Pet question.
 

At the risk of asking what may seem to be a silly question about weather..we are planning an upcoming visit to TV with our dog, Ivy. Ivy has however, in the past several months, developed a hyperventilating fear of thunderstorms. I know when my Mom lived in Florida, it typically rained a short while every day. Is that the case in TV, and if so, is it accompanied by thunder & lightning? Does it typically occur near the same time each day? We hate to medicate the dog unless absolutely necessary…but hate leaving her home even more! We have had an unusually excessive number of thunderstorms this spring & summer. (Pittsburgh, PA)

Thanks in advance! ☔️
Sandy

Your mom's experience is very accurate.

Thunderstorms are typical this time of year in Central Florida. You can expect them daily often starting some time in late afternoon and ending late at night. They're usually not constant, you'll get a lot of noise at 5pm, then it starts pouring. Then 20 minutes later the sun comes out, and an hour later the clouds roll in again with lightning and thunder until maybe 8. Then at 9 you get another 20 minutes of noise and crackles, and another set maybe at 10:30ish.

This can happen every day for two weeks, or it might happen just two days and stop. The weather here is predictably unpredictable. Expect rain, thunder, and lightning in August, every evening. That way when it turns out to be a nice night you can be happily surprised.

Bring your dog.

When there has been some thunder and lightning recently, it has been only for a short bit (I'm speaking about the Spanish Springs area). Not nearly enough to not bring your dog if that's what you were intending to do.

ThunderShirts for Dogs .
 

ThunderShirt for Dogs - Calming Wrap ThunderShirt for Dogs - Calming Wrap


It does not work for all dogs but the ThunderShirt works most of the time for our pooch. The Doggie Doo Run Run goers had recommended it.

It works best if you get the animal wrapped in the ThunderShirt before the thunder starts.


Doggie Doo Run Run is a 10 acre private dog park up CR101 about 5/6 of a mile north of Southern Trace Shopping Center. That is north of CR466. Belvedere Boulevard becomes CR 101 after it crosses CR101.

Usually afternoon and evenings this time of year. Thunder can be very loud due to Florida flat terrain. Usually lot of lightning.

Two nights ago, the thunderstorm that went on for about 2 hours dumped seven inches of rain. Yes, that was a big one, but you can almost count on them daily from mid-June through September. And we found that "undershirts" don't work. Good luck...

Thunder Treats!
 

Conditioned our dog to love thunder. Pretty easy as she is very food motivated. Every rumble we just smiled and announced Yay! Thunder Treats! (In our very best happy voice). Reward was always something she could not resist...meat, hot dog, whatever. She now comes running to us with a wagging tail every time it thunders. Gets lots of pets, "atta girls" and a few treats.

visiting after rainy season would be a better time. You don't say when you are coming down. Be aware September is the height of hurricane season. Better off coming down Nov to avoid issues.

Another vote for the Thundershirt. Worked well on my rescued Greyhound.

They do not work on all dogs. But certainly help with mine.

We have been getting thunderstorms regularly in the afternoons/ evenings lately. Good luck

Back in Michigan our dog was not a fan of thunderstorms but they were infrequent. If she was outside and heard thunder she would immediately start scratching at the door to come inside. Now in Florida full-time for over a year the everyday thunderstorms do not bother her unless it's a very close lightning strike. She doesn't hide in the bathroom like before but she is on alert. I am amazed at how she has adapted as I thought it was going to be a big issue.

. I find it 50/50 with the lightning and thunder here in Florida. Some places are like 40/60 I other states

Thank you for all of your responses. We are coming down in the first week of October.