how do you help a dog get over the fear of storms?

Question

my dog is always freaking out when it starts 2 thunder an rain...wat should i do?? is it tru that another dog would help keep him occupied??

Answer 1

First, look at your own reaction. A dog's fear is not actually an emotion like it is in humans. It is just a reaction to an unknown situation. A dog can easily be taught not to be afraid of something if it's owner simply acts like it's no big deal. When my Golden was 7 weeks old we took him out in a rain storm. He was terrified at first, but we just ignored him, and my husband and I played in the rain like we were having the greatest time of our lives. He finally ventured out in the rain and started playing and having fun, after just a couple of minutes. Then it thundered, and he slunk back to the porch and cowered. We completely ignored him. To coddle him would not have interpreted as "It's okay" to a dog, it would have meant, "Ohh, mom and dad are trying to protect me, this must be really bad!" So we ignored him and the thunder and continued playing. Soon he was out playing with us again. The next time it thundered, he didn't even blink. He was afraid of puddles, too, until my husband and I just started splashing in one like it was the greatest fun in the world. Soon, he was splashing too!

If none of those techniques work, I would talk to a behavioralist, as your dog may have other issues, or may not see you as the pack leader and may not respect your decision that thunder is okay.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Adopting a second dog for this reason may actually cause you to have 2 dogs afraid of thunder - which will double your problem!

My dog is now 13 and was deathly afraid of thunder when I entered his life 10 years ago. It took about a year, but he finally got over his terror of storms. It may sound wacky, but here's what worked for "us"...

I bought a CD with thunderstorm sounds and would play it at a low volume to get him used to it. During the course of the year, I would increase the volume along with the bass from the sub-woofer so he could feel the vibrations (like in a real storm). Start off slowly so your dog can adjust and make sure you play the CD every day, ok?

Like I said, it took almost a year to get him accustomed to the sound and vibrations, but it was well worth the time it took.

If this approach doesn't work for your dog, your vet may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety medicine for him. But you have to be in a situation where you can give it to him before he hears the thunder.

My dog now is calm and peaceful during thunderstorms and I haven't had to worry about him being terrified in years because I "proved" to him that thunder won't hurt him.

Answer 3

I used to have a dog that was afraid of storms. She was a collie-mix breed. Every-time she could hear the faintest sound of thunder she would go crazy. If she was outside she would try to climb up the bricks to a window or dash inside when someone would come out. Honestly, I do not know if getting another dog would help. Your dog could give the other dog the phobia too. Ask an experienced dog trainer or vet.........I would hope they would know. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Answer 4

Do not comfort him. He will take that as a sign that you are scared too.
Get a recording of a thunderstorm and play rit at a level your dog will accept. Play with your dog while playing the storm. Slowly turn irt up over days. Always putting irt just below the level where he freaks out.Keep paying attention to him while the storm tape irs playing.
Frinally irt wrill get to the loudness of a real storm. Plus your dog wrill start lookring as a storm as a good thirng that gets hrim attentrion and treats.

Answer 5

No another dog won't help.

You can get tranquilizers from a vet but I don't like the way they leave the dog all dopey. What I use for my greyhound who's afraid of thunder is an all natural remedy called Bach's Flower Essences, Rescue Remedy. I don't know how big your dog is but mine gets 4 drops. It calms the dog, just takes the edge off and there are no side effects.

He's also calmer if he can be downstairs.

Answer 6

Talk to your vet...they deal with this all the time and can give youa sedative for your dog. PS your vet's office should be able to give you advice over the phone free-of-charge. The problem with sedatives though is they don't work unless you are there to give it well before the storm. Distractions may work...toys, food, play time, etc. My dog has just started to act funny when storms are coming and the more pre-occupied he is, the less he reacts. There are a lot of websites and books that deal with dog behavior, and they may have suggestions for you. What ever you do, don't try to pet him, tell him its ok, etc....that teaches them that freaking out is the acceptable behavior.

Answer 7

There is no "cure" for thunderphobia. And petting, holding or mollycoddling a dog that is expressing fear of thunderclaps and rain only reinforces the fearful behavior. Let the dog find a safe, quiet place to be until the storm is over. You can also try various flower essences (from homeopathic vets); they work on a chemical level to help calm your pet. (We use "Rescue Remedy" on our shelter dogs and it works great.) For more information see:
http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htm

Answer 8

Another dog wont help. I have three and only one is terrified of thunder storms. She freaks so, that I had to get some pills at the vet. for her, nothing short of that would work. You give the pill when you anticipate a storm is coming only.

Answer 9

When it storms, try to keep your dog's mind off it by playing with him, giving him treats and comforting him. Soon he'll think that storms = fun and treats. It may take some time, but it's well worth it. Also, if you live somewhere where it only storms part of the year, you may have to retrain him from year to year. Good luck.

Answer 10

Not to discourage you buddy, but I'm afraid I've never heard of any technique that successfully eased a dog's fear of storms. You may have to accept his fear and figure out how to work around it.