Calming your Dog During Thunderstorms

For some dogs, the mere sounds of a thunderstorm, like the rain, the wind, and the actual thunder itself can trigger anxiety. For others, it’s the sign of dark clouds rolling in, the static electricity, the scent of rain, and the barometric drop in pressure. Whatever the trigger is for your dog, there are several different ways to approach the problem and find an effective solution that will help keep your dog calm during a storm. For dog behavior training tips and tricks, visit Speak Dog!™ and let Steve Lankfer help you through some of the most common but difficult canine habits, like excessive barking or pulling on the leash. Learn how to speak dog today!

Why Your Dog Panics

Dogs are smart, and their ability to detect an approaching storm can send them into panic mode. Dogs can sense the drop in barometric pressure, or the atmospheric pressure, that occurs when a thunderstorm is forming. Some dogs, if not most, also have noise aversion, where they are uncomfortable and even phobic about loud sounds, making it a no-brainer why they wouldn’t like the clash of thunder. Another reason may be because larger dogs, or dogs with double coats, that are able to build up static electricity easier than smaller dogs with thinner coats may be more sensitive to the static buildup in the air. If a dog that is already nervous about the approaching storm gets shocked when he puts his nose to a metal appliance or object, it will escalate his fear to a full-on phobia.   

Signs That Your Dog Is Anxious

Dogs have many ways of communicating with us, letting us know that they are uncomfortable in a situation. There are many indicators that your dog will give you, letting you know that they are anxious about the storm. If your dog is anxious, they will let you know by panting, licking their lips, yawning, letting their tail drop, and flattening their ears back. If your dog is in the extreme stages of panic and anxiety, then they may act out, like chewing holes in belongings and even digging through walls. 

Soothing An Anxious Dog

Because there may be several reasons why your dog is uncomfortable with a storm, it is important to use a combination of tactics to ensure your dog feels safe and calm during a storm. One of the easiest tactics is bringing your dog indoors during a storm. While this may sound obvious, dogs that are anxious will need literal shelter from the storm in order to feel safe. This brings us to our next step, which is creating a safe place indoors. Find a closet or room without windows and fill the space with a comfortable dog bed, plenty of toys, and some treats. Your dog will not only be preoccupied and entertained but safe and happy.  

Another thing that will help in soothing your anxious pup is closing the blinds or curtain so your dog isn’t exposed to the flash of lightning, which can be unsettling for dogs. In some cases, the drapes and shades can even muffle out some of the noise. Other ways you can muffle the noise of the storm is to play soothing music or even turn on the radio or television. This may help in canceling out the noise of the storm, which will ease your dog’s tension. 

Practice Desensitization

You can desensitize your dog to the sound of thunderstorms by playing thunderstorm sounds at a very low volume setting as to not upset your pup. Offer your dog high-value treats and positive interactions to countercondition their response. Over the span of days or even weeks, gradually increase the volume of the recording, making sure to pair this with a treat or a toy. This will help your pup learn that there is nothing to be afraid of when they hear a clap of thunder. This method, however, may only work with dogs who have noise anxiety, and associate their fears with sounds of a storm. Different methods may have to be used to countercondition other fears. 

When it comes to training your dog, being their leader and guiding them through difficult situations is one of the best ways to teach them good behavior. For more dog behavior training tips, join Speak Dog! and let Steve Lankfer guide you through tapping into your dog’s natural instinct and becoming their leader. Want to connect with other down owners? Join Steve’s Dog Park and talk to other dog owners who are also on the journey of training their dog. We look forward to meeting you and your pup.