Many dogs experience intense fear during thunderstorms. Panicking, they begin to thrash around, hide, whine, and scratch at doors. In this state, a dog can easily injure itself or break something in the apartment. How can you help your pet cope with stress and wean them off their fear of thunder?
During bad weather, do not pay too much attention to your pet.
Most owners make the same mistake: during a thunderstorm, they begin to soothe and pet their pet, giving them treats. This is absolutely not recommended! After all, such actions are perceived by the dog as approval of its behavior—in this case, its fear of thunder and storms.
Over time, the pet will begin to display its fear even more intensely, thinking its owner will appreciate it. And particularly resourceful dogs will even begin to feign panic, hoping for affection and a tasty treat.
Behave as usual, showing with your whole appearance that nothing terrible is happening. Speak in a calm voice and smile. Some dogs find soft singing calming.
Try to distract the dog
At the first sounds of a thunderstorm, try to redirect your pet's attention. For example, you can brush it, play its favorite games, or practice commands. It will focus on this activity and ignore extraneous sounds.
Jogging together produces good results. At this point, the dog feels like it's running away from danger. However, it won't be able to distance itself from the danger, and over time, it will become more resilient to the storm. Furthermore, running releases adrenaline, which significantly reduces fear.
Close the curtains in the room where your pet is located.
Cover the windows with thick curtains and, if possible, keep your dog away from them. If your dog is very afraid, bright flashes of lightning will frighten it even more.
You can even set up a shelter in the room where your pet can hide during a thunderstorm. A carrier, container, or box of sufficient size will do the job. Cover the makeshift shelter with a blanket to make your dog feel safe.
Take your dog to the vet.
Some dogs are so afraid of thunderstorms that no amount of calming methods can help. If your efforts are unsuccessful, it's a good idea to consult a qualified veterinarian who can prescribe sedatives.
Medication can help your pet cope with stress better. However, medication alone won't completely solve the problem, so alongside medication, you should continue training to modify your pet's behavior during inclement weather.
Use all possible methods to help your pet overcome their fear of thunderstorms. Frequent and prolonged stress negatively impacts their health and can even lead to severe psychological disorders.
