Ask my husband about his dog while he was growing up and he will tell you she was the best dog ever. Ask about how she behaved during thunderstorms, and he will give you a very different answer. Honey was so afraid of thunder that she would literally destroy the house. They would lock her in the laundry room and she would chew holes in the walls and through the door. Every time a storm raged outside, Honey would wage war on her surroundings.

Why do dogs fear thunderstorms?

Thanks to thousands of years of instincts, dogs are much more in tune to the world around them. In the wild dogs can sense a storm coming and know that they must seek shelter. With sensitive ears they can feel the change in the atmospheric pressure. They can also smell the weather change as the wind blows in. And it all culminates with ground shaking thunder. However dogs don’t understand what is causing this change to the universe.

Most dogs with a fear of thunderstorms will whimper and hide during storms, while others will display destructive behaviors. When dogs don’t understand what is happening around them, they will look to their humans for guidance. If your coddle them, or try to sooth them with your voice you are reinforcing that there is something to be afraid of.

Solutions for thunderstorm fears include using a leash or Gentle Leader, ignoring them, or providing them with a comfortable place to wait out the storm. If you clip a leash onto their collar, this will reinforce that you are in charge and they don’t need to worry so much. A Gentle Leader provides pressure on the top of the nose, like their mother would when they were puppies. Ignoring your dog during storms will help them to see that there is nothing to fear. Finally you can give them a sleeping bag or big heavy blanket for them to hide in during the storm.