My dog is afraid of Thunderstorms?

Question

My 8 year old wheaton is afraid of storms, bass and any flashing light. I adopted him 2 years ago. He shakes and doesn't want to be around anybody when there is a storm. What should I try?

Answer 1

My dog is the same way!
It's the loud noises that he don't like...We usually just bring my dog in the house when it storms!

Answer 2

DO NOT pet and soothe the dog during a thunderstorm because this only tells the dog that it is a good thing to be afraid...petting him is like rewarding him. However, since the dog is now 8 years old it may be difficult to break him of this now. A bf had one that always bit his tongue and bled all over during storms. It was an old dog so he just layed under the table while we ignored him.

Answer 3

Show him you aren't afraid of the noise and eventually he will gain confidence. Every now and then, pet him and reassure him that it is ok. Just try not to baby him too much, then he will do it for the attention. Also, try to distract him during the thunder. Mine was the same way, every time it stormed she would run under the bed and hide. Now, about 3 years later, she will stand on the front porch with us and watch the storm, even with thunder.

Answer 4

well all dogs are like this. Especially on the 4th of july beware. You might want to try to cuddle up with your dog and give him/her a treat. If you hear your dog acting up like making type of crying noises that means a storm or something is coming so cuddle up with your dog when he/ she starts acting like this. Cuddling up makes your dog feel secure

Answer 5

I HAVE A JACK RUSSEL TERRIER AND SHE DOES THE SAME THING.TRY 2 HOLD THEM AND JUST BE VERY NICE 2 THEM.LIKE U R A GOOD DOG,GOOD BOY PET THEM IF U CAN IF NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE 2 DEAL WITH IT THEIR OWN WAY.IT IS A HUGE WORLD OUY THERE 4 US HUMANS IMAGINE WITH JUST HOW SENSITIVE THEIR EARS ARE 2 SOUND IT IS A HUNDRED TIMES LOUDER TO A DOG,THE LIGHTNING IS JUST A BIG SCARY LIGHT 2 THEM IT'S JUST THAT EVERYTHING IS ALOT BIGGER AND SCARIER 2 THEM JUST BE NICE AND HOPEFULLY THE DOG WILL COME 2 TRUST YOU WHEN THAT HAPPENS AGAIN. GOOD LUCK.

P.S. U R NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG!!!
THAT HOW THEY HAVE 2 DEAL WITH IT I KNOW U FEEL BAD 4 YOUR DOG BUT THATS HOW IT HAS 2 BE

HOPE THIS HELPS

Answer 6

My dog is terrified of loud noises too- he paces and paces like crazy.. i can't get him to rest. giving him extra attention won't help, it'll reinforce the activity-
What i do is I just put him in his cage (he LOVES his cage anyway, he's in there right now sleeping) and I close the door (something I rarely do- he's 5) and I cover the cage completely with blankets. It calms him down A LOT. even with the loud noises. I think he feels safe inside his cage with his blankets and pillows, and he can still hear us doing stuff ,like our music and just stuff goin on in the kitchen
If your dog wants to be alone, just set up a cage for him or if you have one already, make him go in it. if he doesn't want to go in, put some cheese in teh cage and trust me he'll go in. then close the door and cover it up. make sure he has pillows and blankets.
you can also try sedatives- on 4th of july i am giving my dog one

Answer 7

My 3 yr. old german shepherd is that scared of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. He climbs over the electric fence to get in a storage room in the garage for that "safer" feeling. We've recently moved-no garage. I go out and hug over him to "protect" and calm him. You need to figure out what will make him feel okay thru his scary moments. Good luck!

Answer 8

Try to keep him by you when there is a storm.
My mom's dog did the same thing her whole life. She was scared of every loud noise imaginable, thunder, bass, fireworks, cars, lawnmowers, everything.
She eventually got used to my mom being there to "keep her safe" and she would run to my mom when she felt threatened. Let him know he will be safe, and you will be right by him.

Answer 9

Try bringing him in the house...turn on the television...that should help...AS you know most dogs are afraid of thunderstorms....because they hear them louder than we do...there hearing is very keen. I hope that helps.

Answer 10

If you freak out and 'baby' your dog, he'll just internalize that the "thing going on" is something bad. With my pup, I just ignore him when scary stuff is goign on, yet remain calm so he can read my energy. So far, he's oblivious to construction workers inside his house and recently, firewokrs! (5 mos.) Maybe calmly give him treats. He reads your energy tho. If you are freaking and tell him to chill, he'll freak. If you're chill and tell him to chill, he'll relax. If you're chill and tell him to chill, and give him treats, he's happy.