Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and loud noises. There’s someone at home who really can’t stand them: our friend Fido. If you have a dog, you’ll have noticed that he’s very afraid of thunder and other disturbing noises. That’s because his hearing is much more sensitive than a human’s. So, how can you help him? There are a few simple remedies for a dog who is afraid of thunderstorms.
How to calm a dog trembling during a thunderstorm
- Distract him. This shifts his attention to something else; you can play with him using a toy or turn on the TV at a low volume to mask the outside noise.
- Find him a safe corner: some cushions or a small dog bed will do. The important thing is for it to be a comfortable space, a refuge from his anxiety about the noise of the thunderstorm. If you like, you can also leave him a small snack, since chewing relieves stress.
- Don’t go outside, and avoid standing by the window; seeing the lightning could scare him too.
To help him, our goal should be to avoid letting the dog sense that we’re afraid, and to show that the sounds of heavy rain and a thunderstorm are not dangerous, either for us or for him.
Why dogs are afraid of noises
Dogs aren’t only frightened by thunderstorms, but by loud noises in general. Another situation that can scare them, for example, is the vacuum cleaner: dogs are afraid of vacuum cleaners. These fears seem to stem from a self-defense mechanism on the animal’s part. Also, as living beings, our four-legged friends naturally get scared by sudden noises; the difference is that a dog can’t calm down on his own. In fact, if the noises continue, as they do during a thunderstorm, our furry friend’s anxiety grows.
What not to do when your dog is afraid of a thunderstorm
Just as there are remedies for a dog frightened by a thunderstorm or a vacuum cleaner, there are also things you shouldn’t do:
- scold him
- stare at him
- let him see that you’re worried, because he may sense it and become even more agitated
- cuddle him excessively or treat him differently than “usual” (e.g., letting him climb onto the bed or sofa during a thunderstorm...)
Also, if you can, try not to leave him alone during severe thunderstorms, and don’t punish him when he’s afraid; you’ll only make things worse.
Try to behave as normally as possible, and your friend will be grateful.
Loving him also means respecting him for who he is and accepting his differences. And tell us the truth...thunderstorms scare you a little too, don’t they? :-)