on this and it will make them more anxious as well.
The volume of your guitar will also come into play when it comes to getting your dog used to it as well as the vibrations of your amp through the floor.
In some cases, you may realize that placing your amp on an owl quilt to prevent the vibrations from reaching your dog’s paw pad through the floor may be enough to prevent your dog from being scared and fearful.
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Get Used To A Guitar?
It typically takes a few weeks for a dog to get used to the sound of a guitar.
However, it is important to remember that every dog is different and some dogs may take longer than others to get used to the sound.
You should also keep in mind that there are a number of factors that can affect how long it takes for your dog to get used to the sound of your guitar.
These include things like the volume of your guitar, how often you play, and whether or not you are paying attention to your dog when you are playing.
The best thing that you can do is to be patient and work at your own pace to help your dog get used to the sound of your guitar.
As with all dog training, the key is consistency and maintaining a consistent strategy of playing with your guitar and then taking breaks to reassure your dog that everything is ok.
What Can I Do If My Dog Always Hates My Guitar?
If your dog is showing no signs of getting used to you playing your guitar then you may want to look at alternatives.
These can include not plugging your guitar into your amp when playing or getting some headphones that will jack into your amp to remove the loud noise and vibrations which are one of the main reasons that your pet dog may be fearful when you play your guitar.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been able to help you better understand why your dog might be scared of your guitar and what you can do to help them get used to the sound.
Remember, it’s important to be patient and to gradually increase the amount of time that you are playing your guitar.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us and we would be happy to help.
