With a warning for thunderstorms across the entirety of Northern Ireland tomorrow, it's a timely reminder of the steps we can take to support our dogs who are noise sensitive and might find the thunderclaps worrying. Dogs are also sensitive to changes in air pressure and static electricity, and can smell weather coming in, so stress levels may increase even before a storm starts. Similar advice applies for fireworks season.
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Toilet before the weather hits
Take your dog out for toileting before the worst weather starts, and ensure your equipment is in good order and well-fitted in case of a sudden startle that causes your dog to break loose.
Use herbal scents and remedies where these are helpful
I really like the Pet Remedy spray and diffuser, I also like the DorWest skullcap and valerian tablets, these have hugely helped Kingsley in the past, particularly for fireworks season. Camomile added to food can also be beneficial.
Drown out the sound
This could be a white noise playlist on YouTube or the radio. In our house we have a big steel floor fan which is quite noisy but the dogs aren't bothered by it, so I tend to put that on and it masks the sound really well. There are lots of businesses that do dog snoods for covering their ears such as Soothe and Settle as well.
Contact and pressure
The Adaptil Thundershirt is another great way to aid anxiety by applying gentle pressure. Doing some TTouch techniques may also be helpful.
Keep them occupied with enrichment
You didn't think I'd write a blog and NOT talk about enrichment, did you?
Enrichment can provide both a distraction during the storms but also outlets for calming behaviours.
You can do DIY enrichment using loo roll tubes and Amazon boxes, plastic bottles and loads of other things (more detailed blog here), or you can offer your dog a long-lasting enrichment toy like the cage shredding balls, foraging bag and foraging blanket.
Licking, chewing and shredding are all calming behaviours - try some lickimats or Kongs with yoghurt or pastes, long lasting natural chews or olive branches or briar root, or a wool shredding ball to decompress.
Build a den
Provide your dog with somewhere safe and cosy to retreat if that is what they need. If their crate is their safe space, add extra blankets and bedding, and drape the crate to provide extra soundproofing.
And finally...
Don't listen to people who tell you not to comfort your dog
There's some really rubbish advice out there, but of all the crappy bits of advice, this one probably bugs me the most. If your dog is stressed - whether that's whining, barking, circling / pacing, whatever that may look like - offer them comfort. That might be soothing words or physical contact if that is what they need. Leaving them to "cry it out" is not helpful!
Hopefully this was useful - contact me through the website or DM me on socials with any queries!