Sounds Dogs Hate: Understanding Noise Phobia & How to Manage It

The fear of sudden loud noises is an important trait developed from evolution that has allowed continued survival for dogs, humans, and other animals alike. By allowing our instincts to kick in, reacting to undesirable noises helps trigger the fight-or-flight response. Despite this, there are a handful of sounds dogs hate, which can develop into serious phobias later on in their lives.

 

Continue reading to discover why the fear of loud noises is so common in dogs. Find out the sounds that scare dogs most often, how to recognize noise phobias in your pup, and what you can do to help your frightened four-legged friend!

 

 

Why Do Certain Sounds Scare Dogs?

Does your dog start shaking every time you turn on the vacuum? Do they jump at the sound of thunder? Or perhaps they hide when fireworks are going off? If any of these are true for you and your pup, they might be suffering from noise phobia. Think about it, why do certain sounds scare you? Just like us, a sudden and loud noise that seems to come from nowhere can be frightening or jarring at the very least. It sure doesn't help that our canine companions have developed much more sensitive ears through evolution than we have (more on that below).

 

 

Are a Dog's Ears More Sensitive Than Human Ears?

Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans do, which may be partially to blame for the common fear of loud noises. Sounds that are loud to us are generally experienced at a much higher volume by our canine companions. Dogs are also capable of hearing sounds at much pitches and higher frequencies than humans.

 

Typically humans can only hear frequencies up to 20,000 Hz. On the other side of that coin, dogs can hear frequencies up to 45,000 Hz. Their high-frequency hearing means that our furry canine friends are far more sensitive to sounds and noises too high in pitch for the human ear to detect.

 

When it comes to noise phobias, certain breeds of dogs are significantly overrepresented, strongly implying an inherited factor to this condition. Many experts believe that Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds are more genetically prone to inheriting noise phobias than other dog breeds.

 

 

What Causes Noise Phobias in Dogs? 

Noise phobias in dogs are generally pretty common. One recent study showed that an estimated 39% of dogs show symptoms of noise phobia. This fear of noises is also commonly seen paired with other behavioral disorders such as stress or separation anxiety disorder. The list of things that can potentially cause a noise phobia in your sweet pup is virtually endless.

 

Because of their amazing sense of hearing, dogs can generally develop a fear of any sound, no matter how insignificant. Even small, odd noises like a squeaky door being opened or a fan being turned on can freak your dog out. However, most dog owners can attest to a few noises in particular that are notorious for causing fear in our canine companions. In fact, you're probably thinking of them right now, but we'll list a few just for good measure: fireworks, thunderstorms, car alarms, and so on.

 

 

Noise-Phobia vs. Thunderstorm Phobia

Even though thunderstorms are also a common cause of canine noise phobia, dog parents should take care to understand the difference between noise and thunderstorm phobia. Noise phobia typically only refers to the fear of loud noises. The phobia of storms, however, is a multisensory experience for dogs.

 

While the loud noises produced by thunder are part of the phobia, the other aspects of a storm (i.e., rain battering the roof, flashes of lightning, changes in air pressure, heavy wind, etc.) may all independently trigger fear. There is also a possibility that these other storm aspects will become stress-inducing predictors of an incoming thunderstorm. While thunderstorm phobia and other noise phobias may often occur, they also often occur separately.

 

 

Sounds Dogs Hate

Dogs have highly sensitive hearing, and certain sounds can trigger discomfort, fear, or even anxiety in them. From loud noises like thunder and fireworks to high-pitched noises such as whistles, dogs tend to react strongly to specific sounds they hate. As a dog owner, it’s important to understand these triggers to help keep your pet calm and comfortable.

 

 

Thunderstorms

The sound of thunder is one of the most common fear-inducing sounds for dogs. However, it’s not just the volume of the thunder itself that causes fear in dogs. Several factors contribute to their anxiety during storms, most of which include:

 

• Changes in barometric pressure
• The smell of rain
• The appearance of storm clouds
• Fireworks

 

The explosion of fireworks is another very common sound dogs hate. Fireworks are significantly louder than your everyday noises. Their sounds are random and often last throughout the night. Thankfully, fireworks are only set off a couple of times a year. Watch your dog carefully during fireworks around Independence Day and New Year's so that you can calm them down.

