Raising Puppies Afraid of Storms: How to Prepare Puppies for Harsh Weather

In fact, puppies go through a crucial socialization phase between weeks 3 and 14. We need to expose them to all kinds of experiences to grow up confident and well-behaved – and storms are an important part of this process.

Bursts of flashing lights and loud thunderstorm noises can be particularly disturbing for small dogs, but don’t worry: follow our simple tips and you can reduce the stress of the training process and strengthen your bond with your little furrier.

How dogs are affected by storms

Dogs perceive sounds and smells much more acutely than us, so being exposed to lightning or thunder can be quite scary. Dogs are also much more sensitive to a variety of atmospheric changes before and during a thunderstorm: changing air pressure, low-frequency roars that herald an impending storm, even increased levels of static electricity. All of this is enough to trigger a fear reaction in a dog who already fears thunderstorms.

For puppies, their first experiences around the storm can scar them for the rest of their lives. Children are not born with this fear of thunderstorms, but they can acquire a phobia after some unpleasant experiences. So it is important to think carefully about the kind of education we give them.

How to train your puppy

You can’t fake a thunderstorm to get your puppy used to it, but exposing your puppy to all kinds of sounds and sights will boost your best friend’s confidence.

In fact, you might even consider a concept called desensitization: playing a recording of thunderstorm sounds during periods of good weather and gradually increasing the volume to get your puppy used to these new sensations. However, it is an idea that should be implemented with an experienced trainer.

Try to make the place as comfortable as possible and provide lots of fun things: chew toys, snacks or puzzle games. And once the puppy is comfortably settled in the hiding place, give him space.

This doesn’t mean ignoring it completely, in fact it’s a good idea to sit between the puppy and the area where the noise is coming from to create some sort of protective barrier. But if he still wants to hide, let him.

During an extreme weather event, try to avoid sudden movements and keep your voice calm and steady. Don’t look at him directly, don’t lean over him, because he might consider himself threatened. Pet him with long, calm strokes if he accepts it, and you can also play soothing music to distract him from the scary noises.⁹

Remember: this experience should be as pleasant as possible. If puppies have stressful experiences during this childhood period, they will always remember them and may even form false associations (for example, some adult dogs become scared or aggressive in the presence of other dogs because when they were puppies, their owners scolded them when they ran into other dogs in the park).

Therefore, a lot of kindness is necessary towards the puppy, do not punish him if he exhibits behaviors perceived as “bad” during the storm (for example if he defecates or if he has destructive behaviors). Be patient, kind and consistent.

If you follow all these steps and your little one is still scared, then it would be best to seek expert help as soon as possible. Your vet can advise you on any questions or concerns you may have about thunderstorms and you can find a specialist in your area using our website.

ADVANTAGES

By following these basic rules, you can also communicate a sense of calm to your puppy, so that when the next storm arrives, he’ll be less likely to panic.

In fact, you will be able to see how they gain confidence in other situations too. Research has shown that dogs who are confident in one situation can show the same confidence in other scenarios (a phenomenon known as generalization).

More importantly, when they trust their owner, a strong bond will be created, which will last, regardless of the weather conditions.

Summary: What to do and what to avoid during storm training

What to do:

• Expose your furry friend to as many new sounds and sights as possible.
• Provide shelter in the event of a storm.

• Seek expert advice ahead of time when your puppy is afraid of storms.
• During the storm, muffle the noise with background sounds or classical music.
• Plan ahead and consider desensitization with storm sounds.
• Stay calm!

What not to do:

• Do not punish the animal for fearful or anxious reactions.

• Don’t overexert your puppy by exposing him to thunderstorms.
• Don’t ignore storm phobia (the problem won’t go away on its own).
• Don’t get excited during the storm (the dog imitates your behavior!)

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