According to Dr. Nancy Dreschel, a veterinarian who conducted a study on storm anxiety in dogs, 15% to 30% of dogs are affected by fear of thunderstorms. Some dogs tremble, pant, whine, and hide. Others are so terrified that they tear up furniture, break windows, and claw doors and fences in an effort to escape the perceived danger.
What Causes Storm Phobia?
Experts are not sure why some dogs are frightened by storms and loud noises and others are not. They also are not clear whether dogs are afraid of the sound of thunder, rain, and wind, the flashes of lightning, or stressed by sudden atmospheric changes. However some dog owners have reported that their dogs who were afraid of storms and loud noises such as gunshots or fireworks in their younger years reacted less and less as they aged and lost their hearing.
Any dog can experience fear of storms but some studies indicate that certain groups such as the herding, sporting, working, and hound, may be more inclined to storm anxiety. Shelter dogs also seem to have a higher incidence of storm phobia, perhaps due to insecure feelings or previous scary experiences. This suggests that breed and life experience may both play a part in the cause.
Helping the Storm Phobic Dog
Desensitization can help in some cases but does not work for all dogs. This is a slow process where the dog is exposed to low volumes of storm effects while experiencing pleasant things such as a massage, a favorite game, or special treats. This must be repeated many times and storm effects must be ever so gradually increased in a manner that does not upset the dog. This can be a tricky endeavor, which if not done properly, can actually make the dog’s fear worse. If, at any point during the desensitization, the dog shows fear, any progress may be lost and the training may have to be started over from the beginning.
A Penn State study a few years ago measuring cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in storm phobic dogs suggested that dogs in multiple-dog households may be less fearful than dogs in one-dog households. The study included purebreds as well as mixed breeds.
Veterinarians sometimes prescribe anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications for fearful dogs. In some cases, over the counter and homeopathic aids may help but these should always be approved by your veterinarian first.
Some owners of storm phobic dogs claim that soothing music or a television on high enough volume to mask storm noises sometimes helps. Dogs should always have a safe place where they can go, such as a crate or under a bed. Carpet and extra blankets may help dull the vibrations and sounds. Closed drapes will block out flashes of lightning and the view of swaying tree branches and rain on the widow.
Cautions
Fear is a powerful emotion. Never yell at, punish, or try to restrain a terrified dog. This will never help and will only serve to increase his terror. Reassure him and allow him to go to his place of security.
Many dogs panic and escape during a thunderstorm. Always keep identification on your pet so that he can be safely returned.
Related Reading:
Do Thunderstorm Capes and Anxiety Wraps Cure Dogs' Fear?
Preparing Your Pet for a Hurricane
Sources:
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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