Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunderstorms or Loud Noises? - How to Cope
When speaking with our friend and dog trainer, Melanie Schlaginhaufen, she stated that one of the most difficult problems for dog owners to deal with, especially during warmer months, is fear of thunderstorms (and firecrackers).
Here are a few tips she offered, which she has passed along to hundreds of dog training clients through the years, most of whom who have been successful in at least lessening the dog’s fear in some way. Melanie did mention that animal behaviorists have studied this problem for years, without finding a “definite cure” that works on every dog, that is why she considers it something that must be managed, as opposed to always “cured”.
1. Realize desensitization techniques are not always helpful, and can even trigger more fear if not applied properly. This includes using things such as a tape recording of storm noises. If you do use these tapes, play them initially very softly in the background while you are playing with your dog. Increase the volume gradually during each training session as your dog becomes more comfortable. Realize that noise is only part of the issue, and it is almost impossible, outside of a scientific lab, to reproduce all the conditions in a storm (barometric pressure, the flashing of lightning, thunder, static electricity in the air, sound of pounding rain, etc).
2. Speaking of electricity, Melanie’s next suggestion is to reduce the possibility that static electricity is part of your dog’s fear by simply rubbing the dog all over with an UNSCENTED dryer sheet such as “Bounce”™. There are also now special anti-static capes marketed for dogs with thunderstorm phobias called “Storm Defender™ *.
3. Not anti-static, but helpful for any type of anxiety issue, is an “Anxiety Wrap™”, which basically works on the same premises as does swaddling a baby. Some dog owners have made their own version of a wrap for their dog out of a t-shirt. Just be sure if you are using anything such as this, only use it when you are with the dog, so he cannot accidentally become tangled in it in any way. Most dog trainers are familiar with the “Anxiety Wrap™” and highly recommend them, or other versions of the same type of product.
4. A DAP™ plug-in is helpful in reducing any type of anxiety, including that of storms. For best effectiveness, DAP stands for “dog appeasing pheromones.” Melanie suggests plugging them in on any day that a storm is predicted, so that the pheromones are already in the air before the storm approaches. There are also DAP collars and sprays as well. The benefits of pheromones to calm anxious dogs is explained in detail on the manufacturer’s website, http://www.dapdiffuser.com/. If using a spray, as opposed to a plug-in, spray the dog’s bedding on stormy days.
5. Exercise is an important method, often overlooked, that is helpful in reducing a dog’s anxiety. If a storm is expected and you know you will be at work that day, make SURE that your dog is taken on a long walk with you before you leave that morning, or take the dog outside and play fetch until the dog is TIRED. Natural endorphins, which have a calming effect, are released during exercise.
6. Try using calming supplements. Make sure your dog is on a healthy diet and consider the addition of taurine, an amino acid that increases dopamine levels. Melanie has an article entitled “Calming Supplements, What Really Works” on her dog training blog which explains the use of supplements such as taurine and niacinamide (a B vitamin) as well as some information on popular products such as Pet-Ease. A daily anti-anxiety medication is often prescribed by veterinarians, with the addition of tranquilizers as needed on stormy days. Melanie states, “The hardest part of being successful with medications is the timing. If the dog’s adrenaline level is already up due to sensing the approach of a storm, his or her body may not be able to respond appropriately to the tranquilizer Keep in mind that tranquilizers must be given AT LEAST an hour before your dog is able to sense the storm’s approach.” This can be difficult in climates where storms arise suddenly, particularly if you’re away from home during the day. Melanie suggests enlisting the help of a dog-loving neighbor or relative, one willing to actually sit with the dog is a storm arises when you are away. Even if they do not have enough time to sit with your dog, then a stay-at-home neighbor may be willing to come by your home and at least administer your dog’s medication (the tranquilizer prescribed by your veterinarian). This is always less stressful on the “helper” if your dog will take the pill in a tasty treat, such as a small piece of treat. There are treats, made specifically for hiding pills, such as Pill Pockets™ which can be purchased at your vet’s office or most any national pet supply store.
