Many dogs are afraid of thunderstorms because of the loud sounds of thunder and flashes of lightning.
This fear can manifest itself in different ways - the animal trembles, hides, barks, or exhibits destructive behavior.
To help a pet survive a thunderstorm, the owner should prepare in advance and take measures.
A few days before the expected thunderstorm, you should create a shelter for your dog where it can hide during bad weather.
This could be a separate room, a cage, a booth, or a space under a table, closed on all sides.
The place should be dark, quiet and secluded. You can put your pet's favorite toys there to create a feeling of comfort and safety.
On the day of a thunderstorm, you should keep your dog indoors, closing the windows to muffle the sounds. Before the storm, it is recommended to take your pet for a good walk so that it is calmer.
When a thunderstorm begins, you need to distract the dog's attention - play, pet, treat with a treat.
But you shouldn't hold a frightened animal by force - it's better to give it the opportunity to hide in a previously prepared shelter.
The main thing is to stay close and support your pet with affection and a soothing tone of voice. Over time, with the right approach, the dog will learn not to be so afraid of thunderstorms.
The owner's readiness and the creation of safe conditions will help your four-legged friend survive this test.
Besides providing shelter and moral support, there are other ways to help your dog overcome his fear of thunderstorms.
One option is to use pheromones. Pheromones are available in the form of sprays and diffusers and have a calming effect on the animal's nervous system.
They should be sprayed indoors 30 minutes before a thunderstorm. The effect will not be strong, but will additionally help the dog relax.
You can also use herbal sedatives for animals (for example, based on valerian or motherwort).
They should be given an hour before the storm so that they have time to work. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about the dosage.
Some owners have reported positive feedback about using noise-canceling headphones for dogs.
They reduce the volume of thunder without completely blocking the sound. The dog can still hear the owner, but the storm seems quieter and less frightening to him.
During bad weather, you can turn on your dog's favorite music or sounds of nature to distract its attention. But the volume should be moderate so as not to drown out your own speech.
In general, to overcome the fear of thunderstorms, you need to show the dog maximum love and attention, provide a sense of security. And with time, the panic will pass!
In addition to short-term measures during a thunderstorm, there are also long-term ways to teach your dog not to be afraid of bad weather. This is important so that the fear does not increase with each new thunderstorm.
One of the most effective methods is desensitization. The idea is to gradually accustom the dog to the sounds of thunder and the sight of lightning, starting from the quietest level.
To do this, turn on audio recordings of thunderclaps at minimum volume at home. It is important to start not with the thunderstorms themselves, but with individual claps. At the same time, feed the dog, play with it, praise it - create positive associations.
Gradually, over the course of days and weeks, the volume is increased. When the dog learns to calmly react to the sound, you can add videos of lightning. And so on, complicating the effects to the most realistic recordings of a thunderstorm.
This desensitization will help the dog adapt to visual and auditory stimuli. The main thing is to increase the difficulty gradually, without overloading the pet.
Another effective method is counter-conditioning. In this method, the dog is given a treat or a toy at the moment when thunder is heard. This combination helps to develop a positive reaction to the scary sound.
By working patiently, you can ensure that your dog learns to react calmly to a thunderstorm. And then waiting out the bad weather will become much easier - for all family members!
Earlier we talked about why a cat licks its owner’s face.
