We all know how terrifying fireworks, lightning, and thunder can be to our furry companions. This short article will dive into some tips and tricks for helping your dog adjust to any unwanted stimulus, bringing you one step closer to being thunder buddies for life. You will learn what to do, what not to do, and why it works.
What to do - When you know a storm is coming, take the time to burn off all your dog's energy with some structured exercise, such as a walk or game of fetch. Have a comfortable spot set up near wherever you will be spending time during the storm, so your dog has a place to stay that is better than a corner or under a table. Use high value treats or toys to distract your dog with training and play just before and during the storm, the goal is for your dog to associate the storm with positive things and build up their confidence. For training, get your dog to hold a "sit" or "down" on the comfortable spot you provided them (as previously mentioned) and have them offer you eye contact with the "watch me" command. Offer them lots of pets and praise during this training for all relaxed behaviors. Giving them long lasting treats such as a bully stick or kong stuffed with peanut butter will also help distract them and give them something positive to associate with the storm or fireworks.
What not to do - Make sure not to reward any undesired behaviors. It is most people's instinct to pet their dog, hold them, and tell their dog "it's ok" or "good dog" while they are in a terrible frame of mind, which will encourage more of the same behavior in the future. If your dog is climbing on top of you whimpering for comfort, do your best not to encourage it. Do not use any negative methods during this time frame, as it will increase your dog's anxiety and likelihood to react to storms or fireworks in the future. Do not lock your dog in their kennel during this time, it will only cause them to develop a fear of their crate as they begin to attach the storms to the crate. Try not to leave your dog alone if possible, these are the times when dogs are most likely to have incidents in the home or even try to run away. If your dog tries hiding somewhere, do your best to encourage them to come out to the comfortable spot you set up. Never get frustrated with your dog for any behaviors during this period because the behaviors are most likely involuntary, and it will only make matters worse by increasing their anxiety.
Why it works - We are slowly desensitizing our dog to the storm, and then replacing their anxiety with happiness and confidence by associating positive things. As things stand, it will be difficult to get your dog to not acknowledge the stimulus all together, so instead we will replace the actions the stimulus creates. Instead of the dog experiencing a storm or fireworks and running away, they will instead relax in their comfortable spot, sit next to you and give eye contact to make sure things are ok, or even come over with a toy to play. We have to be patient, consistent, and always follow through if we want to help our dog grow out of this stage and become a happy, well balanced, and well trained dog. This means no matter how big or small, you never miss an opportunity to reprogram the way your dog feels about a stimulus that creates an undesired behavior or emotion. Remember that 90% of behavioral issues can be solved with proper structured exercise, and a tired dog will be less reactive than a dog full of energy. If your dog is too distraught to focus on a regular treat, continue to increase the value until you can get through to them.
