The holidays are fast approaching, and with the festivities comes fireworks and other loud noises that can cause stress, fear, or anxiety for many dogs. Whether it’s fireworks, thunderstorms, or the sound of a vacuum cleaner, certain noises can trigger intense fear and anxiety in some dogs. Understanding this condition, its signs, and how to manage it can make a world of difference for both dogs and their humans, especially during the chaos of holiday celebrations, which for many dogs means unpredictability and disrupted routines. Now is the time to make a plan for managing your dog’s feelings about noises! Read on to find out more about how you can support your canine companion during noise events.
What Is Noise Phobia?
Noise phobia in dogs is a common yet often misunderstood condition that can significantly impact a dog’s quality of life. But what is it, exactly? Noise phobia is an excessive, intense, and persistent fear of certain sounds that develops suddenly. It goes beyond the normal startle response a dog may exhibit when hearing a loud or unexpected noise; a dog is not just “being a dog” if they respond fearfully to noises. For dogs with noise phobia, these sounds can trigger extreme reactions that are disproportionate to the actual threat posed, and these dogs can take as long as weeks or months to recover. While dogs can be afraid of any noises (even those we humans cannot hear) fireworks are the most common culprit, followed closely by thunderstorms and gunshots.
While any dog of any age can develop noise phobia, it is more common in certain breeds and older dogs. It is believed that genetic predisposition, past traumatic experiences, and lack of early socialization to various sounds can contribute to the development of this condition.
Here is a video that gives an overview of noise phobia in dogs.
Prevalence of Noise Phobia in Dogs
Noise phobia is one of the most common behavioural concerns in the pet dog population: some studies estimate that between 25-50% of dogs may suffer from some form of noise sensitivity, with a significant percentage experiencing severe noise phobia. The prevalence is particularly high during specific times of the year, such as around New Year’s Eve or Canada Day when fireworks are common.
Although noise phobia can affect dogs of any breed, herding breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds appear to be more susceptible, which indicates a genetic predisposition to noise phobia. Additionally, older dogs may develop noise sensitivities as their hearing and cognitive function change with age. Noise phobia is often seen in dogs with other behaviour concerns, such as separation anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder.
“Data indicate that if a dog has storm or noise phobia he may
be more at risk for the development of separation anxiety,
generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and, possibly,
other anxiety-related conditions.” – Dr. Karen Overall
Signs and Symptoms of Noise Phobia
So how do you know whether your dog is afraid of certain noises? Signs and symptoms of noise phobia vary between individual dogs, and some dogs may only be afraid of one or two noises, while others may have a more global fear of noises. Many noise-phobic dogs engage in some type of avoidance behaviour (trying to hide or run away); some will pace and whine; others will show full-blown panic responses. One thing is for sure: the more signs and symptoms the dog shows, and the more pronounced these signs are, the worse the phobia. Recognizing the signs of noise phobia in your own dog is essential for early intervention.
Common signs include:
- Behavioural: Hiding or attempting to escape; trembling, pacing; urinating or defecating; excessive alertness (‘hypervigilance”)
- Vocalization: Excessive barking, whining, or howling.
- Physical: excessive panting, excessive salivation, drooling, and/or dilated pupils.
- Destructive Behaviour: Chewing, digging, or scratching at doors and windows.
- Clinginess: Seeking constant reassurance from their owners; trying to hide in owner’s lap or arms
- Other stress signals: ears back; furrowed brow, yawning, lip licking
In severe cases, noise phobia can lead to self-injury as dogs attempt to flee from the perceived threat. It is crucial for dog guardians to address these symptoms promptly. Early intervention is key to successfully addressing noise phobia.
Pro tip: record video of your dog’s responses to certain noises. Videoing the dog in a number of environments and/or when you are not home will help you figure out whether your dog reacts to noises and if so, to which noises. This is good data that will help you formulate an individualized treatment plan!
Below is a video of my youngest border collie, Hamish, who developed a severe thunderstorm phobia at 1.5 years old after getting caught in a surprise storm while on a walk. The video was taken 48 hours after the thunderstorm that caused him to panic. As you can see, Hamish was still showing signs of distress even 2 days after the storm. In the video, he is stress-panting, lip-licking (a stress signal), hyper-vigilant, and refusing to get out of my car (his safe space).
