So late summer sure is the time for storms, huh?
I’ve been driving in some absolute downpours recently – that included lightning – and I have to say, it was pretty wild.
One of the biggest issues with summer storms are our pets.
My boy Grayson has been bothered by storms the older he gets. Every time he starts acting odd or hiding in the tub, I know he senses the barometric pressure dropping and a storm is imminent.
I tell him I’m so sorry he’s worried and that I, unfortunately, can’t control the weather.
Canines can also be especially attuned to thunder because their senses are sharp enough to identify a drop in barometric pressure, lightning and even the smells associated with an upcoming storm.
Our family pup, Max, who was with us for 19 years, could always sense a storm’s approach. We eventually realized it may have been the static on the radio that she picked up as much as the environmental patterns, but she always freaked out when she heard thunder.
As painful as it is for animal-lovers when their babies are scared, the appropriate response is for us to do nothing. Believe me, I know it’s difficult because as humans we want to comfort, but an animal actually sees it differently.
From the dog’s perspective, this is what they think: any kind of attention is awesome. They don’t really know good from bad, they only know what gets them what they want – a pat on the head, a treat or a snuggle.
This is the foundation for training a dog – positive reinforcement of the behaviors we want to see. The “newspaper on the rump” or “rubbing his nose in it” techniques are a thing of the past. In fact, that method sometimes has the opposite effect because the dog doesn’t know what he’s done to warrant that reaction.
So, when your pup goes to the bathroom outside, a happy “good boy” and a treat will go a long way toward housetraining.
Back to the thunderstorm issue. From the way a dog’s mind works, if he’s scared of thunder and his human snuggles him and coos at him, he’s thinking, “This is so cool. I love attention and petting.”
Indeed, it’s actually reinforcing their fear response and behavior.
Now, I have to tell you, I was always just as guilty of cuddling the family pups during a thunderstorm. I am just not strong enough to walk away from them when they give me that horrified expression.
I think it’s human nature to nurture that which is frightened or smaller than us or under our protection and care. That need to comfort those in our charge is engrained in a lot of us and we can’t ignore that instinct.
For those of you looking for an answer that will not reinforce the fearful behavior, I have heard folks who have had a lot of success with a device called a thundershirt. I know, it sounds slightly medieval, but it’s actually a shirt of sorts that wraps tightly around a dog and gives him a sense of comfort through his anxiety. Keep in mind, like just about everything in life, it has helped some pups, but had little to no effect on others, so it depends on each individual canine as to its effectiveness.
I know when an animal is afraid, I’ve never wanted to be able to reason with them more and use words and have them understand me, but sadly, for as much as we humanize our pets (and that’s a wonderful way to let others see the real value of them), they are still animals and not capable of discerning their own wellness and safety.
Indeed, the fight or flight response is their instinct, kind of like nurturing is ours, and a lot of us see the “flight” when a thunderstorm comes around.
It’s the time of year for storms – so for those of you who have sensitive pups (or even cats like my Grayson), be ready to combat their fear in the best way for them and you.
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Jennifer Vanderau is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
