15/06/2021
Thunder storms! Unfortunately this isn't a happy pup. Dexter isn't a fan of Thunder storms and he sensed one coming in the middle of our walk. This is stress panting, also check out his tucked tail.
So what do you do? Don't force anything. He didn't want to walk anymore, so we went home. I put him in his "safe place" our laundry room, closed the window and sat with him until he calmed down a bit.
Some tips to help your own dog:
-put them in a safe spot where they can't get stuck trying to hide or hurt themselves trying to escape (covered crate, smaller room)
-white noise like a radio or a fan can help drown out the noise from a storm
-cuddle and keep them company.. You cannot directly reinforce fear. Petting and snuggling isn't going to make your dog any worse. It's definitely ok to comfort them.
-if your dog is at risk of hurting themselves, speak to your vet about some calming meds to help them
Also be careful with them outside. A boom of Thunder can cause a dog to panic and bolt, jump a fence or run and hide.