Best Way to Calm Your Dog During a Thunderstorm

First you hear the thunder, then rain pounding on the roof. The next thing you know, the dog is at your side, shivering and shaking as if the sky were falling.

And to him, it is.

What seems like an everyday occurrence to us, thunderstorms or fireworks, even the neighbor's car backfiring, will often frighten dogs because of their extra-sensitive hearing abilities. According to WebVet.com, herding breeds like collies and sheep dogs are especially sensitive to loud noises.

Instinctively, we want to comfort our pets, but extra petting, cuddling, or treats will only reward their behavior. This reaction, no matter how well-intentioned, actually teaches your pet to become frightened whenever he hears a loud noise. Prescription anti-depressants are now available for dogs, but are not an ideal choice.

"Medicating your pet can actually make its fears worse,'' says Babette Gladstein, VMD, on WebVet.com.
"Sedated pets still experience the noise, but physically can't react. This continues the cycle and the need for drugs."

So what can you do?

The best way to ensure your dog is calm during thunderstorms is to retrain him so that he is not as fearful of loud noises. The best way to do this is to prepare a "den" to which he can retreat when he is scared. This area should be comfortable and not enclosed. He should be able to go in and out as he pleases. Confining your pet while he's afraid will only make him more fearful, and it may cause him to panic and lash out, possibly injuring himself.

Begin by introducing your dog to his safe den when he's calm and happy. During a thunderstorm, or when he experiences a loud noise and is frightened, calmly and kindly call him to his safe den and leave him there. If he comes out of the den and is still scared, gently show him back to his "safe spot."

Be gentle, but not rewarding of his behavior. (Of course, don't punish him either. Stay as neutral as you can.)

After a few training sessions, your dog will learn that if he is frightened, he has a place to retreat in which he is safe, and perhaps will come to feel secure enough without it. Having trained my dog to retreat underneath our bed when she is frightened, I have noticed that she only uses the "den" during particularly loud, or lengthy, thunderstorms and on especially loud occasions, like the Fourth of July.

Sources:

"How to Calm a Dog Scared of Loud Noises" http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2075

"The Thunderstorm and Your Dog" http://www.dog-health-and-supply.com/thunderstorm.htmlhttp://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2075