More than a few dog owners have experienced the trouble of calming a dog during a thunderstorm. Spending the majority of their time indoors, lots of dogs tend to be extremely fearful and anxious when a storm hits. They can even become anxious before the storm hits, as their keen senses can pick up on one coming in. If you are a dog owner and have experienced the problem of your dog becoming frantic when a strong thunderstorm or windstorm comes into town, it’s important to know that there are ways of easing the situation for the both of you, and King Kanine is here to help.
In this blog we’ll talk about how to calm a dog during a thunderstorm, what causes dog thunderstorm anxiety, and also describe products that can help calm a dog down in these situations, including a dog thunderstorm jacket and dietary supplements like CBD oil, edibles, and topicals. Keep reading to learn about it all!
How to Calm a Dog During a Thunderstorm
When a dog becomes anxious about a storm approaching, the symptoms are pretty obvious to pick up on. Dogs will ordinarily whine, hide in specific places in the house where they feel sheltered and safe, or they may follow you around so that they’re never alone. Our first point will focus on this — being with your dog when the storm hits. Of course, it can’t always be that you’re able to be home with your dog during a storm, but being able to do so reinforces in them a feeling of safety, and by observing your behavior during a storm, they’ll likely be able to adapt and learn how to handle themselves for future storms. The last thing dog owners need is to come home after a storm and find their furniture was torn up and their things strewn about. If your pet suffers from dog thunderstorm anxiety, spend time with them and let them know they’re safe.
More Tips on Calming a Dog During a Thunderstorm
There are more than a few things you can do to ease your dog’s stress when a storm is overhead. First, try to distract the dog from the external environment. Find their favorite toy and play with them, whether that is fetch or having a tug-of-war. Keep them occupied with objects and activities you know they enjoy, and hopefully, their attention will turn away from the thunder and lightning outside and toward the connection they have with you and your family.
Another good tip is to produce noise within the home that can compete with the noise outside. Consider turning on the television to a loud volume and playing a TV show or movie, or put on your favorite record and get comfortable with your pet. Creating a cozy environment and turning the object of attention in the room from the outside world to the inside can make a huge difference. Dogs are adaptive animals and will try to mimic the behavior of their families, as long as the behavior is positive and supportive.
