We once worked with a German Shepherd named Roger, who would frantically spin in circles at the doorbell sound. He also bit his humans. Roger was a rescue dog, and we suspected that previous owners had created this bizarre reaction to the doorbell. We worked with the dog, and the situation improved after an extensive desensitization process.
Fear can be helpful for any living being, as it’s often a warning of danger. For example, the sound of a speeding car or a growling, hungry animal headed toward you alerts you to get away fast!
But when a dog’s fear extends to harmless things, it becomes an anxiety-inducing phobia, not a legitimate warning. Instead, it is an annoyance or, in severe cases, a disability. For your dog, almost any sound can trigger noise fear if an association has been established between the item or action and a negative outcome.
Phobia, Fear, and Anxiety: Are They the Same?
First, let’s distinguish between fear, anxiety, and phobia.
Fear is a natural physical and emotional response to a threat. It is beneficial when it warns of danger and prepares the dog to stay and fight or flee to safety.
Anxiety is a constant fear of something, real or perceived, that isn’t an immediate threat.
A full-blown phobia is an extreme version of anxiety where the fear is way out of proportion to the perceived threat.
Your dog can experience any or all three of them.
Noise Phobia and Anxiety
A dog’s sense of hearing is much stronger than our own. For some dogs, certain sounds can be so intense that they are physically painful. It’s not surprising, then, that many dogs are susceptible to noise-related fears.
A noise phobia is an excessive, irrational fear triggered by a non-threatening sound. The dogs overreact, panic, and try to escape whatever is causing the sound.
An estimated third of all dogs experience noise phobia to some extent. While it can happen at any age, these fears tend to appear most frequently between one and two years of age. Once they have developed a fear of one sound, the fear will likely expand to other sounds if the problem is not addressed.
Certain breeds are more susceptible to noise-related fear, such as Collies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and other working dogs.
How Does Canine Noise Phobia Manifest Itself?
A dog with noise phobia or anxiety will act as though the noise source is about to attack them. There is a wide variety of ways the dog will express that fear:
- Running to a safe place, hiding, trying to escape
- Trembling
- Tail tucked between the legs
- Panting and drooling
- Freezing up, not moving
- Barking, whining, yelping
- Urinating or defecating in the house
- Chewing and destroying things
If panicked enough, a dog may jump through a window to get away. If they have access to the outdoors, they may run away and get lost. Some may even become aggressive.
Causes of Noise Phobia or Anxiety
Natural Fears
Loud, booming noises (e.g., thunder and fireworks) can affect almost any dog. Imagine how it must sound to dogs with their sharper hearing. High-pitched piercing noises, such as alarms, sirens, and various sounds produced by electronics, can also be bothersome.
Learned Fears
Some sounds become a thing to fear because they’ve become associated with an adverse event. Perhaps the sound of an umbrella opening comes right before thunder. If the dog has ever experienced a traumatic event, sounds associated with the event become reminders of the trauma and fear triggers.
Under the wrong circumstances, any otherwise typical sound can become a dog’s nightmare.
Medical Issues and Senior Dogs
While these fears can begin at any age, senior dogs may develop them due to medical conditions that come with declining health. Their hearing may be more sensitive and loud noises more painful.
Can a Dog Parent Make Noise Phobia Worse?
Sometimes, the things pet parents do intending to help their dogs unintentionally create a bigger problem. It’s natural to comfort your distressed dog, but petting and consoling them may only reinforce the fear because it tells the dog that there really is something to fear.
Your dog can read your mood, and they will turn to you as pack leader for comfort and guidance. Instead of making an overly emotional fuss over them, displaying a calm demeanor is essential. If you fear the same noise, showing it will reinforce the dog’s fears. Do your best to remain calm instead.
How to Help a Dog With Noise Anxiety
Every dog is different, but there are several things you can do to help your dog overcome their fears. If the case is severe, you may need professional help.
What Pet Owners Can Do
It’s best to avoid creating the problem in the first place. Make sure your dog is socialized and exposed to typical noises from a young age. Protect them from traumatic events to the best of your ability. But if one does come along, demonstrate a calm demeanor and remove them from the situation. Add background noise, such as music or the TV, that can drown out the frightening noise. Put a body wrap on the dog. Mild compression can help calm them.
Create a safe space such as a crate or box with a blanket draped over the top and sides or a small, dark room. Some essential oils can be soothing, too.
Can a Professional Dog Trainer Help Manage My Dog’s Behavioral Problems?
If the fear is so severe that the dog cannot calm down and may harm themselves or the people in your home, it’s time to call for help. Your veterinarian can rule out medical reasons for the extreme behavior. They can prescribe medication to alleviate the dog’s pain and panicked behavior if necessary.
Then contact a professional trainer, such as the experts here at K9 Basics. We will help your dog release intense fears through gradual desensitization and counterconditioning, disconnecting items and events from the phobic response. And we’ll make sure you know how to handle any fears that emerge.
Give us a call at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our dog training services. Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!
References
- HomeoPet, Team. “Noise Phobia in Dogs – How to Help Your Dog Cope and Remain Calm.” HomeoPet, www.homeopet.com/noise-phobia-dogs/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2023.
- “Noise Phobia in Dogs.” AKC Canine Health Foundation | Noise Phobia in Dogs, www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/noise-phobia-in-dogs.html. Accessed 19 Jan. 2023.
- DogTime. “Noise Anxiety in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, & 5 Ways to Treat It.” DogTime, 1 July 2021, dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/2580-noise-anxiety-dogs/amp. Accessed 19 Jan. 2023.