| What Will a Dog do When They Show Fear of a | | | | happen over night. This type of dog training is a |
| Thunderstorm? | | | | step-by-step process. You will need to remain |
| All dogs have their own amazing personalities, | | | | consistent in your efforts while taking things slowly. |
| however most dogs who are truly frightened of | | | | You will want to choose a time in the day when your |
| thunder will do one or all of the following:o Attempt to | | | | dog is at peace, such as after a walk when your dog |
| hideo Shakeo Whineo Pace back and fortho Begin to | | | | is resting and comfortable. Sit on the floor, patting your |
| drool excessivelyo Bark out of controlo Chew items | | | | dog gently, and allow the CD to play at a very low |
| that they normally would not, such as furnitureo In | | | | volume. |
| severe cases a dog may simply lose all control, some | | | | If your dog's ears perk up or your dog appears |
| have been known to ram into doors, break windows, | | | | restless, reassure him or her with gentle, calming |
| etc. | | | | words and continue to pat them. Allow the sounds to |
| When your dog behaves this way toward thunder, it is | | | | play for about 5 minutes on the first day. |
| time to step in and help your dog gain control over their | | | | Week 1: Keep the volume of the CD the same, |
| actions and reactions. | | | | however increase the time by 1 minute each day until |
| Why Is My Dog Scared of Thunder? | | | | your dog can sit through about 15 minutes of very soft |
| If your dog is afraid of thunder, you are not alone by | | | | thunder noises and remain calm. |
| any means! This is one of the most common | | | | Week 2: Repeat the training of week 1, however now |
| outside-element inducing behavioral problems for dogs. | | | | you will have a helper flicker the lights in the home on |
| It is important to look at this from your dog's point of | | | | and off at random times while the noises of the |
| view. There are 5 main elements that may cause your | | | | thunder plays softly. Again, patting your dog and |
| dog to behave frantically:o The flashes of light - This | | | | reassuring him or her that everything is okay with your |
| can be quite disturbing to a dog and cause them to | | | | gentle and calm voice. |
| lose their feeling of security and control over their | | | | Week 3: Continue this training each day for the 15 |
| normal environment.o The noise of the thunder - This is | | | | minutes. However, every other day, slightly increase |
| loud for you and I...can you imagine how this sounds to | | | | the volume of the thunder sounds. It will be your calm |
| a dog who's hearing is 1000s of times more sensitive | | | | actions and your gentle, reassuring words that will |
| than a human's?o High winds - These sometimes | | | | show your dog that all is fine and that there is no |
| produce high pitched sounds that only your dog will | | | | reason to be alarmed. |
| hear and can cause them to panico The sound of the | | | | Air Pressure |
| rain hitting the roof of your home - With a dog's | | | | The only way to train your dog to stay calm when the |
| heightened sense of hearing, the continual pounding of | | | | air pressure changes, is during a thunderstorm. When |
| rain can be quite aggravating to a dogo The air | | | | one does happen, you should remain very calm. Your |
| pressure - Surely you know of that "feeling" you get | | | | motions should never be rushed. Some owners will run |
| when a storm is on its way. You can actually "sense" | | | | over to windows to slam them shut or run across the |
| when a storm is coming, you "feel it in the air". Your | | | | room to close a door. Beware of these actions: your |
| dog, with heightened senses, feels this 100 times | | | | dog may interpret them as you behaving as if there is |
| stronger than you do! | | | | a danger. |
| Can a Dog be Born to Be This Way?o Studies are | | | | While the storm is taking place, pat your dog and talk |
| interesting on this subject. Surveys have shown that | | | | calmly just as you did during the training exercises. |
| some dog breeds are more prone to behave | | | | What if My Dog Does Not Respond To Training? |
| negatively to storms than other breeds. While any dog | | | | Most dogs will respond very well to the above training, |
| of any breed may hate thunder, dogs in the Herding, | | | | if an owner takes the 15 minutes out of their day to |
| Sporting and Working families are found to be more | | | | work on this issue. |
| apt to show this behavior. Why? It is suggested that | | | | Some veterinarians may suggest a mild anxiety |
| these dog breeds have been taught over centuries to | | | | medication for your dog. However, we do not |
| be very aware of their immediate environment, but to | | | | recommend this unless you live in an area that |
| suppress aggressiveness; thus causing them to have | | | | receives substantial thunderstorms. Why? Because |
| anxiety instead.o Rescue puppies and dogs are more | | | | most thunderstorms only last for a very brief period of |
| likely to be afraid of thunder. It is thought that these | | | | time and do not happen that often. It is not healthy to |
| dogs have had less socialization to get them used to | | | | sedate when the storm will be gone by the time the |
| the world around them. Most have also experienced | | | | mediation begin to work! |
| many unpleasant things before being rescued which | | | | As an alternative, it is suggested to offer your dog an |
| may simply make them more skittish in many | | | | area where they are allowed to "hide". A dog bed or |
| situations. | | | | crate filled with soft baby blankets and a favorite toy |
| How to Help Your Dog | | | | can help to calm your dog down and allow them to |
| The dog training technique of Desensitization usually | | | | retreat to "safety". This area should not be enclosed. |
| works very well. For dogs with extreme fear, this type | | | | When a dog is scared, they can panic even more if |
| of training will at least help calm them down enough | | | | they are confined. Your dog should know that they |
| that they will be able to cope better. | | | | have the option of leaving this area as soon as they |
| The theory of this type of dog training is to slowly | | | | wish to. |
| allow your dog to become used to the noises and | | | | Remember that your actions and tone of voice will |
| lights. The change in air pressure will be addressed | | | | teach your dog so much about the world. While your |
| after a dog is more comfortable with the noises and | | | | dog may be sensitive to thunderstorms, he or she is |
| lights. | | | | also very sensitive to your actions and words. |
| It is suggested to purchase a CD recording of | | | | Showing your dog that a storm does not affect you at |
| thunderstorms. These can be found at just about any | | | | all will help your dog understand that no danger is |
| CD store and are usually used to help people sleep. | | | | present. |
| It is important to remember that training does not | | | | |