Does Your Dog Hide During Thunderstorms?

[NottaVillager]

We have a 200 pound English Mastiff who's still in the "puppy" stage and at the slightest thump of thunder she heads for one of her "bomb shelters" in the house. Her favorite spot to hide is at the far, far end of my wife's walk-in closet (if that door's open) or if that isn't available she either climbs under my desk in the office or into the bathtub. She once tried hiding under our bed. Of course only her head fits under the bed, so there's all the rest of her hanging out on the floor. Do any of your pets head off to their "bomb shelter" during the T-Storms?

[DonH57]

Yes. We have a chocolate lab/ german short hair pointer mix that is scared of thunder. He either hides under the computer desk or follows me like a shadow everywhere I go.

[echo11]

We have set up a "man cave" for our dog. He is extremely noise sensitive. We have even turned off the ice maker for him. He is spooked by the noise of the ice dropping. His safe place is the master bedroom walk in closet. We have a small open travel crate on one side of the closet and a blanket on the other side for him. He has a thundershirt. "In a dog's ear" is a company that puts out calming music for dogs. We put the music on an IPod shuffle and play it on a little speaker in the closet. We just moved from the northeast and have never experienced storms like like. Once the storm is over, he has been bouncing back quickly. We don't know if he will ever adjust to the thunder.

[jdsl1998]

You bet ya....he's only 4 pounds so it's under the bed or wadded up in a blanket right beside us...

[Vernster]

I have a miniature poodle hearing ear, certified service dog that was never afraid of thunder storms but, lately becomes terrified at the sound of thunder. She will stick to my side and shake and will beg to be picked up. If during the night , she will climb under the covers next to me. A "thunder shirt" helps somewhat.

[Steph]

From California where thunder and lightning are almost non-existent. The first storm I was here, we (dog and me) sat on the couch and I acted nonchalant and petted him through it. He has been fine ever since until that doozie a few days ago. When I jumped in the bed and pulled the covers up, he went under the bed. I was not a good role model!

[2BNTV]

The first week I was in TV, a house burned down. That seemed to make me think twice about buying a home.

Last weeks storm was a strobe light disco effect, as I have several solar tubes in my home.

I thought about getting into bed and pulling the covers over my head, and wait until it was over. If I had a dog, he probably would have looked at me, like I was a big scareddy cat :D

Maybe it's lightning rod time. :smiley:

[Cedwards38]

We have two dogs, one of which is frightened by storms. We purchased her a Thundershirt, and that seems to help. Got ours on Amazon.

[redwitch]

Friend has a collie that insists the bathtub is hers at the first hint of thunder. You can't get her out of it for love nor money until the storm is over.

One of my cats insists on sitting in the lanai. I'm sure she thinks the thunder and lightning is made just for her entertainment. The other one thinks I should protect her from that mean ole noise.

[NottaVillager]

We have two dogs, one of which is frightened by storms. We purchased her a Thundershirt, and that seems to help. Got ours on Amazon.
Our beastie has a Thundershirt which she's not very fond of. She would much prefer to hide in the closet.

[Jaggy]

My little dog - during the last few storms - shakes like a leaf.. I read somewhere on this greatness called internet that rubbing a dryer sheet over the dog's coat will help.. I tried it, thought it was crazy ( dogs pick up the static elec) . well, she quit shaking and will only twitch those big ears of hers at thunder.. so try it !! It has worked so far..

[DDoug]

We have 2 american cockers and when it thunders they wake up look at us we tell them its ok and back to sleep they go. They could care less

[marianne237]

Poor Scooter has to take a med to try and calm her down, plus a thunder shirt. We bought ours at the pet store in the strip mall on 101 across from Crispers. The shirt helps a little. When it flashes from the lightning, she heads for the bath tub. We've placed a rug in there for her to curl up on. Feel so sorry her.

[Barefoot]

Most of my dogs have been afraid of thunder. I think it's a normal reaction to loud noises. I've noticed that my little dog has become more afraid, now that he has cataracts. I was told by a dog trainer to act nonchalant during a storm. Of course that doesn't help if you're hiding under the bed yourself.

