Noise phobia in dogs causes severe acute suffering during triggering events and, if untreated, progresses to generalised anxiety that chronically impairs welfare.
Noise phobia welfare is a chronic problem with acute manifestations. The terror response during fireworks or thunder is genuine acute suffering. Untreated phobia worsens with each exposure, and anticipatory anxiety extends the welfare impact well beyond the noise event. Early intervention combining behavioural modification with appropriate medication during high-risk periods is more effective and more humane than allowing phobia to escalate.