My dog shakes when my phone alerts sound. Should I keep the ringer on for practice?

Do not play a loud tone repeatedly to make them get used to it. If the sound fear is severe, worsening or spreading, speak with your vet about an individual plan.

Notice whether the dog reacts to a particular tone, vibration against furniture, or your movement to pick up the phone. A quiet phone with no alert can be part of an ordinary day. Later, a qualified reward-based professional may help you introduce a very low, controlled version of the actual trigger while the dog stays comfortable. The noise-fear guide offers broader sound-sensitivity context, not proof that a phone alert is a thunder phobia.

Some alerts serve safety or accessibility needs, so do not disable a critical notification without another reliable way to receive it. If a tone cannot be changed, plan distance and a safe retreat rather than putting the dog beside the device. No training exercise should interfere with an essential alarm.

Today, reduce avoidable alert sounds and write down which cue starts the reaction. Give your dog relief now, then plan gentle help outside the frightening moment.

Sources: Dogs Trust on managing fear of noises, VCA on signs and treatment of sound fear, VCA on desensitization below the fear threshold.