How Do i Calm My Dog Down During Thunderstorms?

Question

Ever Since Ive Gotten My Dog Hes Been Scared Of Thunder and starts panting Really bad and doesnt stop shaking Is There Anyone who has Any Advice On Getting him to calm down and stop panicing?

Answer 1

Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Thunder and Other Startling Noises
It’s not uncommon for dogs to be frightened of thunder, firecrackers or other loud sounds. These types of fears may develop even though your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. Many fear-related problems can be successfully resolved. However, if left untreated, your dog's fearful behavior will probably get worse.
The most common behavior problems associated with fear of loud noises are destruction and escaping. When your dog becomes frightened, she tries to reduce her fear. She may try to escape to a place where the sounds of thunder or firecrackers are less intense. If, by leaving the yard or going into a certain room or area of the house, she feels less afraid, then the escape or destructive behavior is reinforced because it successfully lessens her fear. For some dogs, just the activity or physical exertion associated with one of these behaviors may be an outlet for their anxiety. Unfortunately, escape and/or destructive behavior can be a problem for you and could also result in physical injury to your dog.
Things that are present in the environment whenever your dog hears the startling noise can, from her viewpoint, become associated with the frightening sound. Over a period of time, she may become afraid of other things in the environment that she associates with the noise that frightens her. For example, dogs that are afraid of thunder may later become afraid of the wind, dark clouds and flashes of light that often precede the sound of thunder. Dogs that are afraid of firecrackers may become afraid of the children who have the firecrackers or may become afraid to go in the backyard, if that’s where they usually hear the noise.
What You Can Do To Help
Create A Safe Place: Try to create a safe place for your dog to go to when she hears the noises that frighten her. But remember, this must be a safe location from her perspective, not yours. Notice where she goes, or tries to go, when she’s frightened, and if at all possible, give her access to that place. If she’s trying to get inside the house, consider installing a dog door. If she’s trying to get under your bed, give her access to your bedroom. You can also create a "hidey-hole" that’s dark, small and shielded from the frightening sound as much as possible (a fan or radio playing will help block out the sound). Encourage her to go there when you’re home and the thunder or other noise occurs. Feed her in that location and associate other "good things" happening to her there. She must be able to come and go from this location freely. Confining her in the "hidey-hole" when she doesn’t want to be there will only cause more problems. The "safe place" approach may work with some dogs, but not all. Some dogs are motivated to move and be active when frightened and "hiding out" won’t help them feel less fearful.
Distract Your Dog: This method works best when your dog is just beginning to get anxious. Encourage her to engage in any activity that captures her attention and distracts her from behaving fearfully. Start when she first alerts you to the noise and is not yet showing a lot of fearful behavior, but is only watchful. Immediately try to interest her in doing something that she really enjoys. Get out the tennis ball and play fetch (in an escape-proof area) or practice some commands that she knows. Give her a lot of praise and treats for paying attention to the game or the commands. As the storm or the noise builds, you may not be able to keep her attention on the activity, but it might delay the start of the fearful behavior for longer and longer each time you do it. If you can’t keep her attention and she begins acting afraid, stop the process. If you continue, you may inadvertently reinforce her fearful behavior.
Behavior Modification: Behavior modification techniques are often successful in reducing fears and phobias. The appropriate techniques are called "counter-conditioning" and "desensitization." This means to condition or teach your dog to respond in non-fearful ways to sounds and other stimuli that previously frightened her. This must be done very gradually. Begin by exposing her to an intensity level of noise that doesn’t frighten her and pair it with something pleasant, like a treat or a fun game. Gradually increase the volume as you continue to offer her something pleasant. Through this process, she’ll come to associate "good things" with the previously feared sound.
Example:
Make a tape with firecracker noises on it.
Play the tape at such a low volume that your dog doesn’t respond fearfully. While the tape is playing, feed her dinner, give her a treat or play her favorite game.
In your next session, play the tape a little louder while you feed her or play her favorite game.
Continue increasing the volume through many sessions over a period of several weeks or months. If at any time while the tape is playing, she displays fearful behavior, STOP. Begin your next session at a lower volume - one that doesn’t produce anxiety - and proceed more slowly.
If these techniques aren’t used correctly, they won’t be successful and can even make the problem worse.
For some fears, it can be difficult to recreate the fear stimulus. For example, thunder is accompanied by changes in barometric pressure, lightening and rain, and your dog’s fearful response may be to the combination of these things and not just the thunder. You may need professional assistance to create and implement this kind of behavior modification program.
Consult Your Veterinarian: Medication may be available which can make your dog less anxious for short time periods. Your veterinarian is the only person who is licensed and qualified to prescribe medication for your dog. Don’t attempt to give your dog any over-the-counter or prescription medication without consulting your veterinarian. Animals don’t respond to drugs the same way people do, and a medication that may be safe for humans could be fatal to your dog. Drug therapy, alone, won’t reduce fears and phobias permanently, but in extreme cases, behavior modification and medication used together might be the best approach.
What Not To Do
Attempting to reassure your dog when she’s afraid may reinforce her fearful behavior. If you pet, soothe or give treats to her when she’s behaving fearfully, she may interpret this as a reward for her fearful behavior. Instead, try to behave normally, as if you don’t notice her fearfulness.
Putting your dog in a crate to prevent her from being destructive during a thunderstorm is not recommended. She’ll still be afraid when she’s in the crate and is likely to injure herself, perhaps even severely, while attempting to get out of the crate.
Don’t punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make her more fearful.
Don’t try to force your dog to experience or be close to the sound that frightens her. Making her stay close to a group of children who are lighting firecrackers will only make her more afraid, and could cause her to become aggressive in an attempt to escape from the situation.
Obedience classes won’t make your dog less afraid of thunder or other noises, but could help boost her general confidence.