7. Be sure your dog is in a safe place if he must be left alone during a time when a storm is likely. Doggie daycare can be a good option during storm-prone months, if you don’t have a friend or neighbor who can help out when you are away. The reason safety is such a huge concern is that some dogs who normally feel secure in a crate, or even a run outdoors with a doghouse, may panic during a storm and harm themselves, trying to get out. Unfortunately, some can get seriously hurt if they try to tear through fencing. Melanie mentioned stories of dogs who even broke through windows and doors, trying to reach safety during a storm. Those who exhibit this behavior are not looking for “shelter”, they are looking for their person, so if they are indoors, they may try to tear through walls trying to get out, and if they are outdoors, they may destroy something trying to get inside the house, or simply tear up fencing and escape the yard. Since the dog’s safety is the number one concern, that is why we suggest checking out doggie daycare options, pet sitters or helpful friends and neighbors, until you find a combination of natural remedies (supplements, a pheromone plug-in, etc.) and medications that allow the dog to get through the storm without extreme fear.
8. When you are home with your dog during storms, be careful not to accidentally reinforce your dog’s fearful behavior by babying him too much during storms. If you can remain calm and act as if everything is normal, then your dog will be less fearful. Teach him, on non-stormy days, what the “place” command means, so he is used to laying on a mat or dog bed when you ask him to “go lay down” or “go to your place”. During storms, you can always move his mat or dog bed to the room you are in, so that he is near you, but not having to be held constantly. If you have a tiny dog or your dog is used to being in the bed or on the couch with you, then of course you may allow this, but again, don’t use babytalk or constantly pet him during the storm. Instead, talk in an upbeat, cheerful voice. Dogs pick up on anything that their pack leader (you, their owner and best buddy) is feeling, and if they sense you are worried, they will not understand you are worried about them, but instead they will assume that even the leader is afraid of the storm!
*If you are interested in reading an article about a study which compared the effectiveness of the anti-static capes (see #2 above, take a look at this short article by clicking here: http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591%2809%2900104-X/abstract.
Many thanks to Melanie Schlaginhaufen for sharing her tips about this difficult problem. Melanie has an e-book that is full of suggestions of helping fearful dogs, so if your dog has anxiety other than simply during storms, you may want to check out the e-booklet she co-authored entitled Healing the Broken Heart..How to Rehab a Fearful Dog.. This affordable e-booklet is full of information, written by Melanie, a professional dog trainer with over 3 decades of experience, and Veronica Kelso, who has rescued and rehabilitated dozens of fearful dogs in the past 15 years.
Here are a few tips she offered, which she has passed along to hundreds of dog training clients through the years, most of whom who have been successful in at least lessening the dog’s fear in some way. Melanie did mention that animal behaviorists have studied this problem for years, without finding a “definite cure” that works on every dog, that is why she considers it something that must be managed, as opposed to always “cured”.
1. Realize desensitization techniques are not always helpful, and can even trigger more fear if not applied properly. This includes using things such as a tape recording of storm noises. If you do use these tapes, play them initially very softly in the background while you are playing with your dog. Increase the volume gradually during each training session as your dog becomes more comfortable. Realize that noise is only part of the issue, and it is almost impossible, outside of a scientific lab, to reproduce all the conditions in a storm (barometric pressure, the flashing of lightning, thunder, static electricity in the air, sound of pounding rain, etc).
2. Speaking of electricity, Melanie’s next suggestion is to reduce the possibility that static electricity is part of your dog’s fear by simply rubbing the dog all over with an UNSCENTED dryer sheet such as “Bounce”™. There are also now special anti-static capes marketed for dogs with thunderstorm phobias called “Storm Defender™ *.
3. Not anti-static, but helpful for any type of anxiety issue, is an “Anxiety Wrap™”, which basically works on the same premises as does swaddling a baby. Some dog owners have made their own version of a wrap for their dog out of a t-shirt. Just be sure if you are using anything such as this, only use it when you are with the dog, so he cannot accidentally become tangled in it in any way. Most dog trainers are familiar with the “Anxiety Wrap™” and highly recommend them, or other versions of the same type of product.
4. A DAP™ plug-in is helpful in reducing any type of anxiety, including that of storms. For best effectiveness, DAP stands for “dog appeasing pheromones.” Melanie suggests plugging them in on any day that a storm is predicted, so that the pheromones are already in the air before the storm approaches. There are also DAP collars and sprays as well. The benefits of pheromones to calm anxious dogs is explained in detail on the manufacturer’s website, http://www.dapdiffuser.com/. If using a spray, as opposed to a plug-in, spray the dog’s bedding on stormy days.
