Thunder

---

We really needed the rain here where I live, but when it rains, we also get thunder.  Thunder can cause problems and even death for some dogs that have been taught to fear loud noises.

It's true, many dogs are taught to fear loud noises like thunder or fireworks, even though their owners don't intend to. Humans have a tendency to treat dogs like humans, which is understandable, but our furry friends are not actually humans. It's a bad habit that can lead to unnecessary fear and anxiety in our dogs. It's time we recognize and address this issue.

Treating our dogs the way we want to be treated seems like a good idea, but it can backfire. Unintended consequences lurk behind this well-intentioned approach. It's easy to forget that dogs have different needs and desires than humans. Let's be mindful and strike a balance between love and discipline.

Teaching a dog to sit involves giving a cue, like the word "sit" or a hand gesture, and providing immediate positive feedback when they comply. We use verbal praise and petting instead of treats. If the dog doesn't comply, we give immediate negative feedback, either verbally or with a leash correction.

When it comes to training dogs, it's crucial to provide positive feedback when they do something right. Using a positive tone in your voice is key. So go ahead, use that upbeat tone and say "Good boy" right now. This is how dogs understand they're on the right track. Remember, they don't comprehend the words as much as the way you say them. Trust me, it makes a difference.

When comforting my dog after a loud noise, I might say something like "Oh you poor guy" or "shhh it's okay." The tone I use is gentle and reassuring, similar to how I reward my dog for good behavior.

So now it's time to do something most of us don't do enough of, put yourself in your dog's “shoes”.  You're relaxing, enjoying the security of your home and suddenly, a loud bang that goes on forever it seems, you are startled so you start to shake and tremble in fear, you frantically look for a safe place you can get to, this can lead to jumping the fence to escape the noise.

So, you look to your human to help you understand what’s going on, and they start to say words like "oh it's ok, don't worry" in that familiar tone you hear when you do something good, so you think this feeling you are experiencing is the right thing to do, so you are being encouraged to be afraid of that noise.

Now back into your own shoes, when your try to console your dog’s fear, you are most likely praising your dog for being afraid, each time it happens it just gets worse.

Don’t wait until the next thunderstorm or the 4th of July fireworks to start teaching your dog to learn to cope with this potentially deadly fear. Start desensitizing your dog to those loud noises now.

Make sure your dog is properly trained (not with treats) to do the “Sit, Heel & Down” once your dog is reliably doing his obedience, start to create loud noises while doing the obedience, at a distance first, then closer as your dog gets comfortable around them.  You can have someone use a clipboard and snap the clamp; it makes a bit of noise.

The next time you have a thunderstorm, put you dog on a leash and do an obedience session, be sure to let your dog know he must do the sit and heel, this will help redirect his attention to you and the obedience. Working your dog through these situations will help build his confidence, and his trust in you.

What you’ve just read are the basics to teaching your dog to be calm during a thunderstorm or a fireworks display. Most likely there are other reasons for your dog’s behavior.  Come to one of my Drop-in classes in Kingman to learn more. 

A Severe case

In the “Friends From The Pen” prison dog trainer program, we had a dog named Tiny, a Saint Bernard, she had been returned to the shelter several times for destroying the inside of the house and the backyard. The last time she jumped through a large window and ran off.

 
She was listed as unadoptable and was put on the e-list. I went to the shelter to find some dogs for the next round out at the prison, I was mainly interested in unadoptable dogs for the program, that’s when the shelter staff told me about Tiny. 

 
Within two weeks, following my instructions, the inmate trainers cured Tiny of her fear of thunder.