 

 

Vacuum Cleaners

Your dog doesn't know that carpets need to be vacuumed and most likely assumes it to be a noisy, evil robot of some sort encroaching on their territory. Some dogs may bark or growl at the vacuum, trying to defend their home, while others might choose to avoid the "evil robot" altogether by hiding under furniture. This reaction is common, as the unfamiliar noise and vibrations from the vacuum trigger fear, especially in dogs that are more sensitive to loud sounds.

 

 

Construction Noises

Tractors beeping as they move in reverse, jackhammers breaking up concrete, and hammers banging away can often make construction zones especially stress-inducing and frightening for dogs with noise phobias. These sudden, unpredictable sounds overwhelm their sensitive hearing, causing anxiety or fear. Dogs in these situations may try to flee, bark excessively, or show signs of distress, making construction areas a source of significant discomfort for them.

 

 

Air Conditioners or Furnaces

The sound of a furnace or air conditioner turning on can send certain dogs running. The sudden nature of this sound can often cause quite a startle in your pup. Since these sounds come out of nowhere and are loud, they can easily trigger a startled reaction, especially in dogs already prone to noise phobias.

 

 

Car Alarms

Car alarms are typically so loud that they can not only cause door frames and windows to rattle, but may rattle your pup into a fear-induced frenzy as well. But who can blame them? A rogue car alarm in the middle of the night is more than enough to rattle most people, and it's no different for our furry friends!

 

 

Jet Airplanes

If you live near an airport, you have likely noticed that your sweet pup behaves fearfully whenever a plane passes overhead. This fear might be especially true if they were raised or trained in a rural area and never conditioned to hearing this loud and scary noise. Make sure to provide at least a soft and comfortable nesting space to alleviate their fears.

 

 

Skateboards

Skateboards often frighten dogs because of the unpredictable noises as they pass over bumps and cracks in the road or sidewalk. A skateboard zooming past a dog may also skip right over the dog's instinctual phobia of loud noises, immediately initiating your pup's chase instinct instead, which may potentially cause the dog to run after the skateboarder for a good chase.

 

 

How to Calm a Dog with Noise Phobias

The most important thing for dog parents is recognizing your pup's aversions to loud noises early on and addressing them promptly. The fear will only intensify whenever a dog hears the scary noise. Eventually, the fear is sure to turn into a true phobia if left unaddressed. Here are some great ways to calm your dog when they are scared!

 

 

Creating a Sense of Safety

You can teach dogs to recognize a specific place in the home as a "safe space" to retreat when they are scared. Pet parents might also consider using sights and sounds—such as white noise, relaxing music, light-blocking shades—to block out as much sensory input from loud noises as possible.

 

 

Calming Noises

Certain noises have a calming effect on dogs and may help soothe or calm them when the noises around them are too loud or frightening. These sounds help mask more alarming noises, like fireworks or thunder, providing a comforting background that may reduce stress and anxiety in noise-sensitive dogs:

 

• Classical music can ease stress and anxiety in dogs that live in loud shelter environments.
• A speaker or sound machine playing the sounds of white noise or waterfalls can also help drown out thunder or fireworks.
• Pet parents can also find playlists or videos online specifically developed to produce calming effects in dogs.
• Some studies show that people speaking around dogs with anxiety should speak in low, slow, and calm tones.

 

 

Can I Give My Dog CBD?

Yes! Here at Holistapet, we carry delicious Calming Soft Chew treats for your dog to help them relax a little bit more. All of our products are 100% vegan, organic, and non-GMO, which can work wonders for your fearful pup. Try CBD to keep both you and your sweet pup healthy and internally balanced! Cannabidiol (CBD) interacts with your dog's endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body that all mammals have. CBD supports the ECS, which helps regulate functions like:

 

• Mood
• Appetite
• Digestion
• Sleep
• Memory

 

 

Final Thoughts - Sounds Dogs Hate

When it comes to canine noise phobias, we understand that things can get stressful. We all want our precious pups to be as happy as possible and hate seeing our little pals run around in fear trying to escape from a noise that we know isn't coming to get them. Thankfully, not all is lost. With calming playlists, the right training, and perhaps a CBD treat or two, you'll be able to protect your four-legged friend from their fear of loud noises. And who knows, your pup might even realize that they're actually very into Mozart during the next thunderstorm!