Storm Phobia
Some dogs seem particularly sensitive to thunderstorms, finding the experiences overwhelming. There seem to be two common responses to storm fears - either to hide, where commonly dogs seek shelter under beds or in closets, or to flee. Fleeing is by far the most frightening for owners, because dogs will try and escape by any means necessary, in some case even jumping through screen doors or plate glass windows. Dogs that flee are difficult to find and often become lost forever.
If your dog has thunderstorm phobia, it’s important to try and help your dog feel better for his own safety and comfort. The experience of sheer terror is not a pleasant one nor is it good for your dog’s overall well-being. Like humans experiencing fear, dogs will have a “fight or flight” reaction in which the adrenal system kicks into high gear, and if not addressed, can worsen over time.
So, how can you help? The cure for extreme phobias is a multi-pronged approach. Depending on the severity of your dog’s phobia, it may in fact never be solved, but you can certainly help. Patience and flexibility are key, because there is never one quick fix. Instead, slow, systematic desensitization, environmental changes, and possibly medication can alleviate symptoms.
Systematic desensitization is the first step to undertake to begin preparing your dog for thunderstorms. Exposing your dog to the sound of thunder at a very low volume can gradually desensitize your dog to the noise. Purchase a thunderstorm noise CD and begin playing it very quietly when your dog is eating. Gradually increase the sound over the period of several weeks, making sure your dog is not reacting to it. Eventually, your dog should be able to tolerate the noise without becoming frightened. However, systematic desensitization only works when we are able to control the anxiety trigger and expose the dog to the trigger repeatedly. In the case of thunderstorms, it is not only sound but also the atmospheric changes in air quality that seem to upset dogs. Since we cannot control this, systematic desensitization is only the first part of phobia therapy.
The next step is to examine your dog’s environment during a thunderstorm. Your dog should spend thunderstorms in a room that is darkened, with no windows if at all possible and in the center of the house or apartment (think bathrooms, basements, or closets). Buffering sound and light is the goal. but allow your dog to choose where he feels safest. If your dog feels most comfortable in your bedroom or living room, blackout shades or heavy blankets should cover windows. If your dog is crate-trained, a crate can provide safety and security and has the added benefit of being able to soundproof it easily. Although there are products on the market that can soundproof your crate, large panels of styrofoam taped together work just fine. A white noise machine or music should be played to further mask outside noise. Additionally, purchasing an anti-anxiety wrap called a Thundershirt can really help in creating an environment where your dog feels secure. A Thundershirt is a tight, constricting wrap that provides pressure around your dog which some have likened to a hug. Pressure therapy has proved to be successful in anxiety disorders in humans and dogs alike and these shirts can be worn comfortably in any situation where your dog feels frightened.
Finally, if you have undertaken systematic desensitization for several weeks and changed your dog’s environment to lessen the effects of thunderstorms, and your dog does not seem to be improving, you should speak to your vet about drug therapy. Over -the-counter natural solutions like Rescue Remedy and Sleepytime Tonic can help, but for severe cases, more powerful drugs may be needed to prevent your dog from injuring himself or undergoing extreme trauma. Although many owners are resistant to drug therapy during storms, giving your dog an anxiolytic during a storm might be the kindest thing you can do. Your vet can recommend the safest course of action.
Thunderstorm anxiety isn’t fun for dogs or their owners. But, your dog can get used to it if you approach this issue with understanding and persistence. Advance preparation is key, so don’t wait until the next storm to try and fix your dog - start today. Hopefully, with a concerted effort, your dog will be able to weather the next storm feeling a whole lot better.