Is your dog anxious and terrified during thunderstorms? Want to learn how to calm your dog? Here’re some tips to help you calm your furry friend during thunderstorms.
9 Ways To Calm Your Dogs During Thunderstorms
Keep your furry friends calm and relaxed with these tips
It is not an uncommon condition that dogs have thunderstorm phobia, actually, dogs are commonly afraid of loud noises, and it shouldn’t be ignored. Dog’s are very capable of doing damage to themselves and to your investments. You must learn how to handle them during stormy nights if you wish to avoid nightmares and expenses you might have if you are unable to control your dog during thunderstorms. Luckily, we’ve found this 9 Ways To Calm Your Dogs During Thunderstorms to help you out.
1. Start With Yourself
Dogs can pick up humans’ feelings, so it is a must that you stay calm if you wish to calm your dog during a thunderstorm. It will only make them feel and act worse if they can sense your anxiety.
2. Take Care Of It Early In Dog’s Life
Thunderstorm phobia is considered as a progressive behavioral disease, so if you see signs of fear, such as a mere quake and quiver, during thunderstorms, at your dog’s early life, you have to act immediately because each successive thunderstorm season will most likely worsen you dog’s fear.
3. Coddle and Comfort Your Dog but NEVER Over Do It
If your one of those who believe that giving dogs consolation during thunderstorms will only reinforce their negative behavior, you’re totally wrong and never punish your pet during this time as it will only make your pet freak out more.
4. Provide A Quite Spot for Shelter
Provide your dog a safe area where it can securely sit out the storm or let your dog stay in your room with you and give your dog a warm blanket to snuggle with.
5. Get Your Dog Away From Any Loud Noise
The weather is bad enough for your poor dog, so it’s best to turn off the TV or radio, but gentle music or some music that your dog is used to hearing can help lessen the sound of thunderstorm outside and calm your dog.
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— Homesteading (@HomesteadingUSA) January 7, 2016
6. Contend the effects of electromagnetism
Dogs are hypersensitive to the electromagnetic radiation caused by lightning strikes and one way to help your dog from these fear-provoking waves is by clothing your dog with commercially available thundershirt. Another method is covering your dog’s crate with a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
7. Diminish Your Dog’s Thunderstorm Phobia
Help your dog diminish his thunderstorm phobia by playing thunderstorm CDs when the storm is not furious outside. Start with low volume while playing his favorite game and giving him treats and pettings. Increase the volume all the while, making him comfortable hearing the sounds over the period of weeks.
8. Consult Your Veterinarian Regarding The Right Medication
If you can see that your dog’s thunderstorm phobia is no longer amenable to any of this tips without drugs, then, consult your veterinarian about proper medication as there are already plenty of medical approaches that don’t result in a catatonic dog.
9. Seek a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
If all else fails, your dog should never suffer and never abandon your dog. Seek the advice of your veterinarian and if there’s nothing more he/she can do, seek someone with unique training and expertise in these areas – maybe a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
Want to learn more on how to calm your dog during thunderstorms? Let’s watch this video from eHowPets:
Did you find this post helpful and interesting? Which one will you apply to your dog? Let us know in the comments below.Up Next: Important Farm Dog Commands Every Homesteader Should Know
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!This post was originally published in July 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
