The following tips can help your dog cope with storm anxiety: Give your dog a safe space. Provide a safe indoor area, like a crate. . Distract your dog. . Prepare for the next storm. . Check out products that may help your dog weather the storm. . Ask your veterinarian. (1) Counter conditioning. One of the ways that you can help your dog learn to not be so anxious during a storm is something called counter conditioning.(2) Tried and True Method. For many dog owners, the tried and true method of using a Thundershirt is the best way to combat storm anxiety.(3) Cover Up the Noise. If your dog seems to be primarily bothered by the sound of the thunder, rather than the presence of rain or the static in the .(4) Wear Them Out Before. If you know that a storm is coming and you want to counteract the anxiety before it arrives, consider wearing your dog out before the .(5) Pay Attention to Your Behavior. This may seem like the opposite of what your instincts tell you, but getting extra-loving and consoling right before or during a storm can .(6) Supplements and Medications. If your dog’s storm anxiety is out of control, there are some things you can do to help control the chemical response of fear in their .(7) Careful Desensitization. My last tip for helping a dog through storm anxiety is not something I would recommend for every dog.
How to help your dog through a storm?
Sedatives may make the dog sleep through the storm, but do not address the underlying problem of anxiety. On the other hand, antidepressants not only relieve anxiety but may help the dog focus on the other behavioral modification training during a storm.
What can I give my Dog for storm anxiety?
Many people find that going to the vet about storm anxiety leads to a prescription for a medication that helps calm dogs down. These mild sedatives will often just put your dog into a nice nap during the storm, or at least make them feel drowsy and relaxed.
What triggers a dog's anxiety during a thunderstorm?
Veterinarians don't know all the triggers but suspect the dogs are set off by some combination of wind, thunder, lightning, barometric pressure changes, static electricity, and low-frequency rumbles preceding a storm that humans can't hear. According to one theory, dogs experience painful shocks from static buildup before the storm.
How do I desensitize my Dog for thunderstorms?
In the winter, desensitize your dog to the sounds of a storm. Play a CD of thunder recordings at low enough levels that don't frighten your dog, while giving them treats or playing a game. Gradually increase the volume over the course of several months, stopping if your dog shows any signs of anxiety.
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