Help your dog stay calm with fireworks, thunder and the doorbell

Calm to sounds plays the noises your dog reacts to, starting almost too quiet to notice, and pairs each one with a treat. Six steps take the sound from the next room to real-life level, only as fast as your dog stays relaxed.

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Bokedex Calm to sounds: the Doorbell drill at step 1 of 6, “Next room, faint”, with a Play again button and Reacted or Calm buttons.

How it works

Three steps.

Pick the sound

Doorbell, knock, another dog, fireworks, thunder, the vacuum or a siren.
Play, then treat

Bokedex plays the sound at the step's level. Treat right after, every time, calm or not.
Tell it how it went

Tap Calm or Reacted. Calm sets move you on; reactions keep the drill where it is or step it back.

The six steps

1. Next room, faint: Phone in the next room at the lowest level.
2. Same room, faint: Phone across the room, still very quiet.
3. Soft, while resting: A little louder while your dog lies down.
4. Medium, phone closer: Medium level, phone a few steps away.
5. Twice in a row: Two sounds back to back, then treat.
6. Real life: Near real level while you move around.

Why it starts so quiet

The drill uses desensitization and counter-conditioning: the sound stays below the level that worries your dog, and it always predicts something good. Over many short sets, the sound starts to mean “treat is coming” instead of “danger”. Going louder too soon undoes the work, which is why each step waits for calm sets before moving on.

Signs to stop for today

Stop, let your dog settle, and start the next session a step lower.

Hiding, shaking, panting or pacing.
Refusing treats they usually love.
Staring at the phone or the door and not settling.
Barking or startling more with each play.

Before fireworks night or storm season

Start weeks ahead. A few short sessions a day add up.
Set up a quiet den: a covered crate or a corner with their bed, away from windows.
Close curtains and play steady background noise on the night.
For strong fear, ask your vet early. Some dogs need medication to cope, and that's fine.

What it can't do. Calm to sounds is for mild to moderate noise sensitivity. A dog who panics, hurts themselves or can't be calmed needs a vet or a veterinary behaviorist first.

Questions

Calm to sounds: common questions

How long does it take?

It depends on the dog and the sound. Expect weeks of short daily sessions rather than days, and go slower with sounds your dog finds hardest.

Which sounds are included?

Doorbell, knock, another dog barking, fireworks, thunder, the vacuum and a siren.

Should I treat even if my dog reacted?

Yes. The sound should always predict a treat. Mark the rep as Reacted so the drill knows to go easier.

What if my dog is terrified of fireworks?

Talk to your vet before the season starts. Severe noise fear often needs medication alongside training, and a veterinary behaviorist can build a plan.

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