Thunder Storms Predicted

[BJ.]

We have thunder storms predicted for later in the day and tomorrow. This will be our first day time storms and I was wondering about how to handle Jester to make it a non-scarey event. Last time we had a small storm in the middle of the night he did wake up and have a whinge, but he was in his crate so I ignored him and he settled back to sleep. Any tips on a day storm, he doesn't like his crate during the day so don't really want to stress by crating him when he normally wouldn't be. I have had a dog that was terrified of storms before and would prefer not to go down that route again. Both the other dogs here are not bothered at all by storms.

[R00]

Yep, get out there and play in it. Don't pander to any fear/ doubts etc. You are the pack leader, the dog should take his/her cues from you. Don't change your voice tone or anything, just business as usual.

When Erik was still very young, a storm started while I was out, as soon as it did I rang the wife and told her to get Erik out in it chasing a ball, stick whatever. Roll around in the grass etc.

[miamay]

Just remain calm and uneffected by it yourself and the dog will learn nothing changes when there is a storm................I think if the dog owner is neurotic the dog will become the same

[chloebear]

So glad you asked this question I was wondering the same thing.

[percyk]

our new one had his first encounter

and started the ole woof soft woof routine

i havent had a lot of exp with dogs who fear storms...none of mine have had a problem but this dog is a natural alert barker

so i just got some training stuff out and got him to do his routine

i wasnt giving him treats for weathering the storm..i was trying to distract him by taking his mind off the noise

like when u talk to someone who is about to cop an injection lol

dont know if it worked...he did settle but we will see next storm