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6 Tips To Calm Your Dog During a Storm

Written By: Caitlin Perna

How to calm your dog during a thunderstorm

Dog curled up on a couch

The change in weather has certainly brought with it many thunderstorms, and if you have a pup who isn’t quite a fan of this it can be very stressful. If you notice your dog pacing, panting, or cowering at the start of a storm, these tips can likely help your dog remain calm. 

Stay Calm 

Your dog will definitely be able to tell if you’re anxious or stressed. If you seem high energy during a storm, your dog will probably pick up on that. When know that there is bad weather coming, be sure to stay relaxed. Be aware of your body language and voice volume to appear confident and calm.

Distract them

Turn on some music or tv drown out the noise. You may also want to keep your dog engaged with their favorite toys or doggy puzzles. If they are paying more attention to you than the storm, reward them with treats.

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Plan ahead by taking them on a walk before the storm so they are tired.

Sleeping dog on couch

Create a safe space

Utilize their crate or doggy bed to create a den they can feel safe in. Fill it with blankets, a water bowl, and their favorite toys. Be sure to keep that area away from windows and in a place least exposed to the loud noises.

Build up their tolerance 

This mainly applies to puppies who haven’t experienced many storms, but you can practice regularly play thunder noises around your dog while gradually increasing the volume. This will desensitize your dog to the loud sounds that may be startling otherwise.

Try a Thundershirt

Lastly, you could try putting a thundershirt on your dog. A thundershirt is a tight fitting jacket that wraps around your dog and applies gentle pressure, like a constant hug. This can sooth some dogs into a calmer state.

Speak with a vet or dog trainer 

If none of these seem to help, it might be best to seek guidance from a professional. There are dog training programs to help with behavioral issues as well as safe  anxiety medications that can keep your dog calm.

 

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