Do *THIS* If Thunder Scares Your Dog | How I Calm My Dogs During a Thunderstorm 

Do your dogs react to thunder this same way?

You are a GREAT dog mommy! Those dogs are very blessed to have you. I am the same with my dogs, they are my world.

The boys really migrate to you knowing you will take care of them during the storms. Sweet little things 💖💖

Oh Renee!!! My heart seeing Pollux’s legs shaking I can’t!! Poor Maxxie little baby 😔 my Gus is the same way it’s so awful. Fourth of July is a nightmare but thunderstorms are by far the worst. I have to look into those drops. Your the best dog mommy 😊💕

Poor Pollux! It reminds me of the dog we had when I was young. She would get so freaked out during storms she would hide behind the couch shaking like crazy and sometimes even throw up 😢

We have two Shih tzus (male and female siblings but from different litters). Our male Shih Tzu is terrified of storms/fireworks. We live in Northern Kentucky and from Memorial Day weekend until maybe two weeks after Labor Day, we often have fireworks blasting around us. So now that this is happening, it’s a constant battle trying to get our male shih tzu outside to potty. As soon as we open the door to let him out, he immediately sniffs the air and if he smells the gunpowder from fireworks in the air, he won’t go potty and will hold it. It’s crazy and drives me nuts. And he senses when storms approach. Vet recommended trazadone, but I just don’t like medicating him unless his anxiety is extreme. Thunder shirt works a little bit. But we found that if we put him in our closet and turn on soothing jazz, it calms him. Now our female shih tzu, we can’t get her to come in from the rain. She loves being outside. Go figure. Lol.

Imaginen what homeless dogs go through 😢

You’re the best Renee!! I wish all afraid, neglected and homeless dogs had a mommy like you!!😊❤️

Aww, poor babies! Renee', that dryer being on for Maxxie is a great idea! My dog was like Pollux, shaking and panting! I had a "Thunder shirt", which worked for the most part. The minute the first thunder started I'd say, let's get your Thunder shirt and she would go to the closet where we kept it and let me put it on her! My sweet girl!! I miss her so much!!!😢

It 's heartbreaking to see our animals afraid. Your so good with them and do everything to make them feel safe. I was so sad to see Pollux so scared, but he had his mama there to make him feel better. 🥰

Hi Renee, our pets get so scared too! We live in Perth Western Australia and a few years ago the hail was the size of golf balls and cracked our car windows, dented our car and made holes through our patio roof. Was a storm we won’t forget! Your dogs are so adorable,

I have 3 dogs, I am going to try those drops. Thanks for sharing.

We have an air fluff on our dryer so no heat. Poor babies. I used to have dogs that were thunder/ fireworks, and gun shy. It is awful for our furbabies.

Good morning Miss Renee! I hope you all are doing fine down there. I remember that storm, it wasn't even supposed to rain. I wish the rain would cool things off but it just makes it more humid. We are just a few minutes north of you in Southern Illinois, we got a pretty good hail storm about a month ago. Biggest hail I've ever seen, dimpled up my wife and my vehicle's. I don't even know if the pool would feel good this time of year. Lol But yours looks very nice! Our mini schnauzers love going for drives, but our older one, she's 5, pants like crazy. I'm surprised she doesn't pass out. And they both go nuts when people are around or when we go through drive thrus. We'll have to try this out and see how it works. Hope you have a great weekend, the news said its going to be hot for a while. It is literally difficult to breathe outside.

I love a good thunderstorm, but ::: hugs to ::: You are such a thoughtful dog mum! P.S. Rescue Remedy is good for people, too :)

I wish ALL PET PARENTS BEHAVED LIKE U & UNDERSTOOD YHE FEAR OF DTORMS 🙄😵-ITS REAL FOR THEM TOO ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

We have a similar routine in my house - my dog gets on my bed and "tunnels" under the blanket and I turn on a window ac that will make enough noise to drown out the thunder. When we were walking the other day we heard an airplane flying overhead - he thought it sounded like thunder and he (and I) had to run home! Thanks for the reminders of Rescue Remedy - will have to pick some up!

Thank you for this video and the tips, my dogs get really scared when it thunders so this was very helpful. I love Pollux and Maxxie and it is great to see how caring you are to them, they really have the most wonderful home! 💝

Do you get tornadoes where you are. I’m in Phoenix, 116 degrees and it monsoon season, high winds, dry lightning, very little rain. I’d love some of your rain.

