Every Spring and Summer, as the skies would darken overhead, our little senior Chihuahua, Homer, would pant and pace around the house with his tail tucked. When the first crash of thunder hit, he would bolt into the bedroom and curl up tightly underneath the bed, where he remained, panting and trembling until the storm had long passed. Some dogs panic even more than Homer did ~ digging through doors, jumping fences or breaking out of crates. Does your dog behave this way? If so, don’t worry ~ there’s a lot you can do to make your dog more comfortable during storm season.
Who's at Risk? ~ Any dog can develop a fear of thunderstorms, but herding breeds and high-strung breeds seem more susceptible to developing noise phobias in general. Another risk factor is age. As they reach their golden years, some dogs develop a fear of storms.
Will it Get Worse? ~ Dogs who are scared of thunder may also panic about rain, wind, darkening skies and flashes of lightning. As your thunderphobic dog’s fear starts to incorporate these additional sights and sounds, he may become more distressed with every passing season. It’s a good idea to start working with your dog as soon as you notice fearful behavior.
Visit Your Vet ~ If your adult dog has suddenly become afraid of storms, please start with a check-up with your veterinarian. A sick dog may become more sensitive to sounds, and no amount of behavior modification will help if your dog’s fear is medically based.
Simple Solutions ~ Try the following strategies to reduce your dog’s fear during storms. For dogs with mild thunderstorm phobia, these tricks may get rid of the problem entirely:
~ NEVER leave your dog outside in a storm. Let your dog take refuge inside. Storms aren’t as loud and scary with four walls around you! Bringing your dog into your house also ensures that he won’t try to escape from the yard.
~ Having some human company often calms panicked dogs. If you are calm, quiet touch brings him comfort. Or, if he comes to you for security, it’s perfectly fine to pet him, however go easy on the reassurance, as this may imprint the fearful behavior.
~ Try turning on some calming music, a TV or radio, or a fan to muffle storm noises. Shutting the drapes may help if lightning also frightens your dog.
~ Distractions may help, too. See if your dog will eat from a food-filled toy, such as a stuffed Kong, scatter treats in the house for him to find, or try playing tug and fetch with his favorite toy.
Better Living ~ If your dog’s quality of life is seriously impaired by thunderstorms, consider speaking with a vet or a veterinary behaviorist about anti-anxiety medication. Medication can enhance the effectiveness of other efforts to help your dog cope with his fear. For some dogs, medication is the only treatment that relieves their suffering.
Behavior Modification ~ A technique called desensitization and counter-conditioning can also help reduce your pet’s fear. This technique involves gradually increasing the volume of an audio recording of a thunderstorm to help your dog become accustomed to it, while at the same time, associating the sound of thunder with good things, like treats and toys.
Other Things to Try ~ There are a number of products on the market that may help your dog remain calm during storms:
~ Close-fitting body wraps, such as a t-shirt, the Anxiety Wrap® or the Thundershirt®
~ Reducing the sound of storms by using Mutt Muffs® (noise-reducing headphones for dogs)
~ Massage techniques such as Tellington Touch®
~ Herbal remedies, or calming treats (always check with your vet first)
~ Giving your dog plenty of aerobic exercise on days when storms are predicted
Hang in There! ~ Homer was never thrilled with storms, but he did become a lot calmer as we implemented some calming remedies. Your dog can find comfort, too. It may take some time and effort on your part, but don’t give up! Using the suggestions above, you can help your best buddy overcome his fear of rainy days. If the problem doesn’t get better, consider hiring an experienced trainer or behaviorist to help you.
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In loving memory of our precious Homer, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 9/16/13 ♥
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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to
celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and
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