5. Exercise is an important method, often overlooked, that is helpful in reducing a dog’s anxiety. If a storm is expected and you know you will be at work that day, make SURE that your dog is taken on a long walk with you before you leave that morning, or take the dog outside and play fetch until the dog is TIRED. Natural endorphins, which have a calming effect, are released during exercise.
6. Try using calming supplements. Make sure your dog is on a healthy diet and consider the addition of taurine, an amino acid that increases dopamine levels. Melanie has an article entitled “Calming Supplements, What Really Works” on her dog training blog which explains the use of supplements such as taurine and niacinamide (a B vitamin) as well as some information on popular products such as Pet-Ease. A daily anti-anxiety medication is often prescribed by veterinarians, with the addition of tranquilizers as needed on stormy days. Melanie states, “The hardest part of being successful with medications is the timing. If the dog’s adrenaline level is already up due to sensing the approach of a storm, his or her body may not be able to respond appropriately to the tranquilizer Keep in mind that tranquilizers must be given AT LEAST an hour before your dog is able to sense the storm’s approach.” This can be difficult in climates where storms arise suddenly, particularly if you’re away from home during the day. Melanie suggests enlisting the help of a dog-loving neighbor or relative, one willing to actually sit with the dog is a storm arises when you are away. Even if they do not have enough time to sit with your dog, then a stay-at-home neighbor may be willing to come by your home and at least administer your dog’s medication (the tranquilizer prescribed by your veterinarian). This is always less stressful on the “helper” if your dog will take the pill in a tasty treat, such as a small piece of treat. There are treats, made specifically for hiding pills, such as Pill Pockets™ which can be purchased at your vet’s office or most any national pet supply store.
7. Be sure your dog is in a safe place if he must be left alone during a time when a storm is likely. Doggie daycare can be a good option during storm-prone months, if you don’t have a friend or neighbor who can help out when you are away. The reason safety is such a huge concern is that some dogs who normally feel secure in a crate, or even a run outdoors with a doghouse, may panic during a storm and harm themselves, trying to get out. Unfortunately, some can get seriously hurt if they try to tear through fencing. Melanie mentioned stories of dogs who even broke through windows and doors, trying to reach safety during a storm. Those who exhibit this behavior are not looking for “shelter”, they are looking for their person, so if they are indoors, they may try to tear through walls trying to get out, and if they are outdoors, they may destroy something trying to get inside the house, or simply tear up fencing and escape the yard. Since the dog’s safety is the number one concern, that is why we suggest checking out doggie daycare options, pet sitters or helpful friends and neighbors, until you find a combination of natural remedies (supplements, a pheromone plug-in, etc.) and medications that allow the dog to get through the storm without extreme fear.
8. When you are home with your dog during storms, be careful not to accidentally reinforce your dog’s fearful behavior by babying him too much during storms. If you can remain calm and act as if everything is normal, then your dog will be less fearful. Teach him, on non-stormy days, what the “place” command means, so he is used to laying on a mat or dog bed when you ask him to “go lay down” or “go to your place”. During storms, you can always move his mat or dog bed to the room you are in, so that he is near you, but not having to be held constantly. If you have a tiny dog or your dog is used to being in the bed or on the couch with you, then of course you may allow this, but again, don’t use babytalk or constantly pet him during the storm. Instead, talk in an upbeat, cheerful voice. Dogs pick up on anything that their pack leader (you, their owner and best buddy) is feeling, and if they sense you are worried, they will not understand you are worried about them, but instead they will assume that even the leader is afraid of the storm!
*If you are interested in reading an article about a study which compared the effectiveness of the anti-static capes (see #2 above, take a look at this short article by clicking here: http://www.appliedanimalbehaviour.com/article/S0168-1591%2809%2900104-X/abstract.
Many thanks to Melanie Schlaginhaufen for sharing her tips about this difficult problem. Melanie has an e-book that is full of suggestions of helping fearful dogs, so if your dog has anxiety other than simply during storms, you may want to check out the e-booklet she co-authored entitled Healing the Broken Heart..How to Rehab a Fearful Dog.. This affordable e-booklet is full of information, written by Melanie, a professional dog trainer with over 3 decades of experience, and Veronica Kelso, who has rescued and rehabilitated dozens of fearful dogs in the past 15 years.