Noise phobias in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Noise phobias are when certain noises scare a dog.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Noise phobias are common because dogs can hear much more than people, so even quiet noises can be scary.^[1] They can affect a dog's behaviour, including fear, hiding and destructive behaviour.^[1]

Signs

Looking scared, including showing the whites of their eyes or tucking their tail away
Tremors
Cowering down or freezing on the spot
Running from noises
Hiding
Becoming uncharacteristically jumpy
Excessive barking or growling
Attention seeking
Destructive behaviour such as digging and chewing
Toileting in the house

Causes and risk factors

A previous bad experience
Lack of exposure to noises as a puppy
Pain

How vets treat it

Training
Diet change
Medication

What the experts say

“Overview. Dogs are very sensitive to noise and can hear much more than us. As a result, even quiet noises can be scary for them, and noise phobias are common. If your dog is showing signs of being scared of certain noises, contact your vet for advice.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can noise phobias cause in dogs?

A dog may look scared, tremble, cower or freeze, run from noises, hide, become jumpy, bark or growl excessively, seek attention, damage things or toilet in the house.

What can be linked with noise phobias?

A previous bad experience, lack of exposure to noises as a puppy and pain can be linked with noise phobias.^[1]

Can dogs with noise phobias improve?

With the right help, time and patience, most dogs with noise phobias can improve significantly; a professional is likely to recommend training.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages