How do you calm a dog down during a thunderstorm?

1. Bring your dog indoors during a storm. …
2. Create a safe place. …
3. Consider crating your dog. …
4. Pull the shades. …
5. Don shirts, wraps or capes. …
6. Play soothing music. …
7. Use pheromones. …
8. Try desensitization and counterconditioning.

There’s something calming and romantic about a thunderstorm. Mother Nature is putting on a show, as evidenced by the rain falling softly on your roof, the lightning blazing across the sky, and of course, the sporadic deep rumbles and loud cracks of thunder.

That is all, unless you’re a dog, in which case everything mentioned above is utterly terrifying. If your dog becomes frightened or runs to the nearest cover whenever a storm rolls in, you’ll probably want to find a way to keep them calm and collected when the weather is bad.

The suggestions below have all been demonstrated to be effective in calming and reassuring fearful dogs, so feel free to use them the next time it looks like it might rain. We’re quite sure that your pooch will thank you.

The 8 Ways to Calm a Dog in a Thunderstorm:

When they feel threatened, dogs will naturally seek shelter, and they particularly like any location that resembles a large, dark cave. They frequently hide there because they can worm their way under your bed or into the back of your closet.

You can take advantage of this instinct by making a cozy, enclosed area where they can curl up and wait out the storm. The simplest and most obvious solution is a crate, but if your dog won’t enter, you can try to make a special area of your home as inviting as you can. For this purpose, pillow or mattress forts work particularly well, and the best part is that you can invite yourself inside to cuddle with your dog.

Clubs Offering:

When you’re a dog lover, it can be tough to watch your normally calm pup get stressed out during a thunderstorm. While some dogs show mild signs of stress, like licking their paws, other dogs can get so worked up during storms they may get destructive.

To better understand why some dogs hate thunderstorms, we talked to Trista Miller, a CPDT certified trainer, and an AKC CGC and Trick Dog Evaluator. Here’s what we learned.

Although experts and trainers may not be able to pinpoint all the reasons why dogs dislike thunderstorms, Miller thinks the loud noises play a significant role. She explains that because dogs’ hearing is so much stronger and more sensitive than ours, they frequently hear thunder well in advance of us.

She also believes it’s instinctual. She claims that being scared of loud noises and wanting to find shelter are survival instincts. “Thunder is a big part of it. However, I believe that canines are also susceptible to changes in air pressure and perhaps static electricity. Therefore, I believe that dogs may be able to catch some unheard of or unseen things that we are not. ”.

Create a Calming Atmosphere

This goes along with providing a safe haven and soft noise to drown out the thunder. At this point, your dog will need all the love and care you can give them, so take a seat next to them and pet or massage them gently. Nothing calms them more than a warm embrace.

You could also try using essential oils to create a calming scent in your house. However, there is little scientific support for these; instead, only anecdotal evidence is provided. Though they won’t hurt your dog (unless they are ingested, of course), it might be worth a try.

Your dog will undoubtedly be distracted by affection, but it’s not your only option. A game of tug-of-war or fetch, if your dog is still willing to participate, will help distract them from what is going on outside. Additionally, letting off extra energy will lessen their general anxiety.

Some dogs prefer to gnaw on things when they’re anxious. You could give them a chew toy or a frozen peanut butter-filled Kong. That enables them to focus all of their anxiety on chomping on something as opposed to pacing and trembling.

FAQ

What helps dogs with thunder anxiety?

1. Intervene Early. This tends to be true for ALL behavioral problems.
2. Reassure your Dog. …
3. Let Them Hide or Build Them a Bunker. …
4. Compete with the Noise. …
5. Counterconditioning. …
6. Body Wraps. …
7. Help Avoid Electrostatic Buildup. …
8. Natural Therapies.

Should I comfort my dog during thunder?

The best thing you can do for your dog during a thunderstorm is to allow them to go to their safe place and not punish them for any behavior, including destructiveness and whining. According to Miller, dogs find comfort and familiarity in places like their crate or a dark closet during thunderstorms.

Should I ignore my dog during a thunderstorm?

First, do not ignore your dog during storms. This advice used to be given because it was thought that acknowledging fear during storms would encourage more of it. As above, this is simply false. Ignoring a fearful, anxious dog deprives him of any consolation and emotional support you might be able to provide.

Why do dogs shake during thunderstorms?

Fear of thunderstorms is a common problem for many dogs. When someone is afraid of thunderstorms, they may hide, tremble, cry or whine, pace, drool, urinate or defecate, pant, or try to flee the house.