How to Calm a Nervous Dog During a Thunderstorm

Being a dog owner in a part of the country where thunderstorms are a common occurence can be a nightmare for those who own a nervous dog. Your dogs fear of thunderstorms and other loud noises is a real phobia for your dog. Learn how to calm a nervous dog during a thunderstorm using these simple methods.

Help your Nervous Dog with Harp Music
I found with our nervous dog that music was most soothing to him. I found this out by accident while listening to some classical music during a thunderstorm and noticed the calming effect it had on our dog. After a little experimentation I found that music that was heavy on string instruments and particularly harps were most calming to our nervous dog.

Give your Nervous Dog a warm sweater
Our dog loves to be held closely and wrapped tightly in a sweater or t shirt. Don't neglect your dog during a thunderstorm, instead take the time to show them the love and concern you would show a child who was naturally fearful of a loud storm. You can modify your dogs behavior and calm a nervous dog during a thunderstorm by giving your dog a set reaction every time a thunderstorm pops up. Save a favorite sweater or shirt for your nervous dog and make sure to provide your dog with a warm bed that they can enjoy during their time of fear.

Desensitize your Nervous Dog
You can teach your dog over time to not be nervous about thunderstorms by conditioning their senses to the approaching storms. Introduce CDs or music that have light to moderate thunder and lightning in the sound track. Over time your dog will hear these sounds and become used to them. When you notice that your dog can listen to CDs with thunder and lightning playing lightly, then step up the noise and increase the volume ever so slightly until your dog can tolerate the loud thunderclaps produced over a loud stereo or DVD player.

Using drugs to calm your Nervous Dog
Make sure and consult your Veterinarian before using any medications on your dog. A good veterinarian has dealt with many nervous dogs and can advise you as to the best medicines that can help calm your dog during a thunderstorm. Make sure and ask your Veterinarian about Tranxene, Clomipramine, and Buspirone. Tranxene is a long lasting valium that is administered before any situation that would cause your dog to be nervous. Clomipramine is a relatively new doggie drug that has showed some promise in calming nervous dogs, while Buspirone has shown to be somewhat useful depending on just how nervous your dog is.

Hopefully these ideas will help calm your nervous dog the next time a thunderstorm comes rolling through, remember to take care of your pet just like you would a small child...your dog will appreciate it.