Sound Sensitivities in Dogs

29 January 2026

Sound sensitivities can be distressing for us to watch.

 

What could this look like

ο»Ώ

A dog may react to sounds and freeze or try and run. They man  scan the environment even if there is no sound in a hyper vigilant way. You may see body language signs such as:


•      Raised hackles

•      Tail tucked under their body

•      Showing the whites of their eyes

•      Refusing to move

•      Not eating

 

Why may a dog be more sensitive to sounds?


Dogs can start to generalise sounds that they hear inside as well as outside.


Often dogs who are sound sensitive are experiencing musculoskeletal pain as they hear the sound – they get startled – they tense up – this can exacerbate underlying pain. (Lopes Fagundes Ana Luisa , Hewison Lynn , McPeake Kevin J. , Zulch Helen , Mills Daniel Simon , Noise Sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Volume 5 - 2018)


Pain

 

Body language that can suggest pain of pain can include pacing, head bobbing, crabbing movement (where legs can move to one side) bunny hopping (when both legs move together). -Denenberg, Sagi, Small Animal Veterinary Psychiatry, : CABI Publishing .


Taking a video and slowing it down to show your vet can be helpful.


If possible you could hire a fenced in field for off lead exercise if you are nervous your dog will run off. A long lead will allow them to sniff and have some freedom without the risk of them running away.


What you can do at home if your dog is nervous of sounds


The below is management advice in terms of fireworks.


Set up a den for your dog in the area in your home that has the smallest window (quite often the bathroom)


White noise may drown out some of the noise.


Have enrichment toys such as stuffed kongs with or puzzle feeders or a big tasty meaty chew to help take their mind off the fireworks.


Shut the blinds and curtains.


Make sure there are lots of blankets for them to burrow in and under – some dogs will like these in a crate.

Living with a reactive dog: how to look after yourself

by Lisa Sinnott • 21 April 2026
Having a dog who shows reactive behaviour can leave you feeling tired, on edge and emotionally exhausting experience at times. It is really important to look after yourself. I hope these ideas help you.

Dogs who are nervous of sounds

by Lisa Sinnott • 18 April 2026
Helping dogs who are nervous of sounds It can be really tricky and feel hard when your dog is feeling nervous of sounds that you do not have control over. They may freeze, startle, growl, try to flee, shake, drool or more. Here are some considerations if your dog is nervous of sounds. As well as the noise, there is the physical vibration too.

Fight behaviours

by Lisa Sinnott • 15 April 2026
Have you ever wondered that even if scared why a dog will run towards something? If a dog is barking and lunging at something that they are scared of then surely they would avoid it... right? This isn't always the case!

Emotions and the vet clinic

by Lisa Sinnott • 6 April 2026
Why Emotional Wellbeing Matters at the Vet When it comes to veterinary care, the focus is often on physical health—but a pet’s emotional experiences important If stress and fear are overlooked, it can shape how an animal feels about vet visits in the future. Negative experiences may lead to increased anxiety, defensive behaviour, or even the need for sedation during routine examinations. By considering how our pets feel, we can help create calmer, safer, and more positive veterinary visits. Chat to your vets about how they can support your dog.

Dog play what's ok?

by Lisa Sinnott • 1 April 2026
Dog play what’s okay? You may have heard that you can be over zealous and you should leave dogs to work it out themselves but this is poor advice. Sometimes play can turn into something else so it’s important to be mindful of play signals. When a dog goes rushing over to another head on it can feel threatening – even if the intention is play. It can be hard to assess intention as the dog is likely to be moving very fast.

Children and Dogs

by Lisa Sinnott • 4 March 2026
I know of many family members who have small children and dog and they live in harmony.

Mounting and humping behaviour

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Some dogs do it for hormonal reasons others due to behavioural. Reasons behind humping can include hormones, anxiety, tension attention seeking, frustration, eliciting play or displacement behaviour when stressed. Filling out the diary can help pinpoint more triggers and look at what is happening.

Children and dogs - harmony at home

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Children and Dogs: A Guide to Safe and Happy Relationships Having a dog in your family is exciting and fun, but it’s important to teach children how to interact safely and kindly with their furry friend. Puppies and young dogs are still learning, and we need to help them grow into happy, well-behaved companions.

Pica and dogs - eating non- food items

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Understanding Pica in Dogs: Why They Eat Non-Food Items

Dangers outside and in the garden

by Lisa Sinnott • 27 January 2026
Many trees can be dangerous if a dog eats them which many dogs can do.