Bless his heart. Our dog gets really nervous in bad weather too but I think Pollux is worse. I’m going to try the Rescue Remedy.

I live in Red Deer Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 we have huge thunderstorms here my dogs sleep through it I'm very fortunate it doesn't bother them. You would think they would be terrified .I have chihuahuas

Hi Renee ...we have the same problem in southern Indiana I have two cats ...one of them hides at the first sound of Thunder( I'm going to have to get some of that Rescue remedy , especially when I take them to the Vet)...They do not like the car ride,.. Thanks for the video and info Be Safe..💕🐾🦴 So good to see the Fur babies...

Please get a thunder jacket for them. IT WORKS

If only every pet owner did what you did making sure that your dogs stress levels are kept to a minimum during such highly charged events which are very common in your part of the USA Kentucky 🐎🐎🐎🌫🌪🌩⛈⚡ I have one question for you ,did your oldest daughter 👩‍🎓study at Pen University? the reason I ask is this, an old friend of mine was a Professor and Dean [head of the medical 😷 school] who took the Medical School from position 47 in the league table to position 12 his name was Professor D Kinane who studied at the University of Edinburgh medical school,even as a young student he was destined for greater things,just after he graduated he was made senior lecturer in Dental Surgery at Edinburgh University, he also held the position as Professor of Microbiology and Imunoligy at Lousivil University before comming to Pen University 🎓 {Pennsylvania University}as Dean.

Yes. Thunder and Fireworks. My dogs head straight to the basement. They look for any small cubby they can squeeze into. I purchased a muffin bed for two cubbies they took ownership of. That's their go to "safe space." We add as much distraction as we can. The clothes dryer gets turned on, in Fluff mode (cool). Loud TV show. A window air conditioner and room dehumidifier kick on in the basement. They all get employed. And we wait it out. I've tried the Rescue Remedy. It doesn't seem to have that much effect on these two, but it could be that since I adopted them at an older age, they are just set in their ways when it comes to thunder and fireworks. We do what we can, don't we. :- )

My Australian terrier Lucy is thunder and fireworks petrified! Ruby could care less! Greetings from Florida 🌴

Moving to East Tennessee from Southern California. Great tips. I was worried for my Yorkie . He hates fireworks ! Not too much thunder here but he does go under the bed . With fireworks I take him to our closet and play dog calming music on u tube . Going to get that rescue !

We had two Wire Fox Terriers. One of them was so scared of thunder or fireworks, I thought he was going to have a heart attack. We gave him Xanax (prescribed by the Vet). The other one couldn't care less about loud noises. A professional dog trainer told me to not say, "it's OK" when he shook so badly, because that would enforce negative behavior. I always thought it was just something in his make-up that made him that way. I wish they would have had Rescue Remedy back then.

Try a Thunder Shirt... My late shih tzu the most docile sweet dog became a different dog during thunderstorms.. she became terrified of thunderstorms.. Like you I used Rescue Remedy which helped a little bit but I saw a big difference once I put on her Thunder shirt.. It may help poor Pollux too...

Bless those sweet boys. Good job Renee, l didn’t know there was a rescue remedy for pets. Doesn’t your heart go out to them when they’re distressed. My new adopted cats don’t like the vacuum cleaner- so l tuck them away while l vacuum. I think l used one of Buddy’s lives when l turned it on- poor baby couldn’t get enough traction on the wood floors for a quick escape 😬

I remember as a little kid my nana told me thunder was just god rearranging his furniture 😂 I totally believed it

I had the same problem with vacuums for my dogs. So everytime I would turn it on I would give them something super delicious to eat. No other time. Eventually they would come running. Don't know about thunder.

Awwww, they’re so sweet! My GSD, Gracie, runs to one of our inner bathrooms when she knows it’s going to thunder. I put her bed in there and dim the light, and put on soft music. She can hear it long before it gets here. You could see that with your dogs when you wanted them to come outside. Im. Ordering the remedy stuff this week! Thank you!!

Geoengineered storm. Weaponized weather. Renee have u researched this? I know u don’t get political on ur channel but hopefully u would want to be aware of weather manipulation. Thx.

OMG, you should see my Morkie... She gets so bad that she almost hyperventilates. Will need to try this stuff. I live in the North East. It's been horrible heat wise and a lot of storms as well.

