Is your pup dogged by loud noises?

Imagine walking into a crowded bar. The music is turned up so loud the lyrics are barely discernible. Couples are shouting to get each other's attention. Glasses are clinking, dishes are dropping; there are so many sounds, you cannot hear yourself think.

Your dog probably felt the same way over the Fourth of July.

While some dogs are born with a sensitivity to noise, others can develop a problem after experiencing a particular jarring sound, such as fireworks, thunder or sirens.

Logan, a 4-year-old French bulldog, never had any issues with noise sensitivity, until this year's first major thunderstorm.

"All of a sudden, he went running down the hallway," said his owner, Jo Hakanson of Algonquin. "Now he seems to be scared of a lot more things."

This change in behavior is not uncommon, according to Julia Lane of South Elgin. Lane runs her own business, Spot On K9s, offering classes in positive dog training and agility instruction, and has been working with rescue dogs for years.

She also knows a thing or two about facing scary situations. Along with her husband and pack of five dogs, Lane lost everything in Hurricane Katrina while living in New Orleans. The family relocated to the Chicago area after the storm.

Most of her dogs, like her 4-year-old dalmatian Jolie, were adopted from shelters and experienced trauma in their own lives. Jolie had been abandoned by her original owners and left for days without food or water. When Lane brought the young puppy into her home, Jolie cowered in fear around people and always tried to hide.

After receiving much love and guidance, the dalmatian now performs in competitive agility shows and has a sweet, friendly demeanor.

Any problem can be overcome with the correct approach, Lane believes.

There are many signs to indicate when a dog is agitated. Cocked-back ears or a slightly foaming mouth are physical cues, while hiding or restless pacing are behavioral hints.

"Dogs may not speak, but their body language clearly tells what they're feeling," Lane said.

Once you've recognized the clues, there are several techniques to help ease your dog's sensitivity.

The most effective strategy, Lane believes, is desensitization. Introduce your dog to potentially frightening sounds in a nonthreatening way.

Try filling a plastic container with coins and encourage your dog to knock it over. When it falls, reward your dog with a treat, showing that the sound is not threatening. You can try this on a variety of surfaces, starting somewhere soft like grass or carpet, and gradually build your way up to harder, louder flooring.

You can also play common disturbing noises from a sound CD or from clips from YouTube. Because the sound would not be as loud coming from speakers as it would in its true occurrence, it is a nice, easy transition.

Keep the training light and playful. Anytime your dog tolerates a new sound, reward with his favorite treat.

In addition to games, you can try aromatherapy. A lavender scented spray creates a calming effect.

For a severely noise-sensitive dog, purchasing a custom-fit anxiety wrap can help. The wrap reduces stress by pressing on key acupressure points.

If nothing seems to help, a trip to the vet may be in order. A doctor will be able to determine if hearing difficulties are an issue.

The important thing is to take it slowly and not to reinforce your dog's phobia with your own input.

"Dogs mirror our reactions, so if you validate their fear, they will continue to react in that manner," instructs Lane.

Instead of coddling, give your pup guidance and the tools he needs to adapt to scary situations.

All of this extra time spent with your beloved pet will not only help build their confidence, but the relationship with you as well.

"Strengthening your bond is something you can work on for a lifetime," said Lane. "No one knows your dog better than you."

For more information on Julia Lane's training, visit www.spotonk9s.com. To learn more on anxiety wraps, visit www.anxietywrap.com. Additional reading materials are available at www.dogwise.com.

Tips for positive training

Be patient. Phobias are not erased overnight

Be playful. If you make the scary noises fun, your dog will have fun too

Be rewarding. Give your dog what he likes best, whether that be food or a favorite toy

Be prepared. If you know you will be encountering a loud sound, be ready to help your dog cope.

Source: Spot On K9s