Help a Dog Scared of Thunder

The sky is dark, the clouds illuminated with lightning, and thunder booms. You know that you are perfectly safe, but your dog does not know this. He may hide, whine, or become frantic. Why is he doing this? How can you make him feel safe? Keep reading to find out.

Steps

 * 1) Understand your dog. He may be scared because he feels unsafe -- dogs have a great sense of hearing and so your dog is picking up more sound details than your mind cannot -- the noises are louder and harsher for him. They may seem very close and threatening.
 * 2) Let your dog hide. The loud noises may be frightening, but another very important factor is discomfort or even pain. Long-haired dogs especially have a problem with thunder. During a storm, electrical pulses move through floors and such, shocking your dog with nearly every move. Your dog may feel the most comfortable in a bathroom, where the pipes will absorb some of the shock. However, you should not lock your dog in the bathroom, but rather, give him the choice.
 * 3)  Give your dog company. Your dog will be comforted by your presence, as dogs are highly sociable and intelligent pack animals. Simply being near may give your dog comfort.
 * 4)  Calm your dog. Perhaps your dog would like you to stroke him or talk to him or even sing to him in a soft, calm voice.

Warnings

 * Your dog may become frantic and hyper in a storm -- do not chase him or pin him down or he may bite without knowing it out of self defense and instinct.
 * This is not a time for play. Your dog is uncomfortable and nervous -- lots of activity or over-stimulation may worsen the problem.
 * It is best to keep your dog inside during a storm, severe cold, rain, or any other natural occurrence that you would not like to be in yourself.
 * Dogs do not like high-pitched noises as these are both annoying and upsetting to your dog. Talk in a calm yet happy voice and NEVER scream at your dog.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Properly Care for a Dog
 * How to Keep Your Dog from Chasing Cats
 * How to Train Your Dog to Play Peekaboo
 * How to Give Your Lonely Dog Some Company
 * How to Stop Your Dog from Barking at Strangers