Dealing With Dogs’ Fear Of Storms
If your four-legged friend is one of those who are afraid of thunder and other manifestations of sound and light that bad weather generates, this article is for you. Learn to deal with the fear of storms that some dogs have.
A common problem in dogs
It is estimated that one in three dogs has this problem. An animal that is afraid of a storm can react in different ways :
- hide
- cry, moan or bark
- Shake
- put tail between legs
- Scratching furniture, doors or walls
- urinate on yourself
Although the reasons why dogs react in this way to thunder and other manifestations of storms are not fully verified, it is believed that the acute hearing of these animals has a lot to do with this dread.
Certain insecurities can also contribute to this, such as lack of socialization or traumas he may have suffered. However, it is important to try to resolve this canine problem as it tends to get worse as the pet ages.
Helpful Tips
The dogs’ fear of storms is the same as they can feel with fireworks. In both cases, it is important to :
- Give him a safe place with treats and toys. Perhaps he chooses it himself, and it will probably be under his bed, but it could also be under other furniture, his carrying case, etc.
- Don’t punish him. The only thing you’re going to get out of this is to make the animal more scared and even more anxious, because you’ll associate the storm with the reprimand.
- Don’t pet him or pamper him too much. That’s because your furry can interpret that his behavior (of fear) pleases you, so you “reward”.
Other advice
Complementary actions you should take when your pet is disturbed by bad weather are:
- Close windows to reduce the level of sounds that may be altering your pet.
- It is also convenient to turn down the volume on the television or radio, although you can play soft, relaxing music.
- Keep calm. If your dog feels nervous on your part, he will be even more anxious.
- Try playing with him to distract him.
You can also use pheromones to reduce stress. In any case, the important thing is that you accompany him, show calm and try, in different ways, to put the reason for your fear out of your mind. Try to draw his attention to other things.
Solve Dogs’ Fear of Storms
In addition to the specific actions you can take before the dog gets scared when the storm starts, it ‘s important to try to reverse this situation. Do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian or an animal behavior specialist .
The way to achieve this is to progressively “desensitize” the dog. He must, little by little, get used to thunder or other noises or situations that frighten him. The goal is to get them used to it and make it normal, so be patient and follow these tips:
- Reproduce the noise that alters it using recording at very low volume.
- At the same time, try to distract your pet with different games.
- Increase the volume little by little, until the animal stops being frightened by these sounds.
Although it is not possible to reverse this problem immediately, if you persist in your actions, you will find that, little by little, the dog will leave his fear of storms behind.
