Ideas to Calm Your Dog During a Thunderstorm

Many dogs are afraid of thunderstorms, and they may exhibit symptoms such as pacing, panting and agression that can lead to serious injuries or even death. Dr. Barbara Simpson, a specialist in thunderstorm phobia, explains that animals' reactions to weather are connected to changes in air pressure and low-frequency sounds preceding a storm, as well as the wind, thunder and lightning itself.

  1. Distraction

    • During a thunderstorm, a dog may feel great anxiety, but taking its mind of the weather could help calm it down. Animals Plus owner Susan Sharpe recommends distracting the dog during a storm by walking it around the inside of the house on a leash and asking it to perform tasks or encouraging it to partake in an activity it enjoys. Certified dog trainer Jolanta Benal says that playing a game with a dog when a thunderstorm is on its way can help the pet associate storms with fun, reducing its fear.

    Find a Safe Place

    • Sharpe says that some dogs may be able to find places in their houses where they feel safe during a thunderstorm. If that place is acceptable to the owners -- for example a dog may hide in a bathroom -- then that may be enough for a dog to stay calm until the storm passes. A crate can be a good place for dogs to hide, and Miami-based veterinarian Patty Khuly recommends getting puppies used to crates from a young age so they have somewhere to go during storms. Adding a device that makes noise to the environment, such as a television, can distract the dog from the sounds of thunder.

    Desensitization and Counter-conditioning

    • Dogs, like humans, can be desensitized to their fears. Gradually expose a dog to scary stimuli, such as the sound of thunder on a CD, so that it can get used it. Start with mild stimuli and build up, always waiting until the dog seems comfortable and happy. While desensitizing, you can also counter-condition your pet. Every time the dog is calm when a thunderstorm looms, give it a treat so that it begins to associate rewards with being calm in thunderstorms.

    Start Young

    • If you have a puppy, try to start early to desensitize and teach it to be calm during extreme weather. Kuhly warns pet owners not to ignore any signs that a dog may be anxious during a storm, even if it is not causing too much trouble, as the disorder can progress and the pet's reaction to storms may worsen over time.

    Stay Calm

    • Sharpe said that the most important thing pet owners can do is stay calm themselves. A dog takes its lead from the emotional condition of its owner, so acting neutrally around a dog can help it feel less anxious during a storm, she explained. That also includes not making special gestures, such hugging or petting a dog more than usual. Giving a dog more attention during a storm than it normally gets can actually reinforce the pet's anxiety, Sharpe warned.