5 Ways To Calm A Dog Scared Of Thunder

Caring for a dog scared of thunder can be a thankless task.

Before, during and even after the storm has passed your dog may well be displaying signs of absolute panic.

And when no end of treats and cuddles seems to calm them down. It is time to take a step back and wonder whether or not you are approaching the problem correctly.

Familiarizing your dog towards thunderstorms isn’t easy. After all, we cannot summon them at will!

But there are many actions that responsible owners can take to help ease them through the experience. That over time will make your dog stay calm and relaxed throughout.

Related Video: 5 Step-By-Step Exercises To Calm A Dog Scared Of Thunder

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Why Are Some Dogs Scared Of Thunder?

Thunderstorms are one of the great levelers between dogs.

Often the largest and most ferocious Alsatian will turn into a trembling furball, while a Spaniel lapdog will softly doze as if nothing unusual was going on at all.

There is no explanation for this beyond quite simply the dog’s individual character.

As with all other forms of canine anxiety, some are just more naturally predisposed to stress than others.

That being said, there is a great deal we can do to help put our pooches at ease.

So the first step is appreciating why some dogs are scared of thunder.

Remember that it is likely a combination of the following…

Noise

Dogs are naturally outstanding listeners and highly sensitive to low-frequency noise.

They will hear an approaching thunderstorm well before we can – and this is one of the reasons why they often display their fear well before the first drop of rain lands nearby.

All that your dog understands is that something massive and loud is over the horizon and headed their way.

Atmospheric Changes

Their ears have acute barometric qualities that can detect changes to the atmospheric pressure.

In layperson’s terms, that means they can detect an approaching thunderstorm.

In the wild, this is an extremely useful trait as it prompts them to find immediate shelter – and that is no different when they are at home.

Storm Phobia & Anxiety

Some dogs are simply prone to storm phobia.

While this can occur ‘naturally’ as part of their general character, it can also be instigated by having endured bad experiences in the past.

Dogs that are left outdoors during thunderstorms or not provided with any calming considerations by their owners (hopefully former!) are most likely going to be prone to this.

It can be tricky to reassure a dog who has previously experienced such hardships that there is nothing to fear from thunder.

Lightning Strikes

Dogs who like to look out of the window are going to inevitably be frightened by the sight of lightning.

Not only is it unpredictable but it is quite frankly outside of their appreciable perception limits.

Much like the noise of thunder, the fact that they perceive a threat yet feel powerless to do anything about it is enough to make them desperate to retreat and hide.

If they cannot feel secure, then panic is the inevitable last resort.

Other Dogs Panicking

Depending on your neighborhood, chances are that there may be quite a few other dogs living nearby (one in three homes keeps a dog).

All it may take is one storm phobic dog to begin uncontrollably barking to set off a chain reaction across the block!

This is why even dogs which are not especially sensitive to anxiety issues may still experience associated stress.

They’ll be thinking “What do they know that I do not!” and may simply join in the crescendo.

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Scared

Dogs react to fear in different ways.

Once again, it may sound like an easy thing to identify but it simply is not as clear cut as many people assume.

Besides sheer panic (which we’ll identify by uncontrollable barking), and random running around the house likely accompanied by defecation. There are other ways that dogs may exhibit fear.

In some instances, these can actually be deemed more serious than those displayed by dogs who just enter ‘panic mode’.

Some warning signs include…

Extreme stiffness either standing, sitting or laid out on the floor.
Tail tucked in behind their legs.
Flattened down ears.
Licking their lips.
Near continual yawning.
Avoiding making eye contact.
Habitual scratching (ears are most common).
Cowering.

It is not uncommon for owners to believe that dogs who ‘just’ demonstrate the above are only a little apprehensive about the impending storm.

The truth is that these are actually signs of what we might consider being ‘resignation to their fate’ and that the dog is absolutely petrified.

As the storm approaches you can expect both a clearly scared dog behaving hyperactively and one frozen stiff to look for somewhere to take shelter within the house.

This may result in destructive scratching and clawing if they try and get into closets or rooms considered to be safe.

This can even result in damage to carpets and flooring if they attempt to dig their way out.

Contrary to what many people assume, dogs do not simply become used to enduring thunderstorms even when they occur on a regular basis.

If anything, they will display even more severe signs of panic.

Just to add further confusion, dogs which may have spent years without becoming fazed by thunder might suddenly become prone to storm anxiety.

It is something which can retreat and re-emerge seemingly at random. And it is the owner’s responsibility to consistently provide preparation and appropriate comfort.

Regardless of whether it will be required or not.

How To Calm A Dog Scared Of Thunder

So now we have established that fear presents itself in many different ways, how do we try and calm down a dog who is scared of thunderstorms?

The good news is that there are quite clear-cut ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ here.

But with perseverance and care, even the most jittery dog around thunder can usually be adequately calmed.

Try and implement the following into both your daily routine and when thunderstorms are on the forecast.

#1 – Reward Good Behavior By Controlling Treats & Affection

Consider this as a general good practice throughout all aspects of training and caring for your buddy.

Rewards should never be dished out at random or haphazardly and should only be used to positively reinforce good behavior.

