BOOMS, BANGS & BARKS: How to Help Your Dog Conquer Noise Related Fears

Imagine this:

You're relaxing at home, maybe reading a book or watching TV. Suddenly, a loud, unpredictable explosion rattles the windows. Your heart jumps. You weren’t expecting it. You don’t know where it came from, what it means, or if another one is coming.

Now imagine this happens again. And again.And again. Sometimes it’s a thunderclap.Sometimes it’s a burst of fireworks.Sometimes it’s a sound only you seem to notice.

You try to hide — maybe in a closet or under a blanket. But the noise keeps coming. No one explains what’s happening. No one comforts you. Maybe they even ignore you or tell you to “get over it.”

You start to dread the evenings. You scan the skies. You avoid going outside. You can’t eat, you can’t sleep.You live in a state of constant anxiety.

For many dogs with noise phobia, this is their reality.

What Is Noise Phobia?

Noise phobia is an extreme, persistent fear of specific sounds — most commonly fireworks, thunderstorms, or gunshots. It’s not just being startled; it’s a full-blown panic response. Dogs may tremble, hide, pant excessively, vocalize, become destructive, or try to escape. In severe cases, they may injure themselves or develop generalized anxiety.

In contrast, noise sensitivity or sound sensitivity refers to a lower-level, yet still problematic, reaction to certain

sounds. These dogs may be uncomfortable, hyper-alert, or mildly stressed by noise — but they don’t exhibit the intense distress or shutdown behaviors seen in phobic dogs.

Think of it like this:

• Noise sensitivity is like jumping when a balloon pops.

• Noise phobia is like panicking when you hear a balloon might pop — and then hiding for hours afterward.

Whether it’s mild or severe, noise-related fear is a real welfare issue — and it deserves compassionate, evidence-based treatment.

Loud noises like fireworks, thunder, or even construction can trigger intense fear in dogs. In fact, up to 50% of pet dogs may suffer from noise-related fears — making it one of the most common behavioral issues pet parents face (Riemer, 2023).

At Wiggle Butt Academy, we believe no dog should have to suffer in silence (or in noise!). Here's what to do if you think your dog is suffering:

🚨 First, Protect Their Welfare

The most important step is management. During noise events:

• Create a safe space (think: a cozy crate or quiet room).

• Use white noise or calming music to help mask booms and bangs.

• Offer high-value treats or play when noise occurs to help form new, positive associations.

• And yes, comfort your dog if they seek contact — ignoring them can increase fear (Riemer, 2023).

Contrary to outdated advice, rewarding your dog during noise events does not reinforce fear. Fear is not a behavior you can reinforce. In fact, pairing noise with positive experiences (called counterconditioning) is one of the most effective long-term strategies available (Riemer, 2023).

💊 See your Veterinarian. Ask About Medications or Natural Products?

Many pet parents reach for natural remedies, but unfortunately, the evidence for their effectiveness is often no better than a placebo. Products like pheromone diffusers, herbal drops, or essential oils simply don’t hold up when tested scientifically (Riemer, 2023).

In contrast, anti-anxiety medications (like Sileo®, trazodone, or Pexion®) show strong evidence of effectiveness — and can be a critical part of the plan for dogs with severe fears (Riemer, 2023).

If your dog is suffering, medicine can be a very important part of the get-better plan.

🧠 Train for Long-Term Relief

There are science-backed training options that can truly help dogs overcome their fears:

✅ Counterconditioning

Reward your dog with food, play, or attention immediately after a loud noise. Over time, this helps your dog associate noise with good things. This method had the highest success rate (over 70%) in one large-scale study (Riemer, 2023).

✅ Relaxation Training

Teach your dog to relax on cue using massage, calming routines, or operant conditioning. This can empower them to self-soothe in stressful situations — and it works.

✅ Desensitization with Sound Recordings

Gradually expose your dog to low-volume recordings of thunder or fireworks while rewarding calm behavior. It’s not for every dog, but it’s an important tool in the toolbox.

🎉 The Good News? Noise Fears Are Preventable

Early socialization and positive exposure to sound — especially during the puppy stage — can significantly reduce the risk of noise fears later in life. But even adult dogs can benefit from proactive noise training (Riemer, 2023).

💬 Let’s Chat

If your dog is struggling with noise fears, you're not alone. Ready to help your dog feel safe again? Give us or a credentialed positive reinforcement trainer a call!

📚 Source:

Riemer, S. (2023). Therapy and Prevention of Noise Fears in Dogs—A Review of the Current Evidence for Practitioners. Animals, 13(23), 3664. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233664