Case Study: Auditory Sensitivity and Anxiety in Bailey a Cocker Spaniel with Concurrent Resource Guarding in Faringdon, Wiltshire.

This case study describes the behavioural presentation of Bailey, a 6.5-year-old male Cocker Spaniel exhibiting marked auditory sensitivity alongside a history of resource guarding.

While the resource guarding has responded positively to behaviour modification, Bailey continues to demonstrate significant stress responses to specific everyday sounds, notably human coughing and the completion beep of a dishwasher. These sounds trigger avoidance and safety-seeking behaviours, suggesting a pattern of auditory hypersensitivity. This case illustrates the importance of recognising sensory sensitivities as a distinct behavioural concern requiring targeted intervention in addition to addressing other behavioural issues.

Background

Auditory sensitivity, also referred to as sound sensitivity or noise aversion, encompasses a spectrum of abnormal behavioural responses to everyday sounds. Unlike classic noise phobias associated with thunderstorms or fireworks, some dogs react to low-intensity, commonplace sounds that are generally perceived as non-threatening. These reactions may be associated with heightened sensory processing, learned fear responses, anxiety disorders, or individual differences in neurological sensitivity.

Cocker Spaniels are recognised as a breed that can display heightened emotional responsiveness and anxiety-related behaviours. Individual dogs may also experience more than one behavioural condition simultaneously, making comprehensive assessment essential.

Patient Information

Name: Bailey

Breed: English Cocker Spaniel

Age: 6.5 years

Sex: Male

Presenting Concerns:

• Ongoing management of resource guarding.
• Consistent distress in response to specific household sounds.

Behavioural History

Bailey has a history of resource guarding directed towards valued items. Through structured behaviour modification using reward-based techniques, this behaviour has shown substantial improvement.

During this process, a second behavioural concern became increasingly apparent. Bailey reacts consistently to specific sounds, particularly:

• A person coughing.
• The completion beep emitted by the household dishwasher.

Interestingly, Bailey does not appear equally distressed by all loud sounds, indicating that his responses are selective rather than reflecting a generalized fear of noise.

Clinical Presentation

When exposed to the triggering sounds, Bailey exhibits behaviours consistent with acute stress:

• Immediate startle response.
• Rapid movement away from the sound source.
• Jumping onto the kitchen table.
• Seeking refuge behind his owner while on the sofa.
• Increased vigilance until the environment feels safe.

These behaviours occur within seconds of hearing the trigger and appear to function as attempts to increase distance from the perceived threat while seeking security from a trusted caregiver.

No aggressive behaviour accompanies these episodes.

Behavioural Interpretation

Bailey’s responses are consistent with auditory sensitivity involving both avoidance and attachment-based safety seeking.

The fact that coughing—a biologically meaningful, unpredictable human vocalisation—and the dishwasher beep—a brief, high-frequency electronic signal—both provoke similar reactions suggests that Bailey may be responding to specific acoustic characteristics rather than volume alone.

Possible contributing factors include:

• Heightened auditory sensitivity.
• Negative emotional associations formed through previous experiences.
• Reduced ability to habituate to unpredictable sounds.
• General anxiety increasing responsiveness to unexpected stimuli.

I believe it is entirely possible, even though at the monment there is insufficient evidence to suggest it fully that Bailey has a neurodevelopmental disorder such as an autism-like syndrome. Bailey’s behaviour is more parsimoniously explained by selective sound sensitivity occurring alongside anxiety-related behaviours.

Interaction with Resource Guarding

Although Bailey’s resource guarding and auditory sensitivity may appear unrelated, both behaviours involve emotional responses to perceived threats.

Resource guarding reflects concern over losing valuable resources, whereas auditory sensitivity reflects concern over unexpected environmental stimuli. In both cases, the underlying emotional state is likely one of anxiety or perceived lack of control.

Improving Bailey’s confidence through resource-guarding work may therefore provide indirect benefits by reducing his overall stress level, although specific intervention for sound sensitivity may remain necessary.

Welfare Considerations

Repeated exposure to unavoidable trigger sounds may contribute to chronic activation of Bailey’s stress response. Over time, cumulative stress has the potential to:

• Reduce resilience to new experiences.
• Increase general vigilance.
• Interfere with learning.
• Affect sleep quality.
• Lower overall welfare.

Recognising subtle signs of stress before escape behaviour occurs is therefore an important component of treatment.

Behaviour Modification Plan

Management should focus on reducing Bailey’s emotional response rather than simply preventing avoidance.

Recommended strategies include:

Trigger Management

Where practical:

• Reduce the volume of appliance alert sounds.
• Consider changing the dishwasher settings if audible alerts can be disabled.
• Warn Bailey of predictable coughing episodes where possible by pairing them with positive outcomes.

Desensitisation and Counterconditioning

Controlled exposure to recordings of coughing and dishwasher beeps at very low intensity may be paired with high-value food rewards.

Progression should occur only while Bailey remains relaxed.

The objective is to replace the anticipation of threat with an expectation of positive consequences.

Establishing a Safe Resting Area

Rather than discouraging Bailey from seeking safety, an alternative resting place can be created, such as a comfortable bed in a quiet location. Reinforcing calm behaviour in this designated area may provide him with a predictable coping strategy that is safer than jumping onto furniture or tables.

Supporting Emotional Regulation

Relaxation protocols, predictable daily routines, scent-based enrichment, and opportunities for species-appropriate behaviours (such as sniffing and foraging) may help reduce Bailey’s baseline stress levels, increasing his capacity to cope with unexpected sounds.

Prognosis

Bailey’s prognosis is considered favourable for several reasons:

• His resource guarding has already shown measurable improvement, indicating good learning ability and owner commitment.
• His triggers are specific rather than widespread.
• He actively seeks security from his owner rather than displaying defensive aggression during sound-related episodes.

Continued behaviour modification targeting auditory sensitivity is likely to reduce the intensity and frequency of these responses over time, although complete elimination of sound sensitivity may not be achievable.

Discussion

Bailey demonstrates how behavioural problems often coexist while remaining functionally distinct. Successful treatment of one issue does not necessarily resolve another, particularly when different emotional systems are involved.

His case highlights the importance of identifying selective sound sensitivity, even when reactions involve relatively ordinary household noises. Such responses should not be dismissed as overreaction or disobedience but recognised as indicators of genuine emotional distress.

With continued reward-based intervention, careful management of trigger exposure, and ongoing monitoring of welfare, Bailey’s quality of life can be expected to improve further.

Conclusion

Bailey’s case illustrates selective auditory sensitivity occurring alongside successfully managed resource guarding. His avoidance and safety-seeking behaviours indicate that certain everyday sounds evoke significant anxiety. While these behaviours are difficult to attribute entirely to a diagnosis of canine autism, they are consistent with sound sensitivity and anxiety-related sensory processing differences. Continued behavioural intervention aimed at changing Bailey’s emotional response to specific sounds offers an excellent opportunity to improve both his confidence and overall welfare.