Your dog will come to understand that those tasty treats are controlled exclusively by yourself and that they must please you in order to earn them.

When it comes to thunderstorms, many owners make the basic error of just trying to feed their dog treats in a vain effort to try and distract them.

Sure, they may well gobble them up, but do not make the assumption that just because their tastebuds are stimulated that they are suddenly completely relaxed.

What you are actually doing here is reinforcing that it is good for them to be scared!

The exact same principle can be applied to petting your dog in an attempt to put them at ease.

By embracing a terrified dog and whispering sweet nothings in their ear, you are going to confuse them into thinking that either you are happy that they are scared or that it is OK to be so.

Needless to say, this is the last thing you want to communicate with a dog who is defecating and destroying because they cannot control their fear.

So what to do?

Harsh as it may sound, you must reward your dog only when it is quiet and acting perfectly normal.

This is why it is important to practice this every day.

Your dog will understand that any time they ‘play up’ – thunderstorms or not – that their supply of treats and hugs dries up.

Practice this by putting them on their leash and teaching them how to settle down by your side.

Repeat that many times and you’ll almost certainly find that your dog will both behave better and feel more at ease during thunder.

#2 – Create Open Shelters

The natural reaction for a dog stressed out by impending thunder is for them to find a safe place to take cover.

No matter which side you fall on the argument whether dogs like ‘dens’ or not. It is important to allow them ready access to a place where they feel safe.

And remember, it is not always logical to us!

Leaving their crate open and perhaps covered with a blanket is a good option as you can stock it with toys, puzzles, and water well in advance.

Alternatively, you may want to open up your basement if that is an option.

A generally good rule is to close all the curtains/blinds and allow ready access to any room in the house where possible.

If you do this just be careful to put away anything delicate/valuable.

Under no circumstances should you lock or confine them to one room, or worst of all leave them out in the yard.

They will try and escape, and that is going to inevitably involve destructiveness.

#3 – Consider Thunder Garments

There are a variety of ‘shirts’ and ‘wraps’ out there which have been pretty useful in helping dogs who suffer from both separation and general anxiety disorders.

These jackets serve to apply gentle pressure across the torso that provides a constant sense of reassuring calm.

Should you be tempted to try these out – and it is recommended you do. Be sure to find a size that is appropriate for your dog and will fasten comfortably without hindering their movement.

A small minority of dogs will react badly and simply not take to wearing them. But most will settle into them after a couple of hours.

Quite how these shirts work is open to debate. With some people concluding that they help to prevent the static shocks that cause alarm in dogs (and people) during thunderstorms.

What we would advise is that you take plenty of opportunities in fine weather to practice.

You do not want your dog to associate their thunder garment with an impending storm!

#4 – Can Desensitization Work?

As mentioned a couple of times during this article, your dog will not become ‘used’ to thunderstorms without your assistance.

Leaving them outside is little more than cruelty, and assuming they will grow familiar of their own accord is simply going to be ineffective in the vast majority of cases.

That being said, some owners report having experienced some positive results by playing thunder soundtracks to try and get their dog used to the real thing.

You’ll need a proper music set-up to do this effectively, ideally with plenty of subwoofer base to simulate the echos.

In our opinion, this may work for some dogs but you ought to perform this training alongside the points already outlined above.

Just playing a soundtrack over and again is not likely to familiarize your dog towards thunderstorms in any positive manner.

One tip for those who do try and implement this method is to try and make sure that your dog associates thunder with good things.

Provide rewards and playtime when they can sit normally despite the loud ‘thunder’ booming around your property.

Just remember that noise is only one aspect of why thunderstorms are so stressful for dogs.

And no matter how hard you try, you cannot simulate the associated atmospheric or electromagnetic changes.

#5 – Anti-Anxiety Medication

With practice and a good routine/training schedule throughout the year. Most dogs can be calmed towards thunder by applying some or all of the above suggestions.

If you find your dog is clearly stressed for long periods after the storm has passed. You may wish to consult with your local veterinarian and see if they are willing to prescribe some anti-anxiety medications.

In most cases, they will suggest that you use the medication in association with general good preparedness for the storms (especially if they are regular/seasonal).

Obviously, it is always better to avoid medicating you pooch where possible.

But this ought to be considered a last resort option that tends to be successful should everything else fail.

Final Thoughts

Just like how we may batton down the hatches in anticipation of a coming storm. Preparing your dog for an unpleasant surprise is the key to helping them cope until it passes.

And while everyone’s circumstances are going to be slightly different. The above advice ought to be plenty to help all but the most severely anxious dogs.

Just keep a lookout for signs of stress throughout the year.

You ought to be able to tell when your dog is scared – and by what – just by assessing their body language.

Thunder is just one of the many little hurdles that responsible owners will prepare, plan and train for.

Incorporate a quality reward for effort training system and you’ll already be halfway towards helping them cope during storms.

Just remember to remain consistent, and never forget that your dog will emulate your own behavior.

Keeping cool and consistent is always the key!

Would you like to share any of your own experiences on how to calm a dog scared of thunder? Let me know in the comments below…