Distract him from the noise by giving your dog attention in the form of something he likes – throwing a ball, brushing his hair, sharing popcorn. Try a Thundershirt – This snug shirt wraps around your dog and applies gentle, constant pressure, similar to swaddling a baby. It can sooth some dogs into a calmer state.
“Specialists now understand that static electricity is felt by dogs through their fur, generating an unpleasant tingling sensation,” he says. “For this reason, pets feel agitated and seek a spot they hope might isolate them from the static charges.” Change in barometric pressure.
While some dogs show mild signs of stress, like licking their paws, other dogs can get so worked up during storms they may get destructive.Tips for Soothing Your Dog During a Thunderstorm
First, do not ignore your dog during storms. This advice used to be given because it was believed that attention during storms would reward the fearful behavior. As above, this is simply false. Ignoring a fearful, panicky dog deprives him of whatever comfort and psychological support you can give him.
Five Tips to Help Your Dog Weather the Storm:
He says that dogs may experience numerous shocks from static electricity during thunderstorms. This explains why they tend to run toward the rooms and places in your home that are grounded. What areas are grounded? Basements, bathtubs, and other enclosed spaces, most often.
To help soothe pets that are terrified of thunderstorms, here are five tips to share with pet owners:
Give your dog the comfort and attention she needs to calm her anxiety. An anxious dog is unable to learn due to being overly stimulated and emotional, which means comforting is not rewarding the fear. Try a calming massage to help your dog relax during the storm.
Give your dog lots of snuggles A common myth has it that if you pet your pup during an anxious episode, they'll feel more afraid. However, calmly soothing and reassuring your dog is fine as long as you avoid loud exclamations or frantic movements.
A dog that is startled out of a frightening dream is more likely to growl or even bite out of fear. If you feel like you must wake your pup, gently call out their name and wake them without touching them. This keeps everyone safe and comfortable in the aftermath of the bad dream.
Don't comfort your dog when he acts afraid. Giving him hugs or special attention can actually reinforce his fearful behavior. Speak to him in a happy, playful voice to give him confidence. Never punish him for his fearful behavior. If you can get your dog to play with you during a storm, all the better.
Five Tips to Help Your Dog Weather the Storm:
Relieving Storm Anxiety Symptoms
If your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, you might notice him or her hiding in a confined space, trembling or shaking, barking, howling, whining, restlessly pacing, drooling, or engaging in destructive behavior.