Tips for Treating and Managing Noise Phobia
So what can you do if your dog is afraid of noises? The good news is that there is help available! Managing noise phobia in dogs often requires a combination of approaches tailored to the individual dog’s needs. Here are some strategies to help:
1. Consult a Professional
Your first line of defence should be to contact your veterinarian. There are several medical conditions that could aggravate a dog’s anxious and panicky behaviour that need to be ruled out first, plus your vet can talk to you about other treatment options such as medication (see tip #6). Working with a behaviour specialist, such as certified professional trainer or behaviour consultant , and/or a board-certified veterinary behaviourist is also strongly recommended, as they can provide evidence-based, specialized guidance and support. Remember that noise phobia is a behavioural pathology and does require clinical intervention.
2. Create a Safe Space
Provide a quiet, secure area where your dog can retreat during noisy events. This “zen den” could be a covered crate, a small room, or even a corner with comfortable bedding. Consider using white noise machines or calming music to mask external sounds (see tip #3), and remember that bright flashes of light can also trigger a dog’s fear response, so it can help to cover windows. Basements or internal rooms can be good options because these places will help mask the sounds from outdoors. Note that crates are not appropriate for dogs who try to escape from sounds: the crate will make them feel trapped and will worsen your dog’s phobia. Only use a crate if your dog is already comfortable in it and if they willingly go into it and relax.
3. Sound Masking
Masking sounds from outside such as fireworks, thunder, traffic noise, etc., can be very helpful; better yet, this is an evidence-based approach. Try a white-noise machine, a box fan, or play some music to mask the scary sounds. Dog-training blogger extraordinaire Eileen Anderson has some great suggestions for music that most effectively masks sounds, and she also suggests the following:
“Household appliances can help. Some floor fans hit fairly low frequencies and can be helpful. You can run the dryer (no heat) with a pair of sports shoes inside for some booms that will probably be familiar and not scary. You’ll need to find the line of best fit for your dogs.”
4. Behavioural Training
Desensitization and counter-conditioning (DS/CC) can be effective techniques for reducing noise phobia over time. A quick Google search will give you a number of suggestions, including playing recordings of certain noises at low volume to desensitize your dog to them, or pairing said noises with treats. However, these techniques are best carried out under the guidance of a certified trainer or vet behaviourist. Noise phobia is tricky to treat using DS/CC alone, and these techniques run the risk of making the dog more fearful of noises.
One thing you can easily do at home is to carry special high-value treats with you (or set up treat stations around your house) and any time a potentially scary noise occurs, immediately praise your dog and toss a bunch of treats on the ground. This technique is called ad hoc counter-conditioning and may help reduce your dog’s startle response and make them more resilient to sudden noises.
5. Calming Aids
Products like anxiety wraps (e.g. a Thundershirt), pheromone diffusers, and calming supplements can help some dogs feel more secure. They may help lessen a dog’s anxiety but they are not the same as treatment, and none of these products have been rigorously tested; most success stories are anecdotal. Speak with your veterinarian about options that may be suitable for your dog.
6. Medication
Due to the nature of noise phobias, medications that reduce your dog’s anxiety are strongly recommended as part of a treatment plan. All of the research on noise phobia in dogs shows that medication is the best, most effective way to treat noise phobia. Your vet or vet behaviourist may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or SSRIs (e.g. prozac) to help manage your dog’s fear during specific events. These should always be used under professional guidance.
There is a medication that is newly available in Canada, called Sileo, which is the first FDA-approved treatment for dogs with noise phobia. It is easy to administer and highly effective. You can ask your vet or vet behaviourist whether Sileo is a good option for your dog.
7. Plan Ahead
If you know when noise-triggering events will occur, such as fireworks displays, prepare in advance by ensuring your dog is safely indoors, has access to their safe space, and has been given any necessary calming aids or medications. I also plan decompression activities, such as play sessions or long nature walks/hikes, the day after a sudden or traumatic noise event such as fireworks or thunderstorms. These activities can help your dog complete the stress cycle and bring their stress-hormone levels back to baseline.
Supporting Your Dog Through Noise Phobia
Noise phobia can be distressing for both dogs and their humans, but with proper treatment and proactive management, it is possible to reduce its impact and help your dog feel better . Patience, consistency, empathy, and above all, early intervention are key to helping your dog feel safe and secure! By recognizing the signs early and implementing effective strategies, you can help your canine companion overcome their fear and lead a happier, more relaxed life.