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
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.
Five Tips to Help Your Dog Weather the Storm:
Relieving Storm Anxiety Symptoms
“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.
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.
Five Tips to Help Your Dog Weather the Storm:
To help soothe pets that are terrified of thunderstorms, here are five tips to share with pet owners:
The animals may sense seismic waves generated by foreshocks, Woith suggested. "Another option could be secondary effects triggered by the foreshocks, like changes in groundwater or release of gases from the ground which might be sensed by the animals," he added.
Tire them out. A tired dog is a happy dog, vets say. As a preemptive move before the fireworks start, it's a good idea to get dogs plenty of exercise. A visit to their favorite off-leash park or a long walk may help them burn off excess energy and perhaps allow them to sleep through the noise.
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.
5 Tips for Soothing Terrified Dogs During Thunderstorms
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