Calming Your Dog During A Storm

It can be heartbreaking to watch: Even before the first clap of thunder, otherwise well-behaved dogs begin to pace, pant, cling to their owners, hide in the closet, or jam themselves behind the toilet. In severe cases, they’ll claw through drywall, chew carpets, or break through windows in their escalating panic.

Thunderstorm phobia in dogs is real, not uncommon, and experts say that it shouldn’t be ignored.

Storms can be a terrifying experience for many dogs, regardless of their age or breed. If you consider that many humans are afraid of thunder storms, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our dogs are, as well. Big, loud thunder, heavy rainfall, powerful winds… all of these are things that could easily frighten even the most stoic of canines.

Storm Phobia Triggers

Veterinarians suspect that dogs are set off by some combination of wind, thunder, lightning, barometric pressure changes, static electricity, and low-frequency rumbles preceding a storm that humans can’t hear. According to one theory, dogs experience painful shocks from static buildup before the storm.      

The anxiety often gets worse throughout the season as storms become more frequent.

Herding breeds, such as border collies, may be predisposed to the problem, according to an Internet survey by Tufts University researchers. Dogs with other fearful behaviors, such as separation anxiety, also seem more prone to panic before and during storms.

Some dogs with storm phobia are also frightened of other loud noises, such as fireworks or gunshots, but others are only afraid of storms.

So how can you help your dog feel more comfortable through a storm? There are a few different things you can try.

Provide A Secure Shelter

Dogs naturally enjoy having a shelter to call their own, such as a crate. Although many people find crating difficult, if taught correctly most dogs absolutely love going into their crates and may even do so on their own to hide from a stressful situation. An open crate will allow your dog a place to feel safe and secure – a sheltering den from the heavy storm. Make sure the crate isn’t too big as your dog might not feel confined enough, but not so small that your dog feels cramped. It’s best to fill it with blankets, toys and any of your dog’s favorite items. Dogs instinctively want to hide when something frightening is happening, so offering your dog a crate is the perfect solution, and can definitely help ease their anxiety.

If you don’t have a crate, a basement where the dog can’t hear or see what’s happening outside, an interior room with music playing, or a bathroom can provide a safe place for your dog to go during a storm.

Let your dog decide where he wants to go. Notice where he goes during a storm, and if possible, allow access to it.

Be sure your dog can come and go freely, since some animals become more anxious if confined.

Stay With Your Dog

There are times that owners have been warned not to comfort their dogs at the risk of reinforcing the dog’s fearful behavior. But a heavy storm is not the time to leave your dog alone and force him to buck up. In fact, since dogs are pack animals, they naturally want to be with their families during a scary event. Even if your dog is crated, make sure to stay in the room with him so you can offer physical and emotional support. Gentle massages, soothing talk, and reassurance that everything is under control can help your dog feel much better about the situation.

Dogs can pick up on our feelings, so it is a must that you stay calm if you wish to calm your dog during a thunderstorm. If they sense your anxiety, it will only make their fear and anxiety worse.

Consider Natural Therapies

There are many anti-anxiety medications you can ask your veterinarian about if your dog has severe anxiety, but it is recommend trying natural therapies first, such as a calming chew. For dogs that have a mild phobia, they seem to work quite well. Melatonin is a natural hormone that is used for many ailments, including insomnia. It’s a natural way to make your dog feel more tired and hopefully sleep through the storm or take the edge off their anxiety. Bach flower extracts and lavender oil are also natural calming alternatives that you might want to try. Make sure you ask your veterinarian for specific dosage advice and administration before giving your dog any natural supplements.

Consider A Snug Garment

Snug-fitting shirts and wraps especially designed to calm anxious dogs are worth a try. Thunder Shirt, which is a  pressure garment that is said to have a calming effect similar to swaddling a baby, is one of the most popular snug garments for pets. There are also ways to make your own anxiety wrap for your dog.

Reward calm behavior year-round

Always reward calm behavior.  Many owners make the mistake of trying to console and pet a fearful dog that’s whimpering or climbing on them, but that just encourages the panicky behavior. You should absolutely NOT scold your dog, but you don’t want to reward him for being clingy because that will only increase the clingy behavior.

Don’t wait for your dog to act fearful to give him attention. When you console a whimpering dog you are rewarding the unwanted behavior. So instead, praise him and shower him with affection when he’s completely calm and that way he knows that this is the correct way to behave.

Practice getting your dog to settle on command. Try putting a special “inside” leash on the dog and practice having the pet lie at your feet while praising the calm behavior with words and treats.

Be sure to practice when there is no storm, so your dog learns the routine. When the storm comes up, then put on the leash and say something like, “Come on and lie down here.” Your dog will then know what to do.

During the storm, you can also try distracting your dog by offering his favorite toy, playing fetch, petting him, and feeding treats as long as he remains calm.

The idea here is to get him to forget about the storm and replace the fear and anxiety with something positive.  Providing a positive or distracting stimulus may be the key to calming him down.

Ask Your Veterinarian For Advice

If your dog’s phobia is severe, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about getting prescription anti-anxiety medications to ride out storms. Although most owners find this option the least satisfying, it should still be considered if your dog is severely suffering and nothing else seems to work. You might also enlist the help of a professional dog trainer and/or behaviorist who can offer the best options for your particular dog’s phobia. All dogs react differently to different methods of treatment, so you’ll want to try as many as you can.

You may find that the best management plan for helping your pup through his storm phobia is a mixture of methods.  This can include changing some of his environment (finding him a safe place during the storm), applying some behavior modification techniques, and possibly some anti-anxiety medication.  Work with your veterinarian to come up with the best treatment plan for your dog so that he can eventually “weather the storm” with you.