[Lauren Sweeny]

I have used BASCH Rescue Remedy drops for calming dogs. I use the lozenges myself to calm me after a harrowing experience ( as in nearly being hit by another vehicle etc). I have heard about a here nome

[Lauren Sweeny]

I meant "pheromone " that you plug into a wall that also calms dogs . The only thing I have actually used is the Rescue Remedy that works for both humans and dogs . I do try to maintain a calm demeanor but the storms have been so close hitting, noisy, long lasting and violent that it is hard to maintain a calm disposition myself!!

[redwitch]

I meant "pheromone " that you plug into a wall that also calms dogs . The only thing I have actually used is the Rescue Remedy that works for both humans and dogs . I do try to maintain a calm demeanor but the storms have been so close hitting, noisy, long lasting and violent that it is hard to maintain a calm disposition myself!!

Do be careful using Bach's Rescue Remedy -- there is a formula for humans which contains alcohol and one for animals with no alcohol. It is not good to give animals, especially cats, the human formula.

[NottaVillager]

There's a very good product out there called Calm-Pro. You buy it online, you can't get it at PetCo or PetSmart. When you wipe away all the scientific gobbledegook it's essentially turkey & beer. It's a chewable pill and works very well. Number of pills given is based on the animal's weight. It tends to make them relaxed and sleepy. The problem is, if a storm comes along you can't get it into them quick enough for it to be of any real help. But..if you have a day where the forecast is calling for a good chance of storms, if you give some ahead of time, it may be a great help.

[MicheleE]

Our one dog is scared to death when it just starts to get dark and cloudy outside. The real fear sets in once the thunder starts. We've got a thunder shirt for him and that helps a little bit but he's right under my legs when I walk of sitting on my lap if I am sitting. If the storm is really loud, he throws up. I feel so bad for him......

[Barefoot]

If the storm is really loud, he throws up. I feel so bad for him......

I feel bad for him too. Have you talked to your Vet about a sedative? Normally I wouldn't suggest that, but it sounds as if your dog has an extreme phobia.

[NottaVillager]

Most of my dogs have been afraid of thunder. I think it's a normal reaction to loud noises. I've noticed that my little dog has become more afraid, now that he has cataracts. I was told by a dog trainer to act nonchalant during a storm. Of course that doesn't help if you're hiding under the bed yourself.
I'm in what's probably a small minority who feels very comfortable during storms so I have virtually no problem being nonchalant. In fact the best sleep I ever get is if there's a big T-Storm booming away outside. Puts me right to sleep.

[echo11]

Another non-prescription pill that can be given to dogs and cats for anxiety is Anxitane. It is a green tea derivative. Since it takes a while to see results, it has to be given ahead of time on an ongoing basis. Like any other remedy, it works for some dogs, but not all.

[Lovey2]

We have 2 Ragdoll cats. The bigger and older one cries, and then hides as soon as she hears a continual thunderstorm. Usually in my closet, where we have a pillow for her, or under one of the beds. The other one seems unaffected, aside from wanting to be inside rather than on the lanai.

[casita37]

My husband used to have a huge German Shepherd, a smaller mixed Shepherd and a 10-12 lb. Schipperke. He had a large double window in his living room. (This was all before me.) He said during a storm, the GS and the MS would hide wherever they could find a spot the quickest. The Skip would stand at the window and bark fiercely at the lightening. I always thought it would make a great cartoon strip.

[Bonanza]

My previous Doberman cringed and shook and would hide in the bathtub at the slightest hint of thunder.

Our little galcurrently barks at thunder and makes us laugh.

[CFrance]

First golden shook like crazy no matter how nonchalant we acted. He was never afraid till age 2--we were anchored out in a Lake MI harbor and a thunderstorm came through. Bimini rod came loose and banged the whole time along with the thunder. That was it for the next 11 years.

Our second and present golden was by himself when a big storm came through late last winter. After that he started to be concerned, but the frequency of the thunderstorms lately has actually helped. He just ignores them now, but makes sure he's in whatever room I'm in.

[zcaveman]

I had a dachshund that used to hide behind the toilet when the thunderbooms started. She preferred to stay there instead of getting into my lap.

I could never coax her out. If I knew the thunderbooms were coming, she would sit in my lap.

Z