Thunderstorm anxiety: How to help your dog

It flashes, thunders and crashes - thunderstorms are scary. And not just for us, but also for our four-legged friends. Dogs are very sensitive to thunder and lightning and can panic. Here's how to help your dog overcome his fear of thunderstorms.

First aid measures for thunderstorm anxiety

Stay calm

Even if you find it difficult, try to stay calm and relaxed yourself. Your mood will be transferred to your dog. The more relaxed you are, the more secure your dog will feel with you.

Reduce noise

Close all windows and lower the shutters. To reduce the noise of thunderstorms, play quiet music or switch on the radio or TV.

Offer a place to retreat

Many dogs will seek out a safe retreat of their own accord to wait out the storm. This place should not be forbidden. You can also provide a place yourself by making a nice cosy den out of blankets and cushions. The dog crate can also serve as a safe place.

Provide emotional support

If your dog is scared and seeks physical contact, don't forbid it. He needs you now more than ever. It is often enough for you to hold a paw or sit with him and put an arm around him. Unfortunately, some people still believe that anxious dogs should not be comforted as this increases their anxiety. This is nonsense. If you are scared, you will feel more comfortable and secure if someone is there to hold you.

Lighten the mood

Try to distract your dog from his fear. How about a food game: If your dog is busy retrieving or searching for tasty food from an intelligence toy, he will be so focussed that he may forget about his fear for a while. Chewing on a bone also has a calming effect. If you do clicker training with your dog, you can now retrieve various tricks and reward him handsomely. For some dogs, there is nothing better than tearing up cardboard boxes or the like. Offer him something he can destroy, it really puts him in a good mood. Would you like an extra article on clicker training? Then comment briefly in the post :)

Thundershirt

This shirt fits snugly around your dog's body and provides security, safety and support. Why not give it a try?

Bach flowers and co.

Rescue drops from the pharmacy help in an emergency. Give your dog 4 to 5 drops over treats several times during a thunderstorm or rub the drops directly onto his body. It is best to start a few hours before the thunderstorm arrives. A certified Bach flower therapist for animals can put together a customised anxiety mixture for your dog. Homeopathic remedies and Schüssler salts can also help with thunderstorm anxiety. Contact a trained veterinary practitioner for this.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils of lavender, camomile or valerian have a calming effect. Put a few drops of these on a cloth and place it in your dog's retreat. You can also put one or two drops on a scarf and tie it around your dog's neck.

Long-term help

If possible, you should start anti-anxiety training when your dog is a puppy. However, training against thunderstorm fear also makes sense for older dogs in order to get the fear under control in the long term.

Desensitisation and counter-conditioning

Desensitisation means that your dog gradually gets used to the sounds of thunderstorms. There are special training CDs for dogs with different sounds on the market. You then play this CD very, very quietly at first. If you can no longer hear it properly, your dog will still hear it - after all, he has much better hearing than we do.

This is where counter-conditioning comes into play: While you play the sound, offer the dog something really great that will give him a lot of pleasure: Playing, clicking, agility, his favourite treat, shredding things. If the dog remains calm and concentrates on the offer, you can play the noises a little louder after a while. Continue like this until the noises are really loud and your dog still accepts your offer in a relaxed manner. Remember: don't go too fast, follow your dog's lead! Only when he remains really calm can you take a small step further. If you are unsure, get help from a dog trainer.

And what do I do if I'm surprised by a thunderstorm outside?

Not every thunderstorm is easy to predict. In certain regions or in certain weather conditions, thunderstorms can appear in a matter of seconds. If a thunderstorm is approaching, put your dog on a lead immediately so that he doesn't run away. Then make your way home quickly or find suitable shelter. If your dog already knows some relaxation exercises, recall them now.

I hope that these tips will help your dog to relax during the next thunderstorm.

By the way: Liebesgut snacks are a really tasty and healthy reward for anti-anxiety training. This makes training even more fun. Give it a try.

Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:

Tasting packs for dogs

BIO treats for dogs