How do you train a dog with noise sensitivity?

To begin with, get your dog settled in the room and play the sounds they are least scared of at the lowest possible volume. Increase the volume very, very slowly, until you see the first signs that your dog is reacting to the noise. A reaction might be small, such as twitching their ears. Once your dog starts to react, leave the sounds at that volume for a few minutes to let them get used to it. If at any point your dog is scared or stressed by the noise, remain calm and stop playing the sounds immediately. Play the sounds at this low level for 5-10 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Once your dog has stopped responding to the noise, you can turn the volume up slightly, until they begin to respond again. Again, if your dog shows any signs of stress, stop the sounds and start at a lower volume the next day. Keep playing the sounds in this way daily, over a period of weeks, until your dog no longer reacts to the sounds, even at a higher volume. Building a positive association between your dog and loud noises can start once your dog’s been desensitised to the sounds, by preparing your dog’s food or getting out one of their toys and playing the sounds at a very low volume again. As soon as you hear the sounds give your dog their food or start to play with them. Once your dog has finished eating or playing, turn off the sounds straight away, so that they start to associate the sound with something positive happening.

Dogs that are safely and gradually exposed to many different experiences, including loud noises, during their essential socialisation period of three to 16 weeks of age, are often able to cope more effectively with loud, frightening sounds like fireworks or loud engine noises. Sound therapy can help your dog feel more comfortable with new and scary life noises. Sounds Scary can help your dog deal with distressing noises such as fireworks. Sounds Scary is not only backed by years of clinical experience, but it is also scientifically proven to be safe, effective and easy to use. Sounds Sociable is designed to help puppies adapt to their new life as a pet. It includes a collection of sounds that every puppy should be familiar with, including traffic, domestic noises, children, and fireworks. Each sound resource is paired with a corresponding how-to guide and contains a collection of specifically recorded noises that all puppies need to get used to, including domestic noises, traffic, fireworks and thunder. Our sound-based treatment programmes were developed by two veterinary surgeons specialising in the field of pet behavioural therapy. All our resources have been scientifically researched and come with a full set of instructions, which makes them easy to use and extremely effective.