Thunderstorms can make us all feel a bit uneasy at times, especially when there’s instense wind, loud thunder, and the threat of severe storms. As frightening as it can be for humans, it’s often more so for dogs. And that’s why knowing how to calm a dog during a storm can be extremely helpful.
Many dogs will show signs of stress and anxiety during a thunderstorm. Some may continually lick their paws for comfort where others may turn to more destructive behavior. A spooked pup can even cause harm to themselves, or other pets, if they get too worked up.
Thankfully, there are proactive steps you can take to banish some of their fears. That’s why we’re here to discuss five tips for how to calm a dog during a storm. Keep reading to learn them all!
5 Ways To Calm Your Dog During A Thunderstorm
Some enjoy the thrill of a thunderstorm. The howl of the wind, the sound of the rain tapping on the window..
But we think it’s safe to say, most dogs don’t belong to this camp. Dogs and thunderstorms usually don’t go very well together. Here’s what you can do to help ease the tension:
Remain Calm
You can’t expect your pup to be calm if you remain unhinged. Your pup is looking to you for guidance and they’re often in tune with your emotions. If you’re uneasy during a thunderstorm, your dog will likely sense that fear in you and react to it.
So if possible, ease your own anxieties as well. Do whatever you can to relax, remain calm, and stay safe.
Provide Them With A Safe Space
Your dog may have a preferred space indoors. So long as it’s a safe space, make sure your dog has access to it during a thunderstorm. Usually, dogs prefer small spaces where they can nestle in and feel as though nothing can creep up on them. So, a smaller space may be more comforting to them. If possible, keep them there during the storm so they can feel comforted.
But do make sure they have the means to come and go as they please, so they don’t feel trapped in any way. Depending upon whether your dog has the tendency to chew or not, you may want to put their beloved blanket or stuffed animal nearby. This can be very comforting to a dog during a thunderstorm.
Prepare Them With Similar Noises
Thunderstorms can be extremely loud. That’s one of the reasons dogs and thunderstorms tend to not mix well. Many breeds have extremely good hearing. For this reason, they may be able to hear loud nosies from a farther distance and to a much higher degree than we can. If you notice your dog acting strangely before a storm, it may be because they can sense it much sooner than you can.
To familiarize (and hopefully desensatize) your dog to the sound of thunderstorms, it may be a good idea to act beforehand. Consider getting on a site like YouTube and finding thunderstorm noises to play to your dog. You’ll likely want to do this over and over again and on many different occassions. It may spook them at first, but if you do this often enough, they will likely become more accustomed to the sound and less reactive. At some point, they may not be able to deferrentiate the fake sounds from the actual ones.
Keep Them Busy
If your dog is usually playful, a thunderstorm may be a good time to redirect their attention to something they enjoy doing. Play their favorite activity with them to keep their mind off of what is actually happening, so they won’t be so stressed. Or if there’s a TV show they seem to enjoy, turn it on. It can be a welcome distraction during a storm.
Raising a dog isn’t easy, but reading How To Raise A Dog – Helpful Tips can help!
Dogs and Thunderstorms: Try Givine Them a Treat
Many dogs have the tendency to become self-destructive during a thunderstorm, chewing on themselves and other materials they shouldn’t. Rather than risk them harming themselves or something else, perhaps giving them a treat they enjoy is worth a shot. Carolina Prime Pet treats are an obvious choice for many dog owners. These treats may serve as a tasty distraction for your dog, and are always made with top-notch ingredients. Every ingredient is responsibly sourced within the U.S. and made in the U.S. as well.
Our treats contain many delicious flavors. We have Cheezy Crinkle Sweet Potato Chips, Premium Chicken Tenders, Turkey Wrapped Sweet Potato Bones, and so many other great dog treats. Be sure to check out our whole lineup of delicisicious treats by visiting our online store.
No one wants their dog to deal with anxiety during a thunderstorm. You want to see them at their best, at all times, even during a thunderstorm. And so do we. That’s why we hope these tips were helpful!
