How to Help Your Dog with Noise Anxiety: My Approach

Noise aversions are surprisingly common in dogs, affecting about one-third of the canine population. If you’ve noticed your dog reacting anxiously to loud sounds, you’re not alone. It’s important to address this early on and prevent it from escalating into more serious issues like separation anxiety.

Understanding Noise Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs, especially those with sensitive temperaments, can develop a fear of noises that may seem ordinary to us. This can range from thunder, fireworks, to even household appliances like vacuums. Once your dog associates a noise with fear, the anxiety can build up over time, which can lead to behavioral problems such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or even more severe anxiety disorders.

What You Can Do to Help Your Dog

The key to managing noise anxiety is intervention before it worsens. By helping your dog stay calm during noisy situations, you’re preventing further anxiety buildup and, potentially, separation anxiety.

Calming Ingredients That Work

In my experience, certain ingredients have proven to be beneficial in calming anxious dogs. These include:

• L-theanine: Known for its calming effects, it helps reduce stress and anxiety in dogs.

• Melatonin: Often used for its sleep-inducing qualities, melatonin can also help relax dogs during stressful situations.

• Valerian root: This herb has natural sedative properties, which can help soothe your dog’s nerves.

 

Introducing Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews

I’ve seen fantastic results with my own dog, Tula, a poodle who’s prone to anxiety. That’s why I’m excited to introduce Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews, which include all these beneficial ingredients.

Tula has responded really well to these calming chews, and I believe they could work wonders for your dog too. Whether it’s a fear of thunderstorms or just general anxiety, these chews could be the support your dog needs.

Noise anxiety doesn’t have to control your dog’s life. By taking proactive steps and providing calming solutions like Dr. Jones’ COMPLETE Canine Calming Chews, you can help your dog find peace. If you have an anxious dog, try these calming chews and see the difference they can make.

Helping Your Dog Overcome Noise Anxiety: Tips from Dr. Andrew Jones

Noise anxiety, especially fear of thunderstorms and fireworks, is a common issue for dogs. It’s estimated that one in three dogs suffers from noise anxiety to some degree. Whether it’s a single traumatic experience or ongoing exposure to loud noises, the fear can lead to reactions ranging from mild distress to severe phobic behaviors.

As a pet parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your dog become terrified by something as ordinary as a thunderstorm. Some dogs may tremble, hide, or even destroy furniture during storms. Others may pace, pant excessively, or bark nonstop. In the worst cases, dogs can become so frantic that they attempt to escape or hurt themselves.

Why Do Dogs Experience Noise Anxiety?

Dogs have incredibly sensitive hearing—about ten times better than humans. This makes the thunderous crack of a storm or the loud bangs of fireworks even more overwhelming for them. Sometimes, past negative experiences with loud noises can contribute to anxiety. For example, my dog Max once had his tail caught in a door during a storm, and ever since, he’s been terrified of thunderstorms.

Prevention Is Key

The best way to manage noise anxiety is to prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place. Early socialization—especially between 3 and 12 weeks of age—is crucial. Exposing puppies to various noises during this period and reinforcing positive experiences with treats can help them grow up more confident. However, if a dog has already developed a fear of loud noises, early socialization won’t always help, so it’s important to avoid trauma-triggering experiences.

Also, never use punishment to correct fear-based behaviors. This usually makes the anxiety worse, not better. The goal is to teach your dog that loud noises aren’t something to fear, and that takes time, patience, and the right approach.

Treating Noise Anxiety

When it comes to treating noise anxiety, I recommend a combination of training and calming techniques. It’s important not to reinforce fearful behavior by overindulging your dog during anxious moments. Instead, act calm and maintain a routine, which helps your dog feel more secure.

The next time your dog shows signs of nervousness, try distracting them with a favorite toy or a tasty treat. This helps them associate the noise with something positive. If your dog responds calmly, offer praise, reinforcing that calm behavior.

Creating a Safe Space

Many dogs feel more secure in a small, confined space like a crate. A crate can mimic a den and give your dog a safe place to retreat during a storm. If you’re using a crate, make sure to introduce it before the storm hits, and stay nearby in case your dog becomes anxious and needs your reassurance.

 

Natural Solutions for Noise Anxiety

There are several natural remedies that can help calm an anxious dog during noisy events:

Acupressure

Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific acupuncture points to relieve stress and anxiety. For dogs, I’ve found the Yin Tang point particularly helpful. It’s located between the eyes at the bridge of the nose. Gently press this point for about 60 seconds when your dog is nervous. It works wonders for my dog Tula and has helped her with anxiety.

Thundershirt

A Thundershirt is a product that wraps tightly around your dog’s chest, providing gentle pressure to help calm them during anxiety-inducing events. The constant pressure can have a soothing effect on the nervous system. You can even create your own Thundershirt by wrapping a snug shirt around your dog’s chest and back.

Pheromone Products

Adaptil is a product that contains synthetic dog appeasing pheromones (DAP). These pheromones are believed to help comfort and reassure dogs, especially during stressful events like thunderstorms. One study found that using DAP in combination with desensitization training (like sound CDs) helped dogs handle their fear of fireworks.

Magnesium

Magnesium plays a key role in reducing anxiety and improving sleep. It helps regulate GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms the brain. Many dogs benefit from magnesium supplements, especially when combined with other calming strategies. For dogs, I recommend 2-5 mg of magnesium per pound of body weight, twice a day as needed.

Music Therapy

Classical music has been shown to soothe dogs during stressful situations. Studies have found that playing calming music can reduce anxiety and help mask loud, scary noises. Next time your dog is anxious, try playing some Mozart and see if it helps.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD oil has natural anti-anxiety properties, making it a great option for dogs with noise anxiety. I recommend using 3-6 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight, every 4-6 hours. You can find CBD products specifically formulated for pets, such as Dr. Jones’ Ultimate CBD for Dogs and Cats.

Herbal Remedies

Several herbs can also help calm an anxious dog:

• Valerian Root: This herb acts on the brain’s neuroreceptors and can decrease anxiety over time. The dosage is 50 mg per pound of body weight for dried valerian or 1 drop per pound of body weight for valerian extract, given twice daily.

• L-Theanine: An amino acid from green tea that works well over the long term. The recommended dose for dogs is 50-100 mg per 10 pounds of body weight, given once or twice daily.

• Melatonin: The sleep hormone can be very effective for dogs with anxiety. A typical dose is 2 mg per 20 pounds, up to 6 mg twice daily, given an hour before the anxiety-inducing event.

 

 

My Final Thoughts on Noise Anxiety

The key to managing noise anxiety in dogs is minimizing exposure to loud noises while helping them associate these sounds with positive experiences. Thundershirts, classical music, and calming supplements can all be effective tools in managing your dog’s fear. I’ve seen many dogs respond well to these techniques, and I recommend trying a combination of them to see what works best for your furry friend.

For long-term success, I also suggest supplementing with calming products that include ingredients like valerian, chamomile, L-theanine, and melatonin. And remember, every dog is different. It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of techniques, but with patience and consistency, you can help your dog overcome their fear of loud noises.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Dr. Jones’ Complete Canine Calming Chews—they’re packed with everything your dog needs to feel calm and safe during those noisy moments!