A message from the Laramie Animal Shelter:

“It’s the season for afternoon thunderstorms in Laramie and lots of dogs are suffering from their annual bout of thunderstorm phobia. This is a real problem and can be surprisingly common in companion canines. Here are a few things owners can do to help their pets stay calm through the season.

Question: Why does storm phobia happen, and what can you do if your dog suffers from it?

Answer: Veterinarians and behavior specialists are unsure of all the triggers that your canine companion is using to assess the approaching storm. Your dog may be picking up on any combination of increasing wind, thunder, lightning flashes, changes in the barometric pressure, static electricity in the air and even possible low frequency thunder sounds that we, as humans, are unable to perceive.

Your pup’s anxiety may get worse as the season progresses and as he ages but sometimes presents itself at a seemingly random point in his/her life. Dogs with thunder phobia can also be sensitive to other loud banging sounds such as fireworks, gunshots, or automated tools like pneumatic nailers.

While this phobia can be a tough nut to crack, there are some things that owners can do to try to help their canine companions with the stress and anxiety of these daily, afternoon events.

1. Praise your dog for his calm, rational behavior all through the year.  Anytime he/she is calm and steady, praise that behavior. This will, rather passively, implant the notion that calm is good.
2. Provide your dog with a port in the storm. Set up a dedicated space in your home where he/she can consistently go to feel safe and secure during storms and other noise events. This might be a basement room where you set up a fan or some other pleasant noise and some sort of activity like a peanut butter filled toy.
3. Consider a snug shirt like a Thundershirt or a Storm Defender. Some owners report a calming effect from having their dog wear a snug fitting shirt-type garment in anticipation of a stormy afternoon, likening it to swaddling an infant.
4. Spend time in the “off season” working with your dog to desensitize him to the sound of thunder. During pleasant activities, play some low volume thunder sounds. Gradually increase the volume from one session to the next. Back it down if he/she shows any signs of stress like panting, nose licking, pacing or trembling. Take this process very gradually and keep sessions short at first.
5. Consult your veterinarian or behaviorist. There may be medications you can consider or other behavioral modification techniques you can try to help your dog feel safe and comfortable during our daily thunder boomers.

Thunder anxiety can be a hard problem to solve but having a comfortable companion is certainly a goal for any dog owner. We hope owners will try some of these techniques and we hope they find success in calming the canine companion.”