How often have you noticed your wonderful calm pet turn into an over-anxious scared critter when a storm is coming. . . or during the fourth of July? Of all the dogs I had, only two of them were just like that. They were both small dogs but this can happen with any size dog. In fact, I knew by looking at them that a storm was coming. There is something in the barometric pressure that the dogs can sense before it is even here. We always joked about it that they were our “stormy weather dogs”.

A dog’s ears are much more sensitive to these loud sharp noises such as thunder and firecrackers. Usually they will try to retreat, (escape) somewhere to “get away from the noise”. You can try to create a safe place from your pet’s perspective, if you would take notice of where your pet goes when in fear and encourage them to go there during these disturbing times for them.

Don’t pick up your pet and/or snuggle them right in the middle of their fears because you are relaying to them “It is O.K. to be scared, go right ahead”. You may talk to them, try to calm them down, show them their safe place to go, be there with them but don’t actually cuddle them until they are calm, to reinforce to them that is O.K. to be calm during these abrupt noises.

You can try to distract them as well with similar noises, a loud radio or TV, something distracting and comparably noisy.   You can also try to substitute his fears with playing his favorite game with you to get his mind off of what is actually happening at that time. Be sure to reward with a lot of praise and treats when playing and he will learn he does not need to be afraid. You can try to give them Benadryl as a small sedative. Call your own personal vet for his advice on this particular subject, and how much to give your pet according to their size. It does calm them down and help them sleep.

By no means crate your dog by which it will only increase his fears if he feels “trapped” and can't get away to his safe place. Don’t make him feel “naughty” by reprimanding him. Fear is part of anxiety, not part of being a bad dog.

You can try a dog training class where they teach your dog by taping loud noises, introducing them to the dog in small segments until at the loudest point the dog is no longer fearful. It can be done.

Just be patient with your pet, let them feel safe at all times and I am sure you can, through these anxious periods in your pet’s life. Your pet will learn comfort from you rather than the fear from noises.