If your dog panics during thunderstorms or fireworks, you’re not alone, and you didn’t cause it. Large owner surveys suggest that roughly one in four dogs shows fear responses to loud noises. Fireworks top the list, with thunder and gunshots not far behind. The short version: noise anxiety is common, it cuts across breeds, and it often rides along with other worries like separation issues. (ScienceDirect)

What “noise anxiety” looks like in real life

Owners describe all kinds of reactions: pacing, hiding in a bathtub or closet, shaking, drooling, vocalizing, or trying to escape. Some dogs glue themselves to you. Others act normal until a low rumble rolls through and then—switch flipped. My dog, Juniper, starts panting, drooling and whining, and then roams the house scratching at doors, about 20 minutes before the storm hits.

Thunderstorms in particular are tough because they aren’t just sound. They’re a bundle of cues like barometric pressure shifts, wind, rain on windows, flashes, deep rumbles you can’t hear, even possible static buildup. Things that tell your dog “uh oh” before you hear the first thunder. That’s why some dogs get anxious long before the storm arrives. (Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies). My dog certainly does.

How common is this, really?

Two well-cited papers give a good sense of scale. One looked at more than 5,000 dogs across 17 breeds and found about 23% showed fear of noises overall, with fireworks most frequently reported and thunder not far behind. Another large study found similar patterns and noted that if a dog reacts to one type of loud noise, reactions to others (like thunder and gunshots) often co-occur. Different methods produce different exact numbers, but the headline holds: this is a widespread issue. (ScienceDirect)

You’ll also see papers and reviews cite ranges that are higher, into the 30–50% band for fireworks specifically, depending on how questions are asked and which dogs are sampled. Point is, if your dog struggles, you’re in big company. (PMC)

Does it get worse with age?

Short answer: it can. Several analyses suggest noise sensitivities often intensify over time, especially if nothing is done to change the dog’s emotional response. There’s also nuance: brand-new thunder fear appearing late in life is less typical and can flag pain or another medical issue, which is worth a vet visit. Either way, early, kind interventions help (more on that here). (PMC, ScienceDirect)

Breed, sex, and other “risk factors”

Some breeds show higher odds in population surveys, and there are effects of sex/neuter status in certain datasets. But don’t overthink it: any breed can be affected. What matters more is your individual dog’s learning history, environment, and whether they’ve had support – things like training, safe spaces, or medication when appropriate, during scary events. (ScienceDirect)

Why thunderstorms trigger such big feelings

Fireworks are a loud, sudden sensory blast. Thunderstorms are a sequence. The sky darkens, wind kicks up, pressure drops, rain starts, then the thunder arrives. Dogs are quick pattern learners; once a dog links those early signals to feeling terrified, the body gears up sooner each time. That’s what happened with my dog; it got worse every storm. That’s classical conditioning doing what it does best. The flip side is encouraging: gentle desensitization and counter-conditioning can teach the brain a new pattern. (Some tips on how to do that safely and realistically here) (Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies)

You didn’t cause this

It’s tempting to replay that one storm years ago and blame yourself: “If only I’d stayed calmer,” or “I coddled her and made it worse.” There’s no evidence that comforting your dog creates the fear. Fear is an emotion, not a misbehavior. You can’t reinforce panic with empathy. What you can do is make a plan: training, environment tweaks, and, for some dogs, medication on high-risk nights.

It’s not just the Fourth of July

We all brace for fireworks, but nighttime thunderstorms and heavy rain can hit any week in warm months. For many dogs, those are the bigger problem simply because they’re more frequent and they can arrive after bedtime. That’s why Dog Thunder exists: a quick evening heads-up if thunder, lightning, or heavy rain are likely, so you can act before the first thunder hits at 2am. Dog Thunder watches the weather for you, so you don’t have to remember to check. And the app only alerts you only when needed, so you can get ready

What “get ready” looks like (starter kit)

Here are some basic techniques and options for dog owners whose dogs are fearful in thunderstorms:

• Make a safe room. Interior room or closet, comfy bed, water, a fan or white noise, and something to lick or chew. My dog likes a small bathroom on our first floor.
• Mask the sound. A box fan or air purifier is your friend.
• Try a pressure wrap. Some dogs relax with gentle, constant pressure. ThunderShirt is one popular option; it didn’t help Juniper, but plenty of owners report success.
• Pheromones and supplements. Melatonin chews are low-risk adjuncts for some dogs (talk to your vet about timing and interactions).
• Train the emotion. Daytime sessions with very low-volume thunder recordings paired with food/play build resilience over weeks; progress slowly and keep it easy.
• Have a meds plan ready if your dog hits panic levels. Event-based medications work best when given before fear spikes; this is a veterinarian conversation.

When to call your vet

• New storm fear in a senior dog
• Self-injury, escape attempts, or severe shut-down
• You’ve tried management and training and your dog is still miserable

There are effective, humane treatments. You don’t have to white-knuckle through storm season, especially when you know storms are a risk with Dog Thunder.

Key takeaways

• Noise anxiety is common—about a quarter of dogs show it in surveys; fireworks lead, but thunder is a major trigger and often co-occurs. (ScienceDirect)
• It can worsen with age without support; brand-new late-life fear deserves a vet check. (ScienceDirect)
• Thunderstorms are multi-sensory, which is why some dogs get anxious before the noise starts. (Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies)
• Training and management, and meds when appropriate, make a real difference. Start early, keep it kind, and be consistent. (PMC)

References & further reading

• Storengen & Lingaas (2015): large survey across 17 breeds; ~23% noise-fearful; fireworks highest, thunder common. (ScienceDirect)
• Blackwell et al. (2013): prevalence, risk factors, and co-occurrence of fireworks/thunder/gunshots reactions. (ScienceDirect)
• Riemer (2019/2023): severity/progression data and a practical review of prevention/treatment. (PMC)

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog shows severe distress, talk to your veterinarian.