Noise Sensitive Dogs: Recognize early signs of stress and take action

With fireworks and summer thunderstorms more frequent every day, it's important for dog parents to know how to protect their noise-sensitive dogs by recognizing the early signs of stress and taking appropriate action on their behalf.  

Fireworks are a unique source of anxiety and trauma for dogs because fireworks noises are a sudden and unpredictable combination of sounds that the dog can't relate to a context. Thunderstorms, however, have a sensory context that the dog recognizes and can be prepared to escape from.

Noise-sensitive dogs feel emotions ranging from discomfort to panic when noises in the environment are loud, unfamiliar, and unpredictable. Their fear increases when noise causes pain.  

According to recent studies, up to 50 percent of owners report noise anxiety as their dog's most concerning behavior problem. And yet, it's estimated that most noise anxiety isn't reported because owners either don't notice it, don't take it seriously, or don't seek help for their dogs.

But it IS serious and impacts the welfare and quality of life for too many dogs.  Without proper help, outcomes for noise-anxious dogs can be a shorter life span, increased chronic health problems, abandonment, and euthanasia.

 How does it happen that noise anxiety is so widespread among pet dogs but goes unnoticed? 

“We know that there are a lot of dogs that have noise sensitivities, but we underestimate their fearfulness to noise we consider normal because many dog owners can’t read body language,” said lead author Emma Grigg, a research associate and lecturer at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

"Common Household Noises May Be Stressing Your Dog" UC Davis Veterinary Medicine

How to recognize early signs of stress.

Dogs reveal their feelings with their bodies. Their signals are precise and clear but humans often miss canine signals or misunderstand their meaning. 

What you can do to be more attuned to what your dog is trying to tell you:

• Notice what your dog's relaxed body looks like.  How do they hold their tail? Are ears forward or laid back? For long-eared dogs note any muscle tension at the base of the ears. Notice eyes and mouth. What is "normal" for your dog? What does it look like when the dogs' feelings change?
• Anxious dogs will put their ears back to show fear.   There will be tense muscles and stiffness in their bodies. They will pant and perhaps salivate.  They will look away or turn their head and body away.  They may tuck their tail, cringe, tremble, and look for an escape. 
• More subtle signs of stress are a wrinkled brow, squinting, lifting a paw, licking lips, and flicking the tongue.

Help your dog by taking appropriate action.

Provide a Safe Haven where your dog can escape when they feel threatened. A  dog in distress may need your presence to feel comforted and secure.  Be prepared to stay with your dog until the noise passes. Provide reassurance through your voice and, if the dog consents, through gentle touch. White noise and soothing music may also help.

A dog's safe space can be a crate, however, keep the door open so the dog is free to come and go. Freedom of movement is tied to feeling safe  Containment will cause an anxious animal to panic.

Dogs in distress do not eat, so offering food treats has a limited effect on calming their anxiety. Furthermore, the go-to practices of counter-conditioning and desensitization can expose dogs to trauma triggers before they have developed the capacity to cope in a regulated way.

To develop the capacity for self-regulation, dogs must first experience a felt sense of safety. Your first step toward that goal is to manage the dog's environment. Acknowledge and validate the truth of the dog's fear.  Adjust the environment to minimize the triggering noise as much as possible.  Close and cover windows. Provide layers of bedding and let dogs choose a hiding place without disturbing them.

Speak to your veterinarian about medication.

Medications for noise anxiety have been shown to be safe and effective in helping dogs develop the capacity to cope.  Sileo is a frequently used medication and is FDA-approved for canine noise aversion.

Noise aversion can be associated with pain or other medical problems, so consult with your veterinarian to rule out the possibility.

 A Practical Checklist for caregivers of noise-sensitive dogs.

✔️Health Check.  Rule out unrecognized pain and discuss appropriate medication

✔️Observe behavior patterns.  Note unusual changes and signs of stress

✔️Define your dog's trigger noises.  Acknowledge your dog's felt emotional response to the noises that trigger anxiety and respond appropriately.

✔️Prepare a Safe Haven. Insulate the area from triggering noise as much as possible and provide comfort and reassurance.

✔️Manage the environment.  There is no cure for noise anxiety. Dogs need protection from the trauma triggers, not training.