If the dog is afraid of thunder

Fear of thunder is a common phobia in dogs. Usually, the dog tends to hide, howls, barks, scratches, or even marks in the house. No one knows for sure why thunder scares dogs so much. Certainly, some dog breeds are more prone to this phobia than others.

Thunder anxiety is difficult to correct, but it is very important to try to do so, as it only gets worse with age.

A dog that is afraid of thunder may show signs of anxiety long before a thunderstorm starts. The pounding of rain on a roof, bright flashes of light, or even a drop in atmospheric pressure before a thunderstorm can be enough to trigger a reaction in a dog. Also, dogs that are afraid of thunder often have a fear of fireworks.

Do not punish or caress

When it comes to this phobia, it’s important not to punish the dog for being afraid, but also not to pet him excessively, as this will only exacerbate the problem. Punishment will increase anxiety and fear, as the animal will associate thunder not only with its fear, but also with your punishment.

Excessive caresses and attempts to calm the pet are also undesirable, because then your dog will think that anxiety is “good” and you like it.

Target and unharmed

The first thing you should do for a dog that is afraid of thunder is to provide him with a safe place to hide during a thunderstorm. Dog carriers, the space under a bed or a chair are the places where a dog most often hides. This choice is due to a sense of security and the fact that external noises that frighten are smoothed out. If your dog has not yet chosen such a hiding place, arrange it yourself. Leave treats for your pet to help him survive the storm. had to survive the storm.

Taking shelter during a thunderstorm can help reduce some of the anxiety, but it doesn’t fix the cause of the problem. This task is more complex and may require the assistance of a veterinarian or animal behavioral specialist. It is extremely important to desensitize your dog to thunder or other thunder-related stimuli. The sooner you start correcting this behavior, the sooner you will get a positive result.

Let the dog learn more

Elimination of dependence must be carried out gradually. Your main goal is to accustom the dog to the sound of thunder and make it perceive it as normal, standard conditions. This is usually achieved by playing an audio recording with thunder for short periods of time and at a low volume.

The audio recording should play irregularly, simulating real thunder. At the same time, keep an eye on the well-being of the dog. Try to distract her from the noise by offering to play catch-and-fetch or something else. If your dog is too frightened to participate in games, you should lower the volume of the recording and try again after a while.

The process may take a lot of time and patience, but in the end your dog will feel much more comfortable during a thunderstorm.