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Thunderstorms can be very disturbing, and even dangerous, for everyone within their vicinity, and they can be especially stressful for your pets; and more specifically, for your dog. Dogs are naturally connected to their surroundings through all of their senses, and particularly through sounds and scents. Many animals, including dogs, can smell and hear thunderstorms before humans notice them at all. This is not because animals have a sixth sense that we do not, but because they can smell and hear far better than we can ever imagine. Because they can sense these storms coming, they often become frightened, and may display signs of fear or aggression towards their owners and strangers. Dogs are instinctively frightened of thunderstorms because they know that there is danger involved, and the loud noises, and electricity in the air tip them off. There are a few very effective ways you can help keep your dog calm in this situation, and reassure them that everything will be just fine.

First, it is a good idea to take note of the weather reports in your area, so that you can be prepared for a thunderstorm before it occurs. Making sure you have plenty of supplies on hand for yourself and your family in case of a power outage can help immensely. Things such as: canned food and bottled water, as well as lots of dog toys, food, and different types of yummy treats to keep your friend occupied during the storm are very important. It is always a good idea to have lots of extra new and exciting toys for your dog so that they are never bored with their surroundings, but this is especially important when you know they are going to be in a situation where they might become frightened. If you have special items to distract your pet with, like toys that make funny noises, smell good, and even taste particularly delicious, your dog is much more likely to associate pleasant memories with a thunderstorm rather than associating feelings of fear, or even terror, which can cause much bigger problems in the future and only escalate the problems you may see now.

Secondly, it is imperative that everyone in your home stays completely calm at all times (this is as much for your dog’s safety and peace of mind as for your own). Speak to your pet in reassuring and uplifting tones; avoid speaking in too high of a pitch, or too low, as both of those can be indicative of nervousness, or even anger. Above all, do not yell at your dog. If he begins barking at the sounds from the thunder, either try to ignore his behavior by leaving the room without a word and do not return until he is quiet, or you can try huffing a bit and making an audible “pfft” noise in his direction. This is a well observed behavior among dogs, and your dog should be able to sense that you do not approve of his behavior by this simple non-verbal cue. Yelling at your dog will only encourage any negative behavior, such as barking, and your dog may interpret your yelling as barking at the storm as well. This will likely encourage them to bark whenever they hear loud noises, and this is exactly the opposite effect of what you want.

A final option is to use a mild sedative if your pooch cannot calm down during a particularly nasty storm. In order to access something like this, you will need to visit your veterinarian and either let them administer the drug, or let you purchase a prescription medication with special instructions. Always follow the guidelines of these types of medicine carefully, as there could be negative side effects, and they can even be dangerous to their health in the long term. This should only be used as a last resort if the above options produce no positive results. Your dog is your friend, and your responsibility, so please take the time to try the first options out a few times before using any mild sedatives.

Remember that your dog is scared of thunderstorms out of instinct, so please do not punish them for doing what they were designed to do. Try everything you can to remain calm, tantalize them with treats and fancy toys, and do not yell at your dog as it will likely result in worse circumstances. It is possible to help your dog remain calm during a thunderstorm; you just have to be diligent, positive, and engaging, and the rest will follow. It may take a few tries for your dog to understand that everything will be fine during a storm, but we all know that the time is more than worth it to the both of you.

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