Reassurance during thunderstorms?

[SK166]

My 8 month old lab puppy hasn't really experienced many storms, at least not since he was tiny. He's currently lying on my feet looking none too pleased at the weather outside!

He's not overly distressed (not barking or whining or anything), but he's clearly a bit anxious. His ears are back and he's panting, wants to be touching me and absolutely not going to fall asleep like he normally would at this time. He was conked out before the thunder started.

Anyone know the best strategies for putting him more at ease? I don't want to reinforce his anxiety by giving too much attention but equally want to reassure him and let him understand that storms are no problem.

Poor little thing.

Don’t make a fuss OP, the usual cuddles but don’t show him you’re worried.

I have just taken mine (almost 20month old) outside for a pee in spectacular lightening and thunder.

Mine has been nervy with that previously but we had one a short while ago and it was in the day so I took him out and played ball during it. This time he didn't bother at all although I did stand outside with him like I sometimes do for his nightly pee.

Therefore I think the more you just ignore it and do what you normally do the better so they don't 'think it's a big deal'.

It's a bit late for this storm, but have you come across thunder shirts? They're meant to be calming, and can be combined with Adaptil

I took mine out for a late night walk so I could watch the lightning. Totally ignored the thunder, though he did start heading home when the heavens opened!

Don't give any extra attention to the puppy/dog just turn up TV and carry on with your evening

I've always tried to make a meal time during their first storm, to create a nice association (works for fireworks too).

Then just keep everything relaxed and unbothered.

Haven’t tried this yet but listened to a podcast about it - sound therapy developed by the Dogs Trust. www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-behaviour-health/sound-therapy-for-pets

Good tips everyone - thank you! I think playing games with him outside during the next one is a great shout. We’re due some daytime thunder today so will give that a go.
He did eventually settle last night, reluctantly! Only time he barked was when I put him to bed and went to brush my teeth. He wasn’t pleased about me being in another room!

I don’t think it’ll take too much to sort it out though - he’s a pretty easygoing dog in general.

You can not reinforce fear in dogs - the idea that comforting a dog when they are fearful will make them worse is not correct. It may not help but it will not make them worse

Patricia Connell world renowed behaviourist article you cant reinforce fear

In the situation of an slightly anxious dog hearing his first thunderstorm I would feed and play the best game . So thunder storm = fun.

I always give enough reassurance so they know I can hear it and care for their well-being but not so much that they think I am scared too.

It was Elfpups first full storm too. He looked a bit worried at first but soon picked up from us that we were clearly not bothered so he wasn't either.

A nice game of ball in the sitting room during the downpour and he was totally chilled about it.

Yesterday's thunder didn't turn into an actual storm in the end, but we did go out while it was rolling and played some fetch. He wasn't fussed at all so hopefully that helped, but then again he's always much more relaxed about things in daylight. Night time seems to put him a bit more on edge generally, so we'll see how he goes next time there's an evening storm!

I have just checked in to MN to see how other dogs are coping.....my Springer is so laid back about storms (and fireworks ) that I think he is abnormal. We are in the middle of some spectacular weather at the moment and he is totally chilled.

I suspect it is partly the gun dog genes and partly that the rest of the family has never got stressed.

You can get various CDs, apps, etc with different recordings of things like thunder, fireworks, lorries, etc to help desensitize puppies to a range of noises that might scare them. Normally they say to play the noise quietly at first when your pup is relaxed or doing something else, and next time play it a bit louder, and so on. The one I've used most recently was an app called Sound Proof Puppy, but I've also used a CD in the past with a previous dog who was very scared after firework night.

There’s a full-on thunderstorm happening right now and other than one startled woof at the first thunderclap, which was very loud and sounded like it was right over our house, he’s perfectly chilled as you can see ...

I tend to go with brisk cheeriness so as not to reinforce the possibility of it being scary.

Fear is an emotion and not a behaviour. You cannot reinforce an emotion. They can't help what they feel and if reassurance is what they need, give it to them.

I’ve got one terrified and one slightly unsettled. Terrified gets cuddles for the duration of the storm as she’s literally shaking and can’t be distracted. Slightly unsettled is fine as long as he’s not alone, so for storms overnight I have to go down and sit with him for a bit until he settles again but just my presence is enough.

It’s a huge problem for my terrified one. Firework night/NYE we can medicate for but it’s not possible for random storms and I hate seeing her so upset.