Answer 2

During a lightening storm dogs actually feel the elevated level of electricity in the hair on their back. They quickly learn to associate thunder with the same and react to it. I've had some success with rubbing the dog down with a fabric softener sheet which seems to lessen the sensitivity to static electricity at the time. If this works for you, there are also a few products out which are basically a jacket you strap onto the dog that prevents them from feeling the static electricity, I've never tried them so I can't say if they work or not. I know this is going to sound cruel but I once read that by petting and cuddling the dog while it's reacting to a storm reinforces their fear like you are approving of it. Try the dryer sheet immediately before the storm starts, if she'll go lay under a table or something leave her alone. Good luck with it.

Answer 3

I have two dogs that a afraid of storms. One hides in the bathroom, no problem, she feels safe in there. The other would follow me around pant and whine. I got so valuim from the vet, gave it to her as soon as I knew a storm was coming. It made her very sleepy and calmer. I also ignored her whining and went to do the dishes or pick up around the house as if nothing was wrong. I did this twice, after that when the next storm came I didn't give her the valuim. She did great. This all happened in a two week time period. Do not cuddle, or console, they sense you are worried but think its about the storm not them. It makes it worse. You can give your dog benadryl yes the same stuff we take.Call your vet and ask how much and to make sure it doesnt affect any other meds. your dog might be on. My 40lb dog can have two pills. It makes her sleepy and calmer. My 80lb dog is the one I got the valuim for, benadryl wasnt enough. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

You can get calming meds from your vet for your dog. They do have to be given an hour or two before the storm hits, so you would have to know that it's coming. Otherwise, there isn't too much you can do. My dog has been afraid of storms for 9 years, and I just let him go and hide in the bathroom until the storm is over. Any extra attention I give him actually makes him act worse.

Answer 5

I had the same problem. Do nothing. Do not cuddle or comfort the dog. If you comfort, it re-inforces the thought to the dog that there is something to worry about.
I just started to pretend that there is nothing wrong. If I talk to them during storms, it is only normal conversation. After a while, they quit shaking and panting. I still get "that look" from them that they don't like the storm and the noise, This took months, but they are a lot better!

Answer 6

I do not know if this works but I read it somewhere. It said to buy a CD of thunderstorm sounds, and you and your dog listen to them together . Start with the volume low and then louder little by little. You comfort him during the session. It is suppose to lessen his fears. Maybe it would be worth a try. Of course it will take more then one session.

Answer 7

Animals have this special thing that allows them to know when a storm is coming, that we don't. In the tsunami in Sri Lanka, almost all of the animals left before it because they sensed it. My dogs get really scared as well, and even before a storm (because they sense it). There are pills that help to calm them down. If you do something to your dog that they like, like rubbing their belly, they could be comfort them, too! :)

Answer 8

The important thing to remember is that your dog needs to feel safe. Is he crate trained? If yes, make his crate available. Also, put something over the top to darken the crate. If not, I usually put mine's dog bed in the bathroom or closet and let her go in there. I've found that covering mine with a blanket (to darken the room) also helps. Dont listen to the people who say to cuddle. Your dog doesn't want to be feeling like he can't run while hes scared. You have to do whats best for your dog, not whats best to make you feel like you're helping!

Answer 9

Just keep your dog close to you, hug and pet him. Remember also to try calm him down using comforting tones of voice. He's scared and he needs to know his best friend (that's you) is close by. :-)
However, this may not get rid of the fear, it will simply calm him down some and comfort him which, beleive me, makes all the difference in the world.

Take care, and best of luck with you and your dog :-)

Answer 10

It is usualy the lightning in some cases which gives off electrical currents,generaly to small long haired dogs but larger long haired dogs do also get affected.If you tacke your dog to an event where they have firewofks they will react to the fireworks the same.Once you have proven this then tape record fireworks or thunder and play it to them on a regular basis monitoring the result.Then they will get used to it.

Answer 11

Put a cd on and cuddle with him. Pet him and talk to him and make him feel safe. I few sessions like this and things should improve.

Remember that a dogs hearing is so much better than ours.

Good luck!!!!