How To Calm Your Dog During A Thunderstorm

For humans, thunderstorms can be spectacular – an amazing audiovisual experience that acts as an incredible demonstration of nature’s power. For our dogs, however, it can be a different story. Much like fireworks, the sound of thunder can be enough to send our pups cowering into a corner of the house, trembling in fear.

As their owners, it can be difficult to know what to do to help soothe a dog during a thunderstorm. In this article, we’ll outline some of the ways that you can help manage your dog’s anxiety and fear in these situations.

Why do some dogs not like thunderstorms?

You may know that dogs have a more powerful olfactory system than humans – but are you aware of how sensitive their hearing is, too? Dogs are capable of hearing higher frequency sounds than humans, and can hear sounds from distances much further away than we can. This heightens the intensity of storms, particularly when combined with other changes that dogs experience more acutely, such as changes in scent and barometric pressure.

Signs your dog is uncomfortable with thunderstorms

If your dog is uncomfortable during a storm, it may manifest itself in the following anxious behaviors:

Whining
Scratching at doors/furnitures
Cowering or hiding
Yawning
Licking their lips
Seeking reassurance/staying close to family members
Pacing
Barking

Dogs who are unperturbed by thunderstorms tend to demonstrate no change in behavior.

How to help your dog during a storm

If your dog displays anxiety or fear during a thunderstorm, there are a few tactics you can deploy to help them. It is important to note that common training methods like desensitization or counterconditioning will not often work when working with a dog who is scared of thunderstorms. This is because while you can expose your dogs to sounds that are similar to thunder, it simply isn’t possible to replicate the myriad of sensations that your dog experiences during a storm (changes in barometric pressure; light sensitivity; the difference in scents; etc.).

1) Bring your dog indoors

It should go without saying that any dog fearful of thunderstorms will not want to be left outside in the elements. In fact, anxious or not, leaving dogs outside in storms is never a good idea. Not only will they get wet, but they may be startled and bolt in response to a loud clap of thunder. In particularly exposed areas, there is a non-zero chance they could be struck by lightning.

2) Remain calm

If you want your dog to remain calm, make sure you set the right example by remaining calm yourself. It has been proven that dogs can sense the emotions of humans, and becoming stressed or anxious will be interpreted by your dog accordingly.

3) Create a safe space

Find an area of your house that your dog can feel comfortable in when the storm hits. This is ideally going to be a windowless room, or an area of the home that is protected from the worst of the noise. Consider keeping a comfortable bed, some favorite toys, and tasty treats close to hand in this area. These can be used to distract your dog during the storm.

4) Shut the blinds/curtains

Okay, so closing the curtains isn’t going to prevent your dog from sensing that a storm is taking place, and it certainly won’t totally block out the noise of the thunder. However, it may muffle the crashes of thunder to some extent, and will also prevent your dog from seeing the lightning as clearly. Your goal here is to try to cocoon your dog inside your home and make them feel like it is a safe haven.

5) Play calming music

Studies have shown that dogs prefer classical music over modern-day hits. That may not be enough to calm them completely in the midst of a thunderstorm, but it might act as a distraction. You can also play white noise or choose a Spotify playlist designed to soothe your dog’s anxiety.

6) Positive encouragement

If your dog comes to you looking for reassurance during a thunderstorm, don’t shun them! Your support is vital to making them feel safe, loved and cared for. If they want to snuggle up alongside you, make sure you offer them plenty of praise and positive encouragement. The interaction will help to distract them from the chaos outside.

7) Use a Thundershirt or earmuffs

Specially-designed Thundershirts wrap around your dog’s body and provide gentle pressure to their torso. Wiping your dog with an unscented, anti-static laundry sheet can also help. There are also ear covers and muffs that can help to reduce the intensity of the noise your dog will experience. It is important to use these items in advance of a storm, to ensure the dog becomes familiar with the new sensation of wearing them.

8) Try therapies and medications

If your dog becomes destructive, or their anxiety regarding thunderstorms appears to be having a significant impact on their quality of life, it may be worth consulting with a veterinarian to see what anti-anxiety medications may be suitable for your dog. Always check with your veterinarian before providing your dog with any supplement or ‘natural’ therapy.

In conclusion

Managing your dog’s anxiety through a thunderstorm can undoubtedly be a stressful situation to find yourself in as a dog owner. If you know that your dog struggles during storms, make sure to prepare properly for the storm by creating your dog’s safe space and having distractions (food, music and toys) in place to help distract them and manage their fear.