Yes we had this weather here through July, plus hailstones, awfull hopefully we get some sunshine in August, good luck to u rennea, xx😅

I always get so sad for the animals when storms are coming. Its so nice to see there are things to use to comfort our fur babies. Ty Renee ❤❤

Eat a teaspoon of peanut butter and your hiccups go away immediately!

I did a master's thesis on noise aversion in dogs. We really don't know what the dogs are afraid of (and it may be different for different dogs). There's the noise of the thunder, the erratic flashes of bright light, the change in barometric pressure, the build up of static electricity, and other environmental factors that occur during a storm. Any of these (or a combination of all of them) can really freak some dogs (and cats) out. You're doing great with Maxxie and Pollux!! I have a couple of other suggestions--especially for Pollux. Maxxie does well in the utility room--keep the dryer going (helps muffle the noise of the thunder) and the light on (helps block out the flashes of lightening). Do the same with Pollux--turn on some noise in your office of wherever he is (you can use music, the TV, or a white noise machine; if you use music choose soothing, classical music--dogs tend not to like hard rock!!) and turn on lights. I'd suggest a Thunder Shirt, especially for Pollux. I think that might really help him. We use a Thunder Shirt for our little girl who's afraid of all noises and it helps her a great deal. It "swaddles" the dog and keeps a constant pressure on their body. You can find one at most any pet supply store or on Amazon. Some folks may tell you not to pet them or hug them because you're "reinforcing" the fear. That is mistaken. Fear is an emotion (not a behavior) and you can't reinforce an emotion, so it's fine to cuddle Pollux, pet him, hug him, etc. Maxxie and Pollux really have a pretty mild reaction. Some dogs are truly phobic and for those dogs, medication is usually necessary (dogs have been known to jump out of high rise windows they're so afraid). If you do decide medication may be right for your dog (I don't think Maxxie and Pollux need it), be sure to let your vet know if you're giving anything like Rescue Remedy or St. John's Wort (because these can interact with some of the anxiolytic medications and you can make your dog really sick or even kill your dog; so be up front with your vet about anything you're already giving your dog!! It's fine to give these to your dog, just be sure to let your vet know you're giving them if your vet suggests medication).

What about using those thunder jackets for dogs 😮😮❤❤❤❤❤❤

Growing up, we had a cocker spaniel that would go into my mom's closet, throw out all the shoes on the floor, and hide in there during thunderstorms.

My favorite smell is Fresh rain on cement/asphalt. It relaxes me.

Luckily my dog isn’t very affected by the thunder and lightning.

Oh, poor dear babies! Pollux's reaction broke my heart. They are lucky to have you to care for them and keep them safe! Maybe Pollux needs a higher dose of the remedy, seeing as he is larger than Maxxie? Or it doesn't depend on the weight /size?

Wonderful video. I will look into the rescue remedy. Thank you.

Great seeing Max&Pollux ❤❤ My River absolutely hates storms 😢 especially lightning and wind.... I was walking him one day.. Weather not great and all of a sudden lightning struck and a rather large tree branch fell about a meter in front of him! Never has he run so fast...bless him❤ I found him cowering back at the car 🐺⚡️🌩🌬 ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Watch for rattlesnakes looking for shelter ⚠️

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have 2 of my Great Danes so scared of thunderstorms. They do the samething panting and shaking. My male Axel looks for a small place to hide and he is 209lbs it breaks my heart when they do that.

Thanks for the great and informative post👍🏻 we’ve had our lil rescue from r 4 years now. First dog we’ve had that wasn’t afraid of fireworks, thunder,the vacuum, anything. It was wonderful,UNTIL last summer when the neighbor decided to get the loudest booming fireworks.😡well now I have a rescue that is so frightened of almost anything! If she hears thunder off in the distance or fireworks,she WILL NOT POTTY,no way! So frustrating… Went on to Amazon, have you ever used the spray? Didn’t realize people can use this too! Might give my hubby a spray or two,when he’s in one f his moods😜, but really looking for our pooch!TIA

Yes, dogs and cats get very nervous in thunder and lightning storm. In Nova Scotia we had a terrible storm a week ago , lastied 24 hours.. very violent.many washout and bridges gone.. flooding. Four deaths including two young children. Nothing can prepare you from the change ... climate change. Thanks for the tips. Animals need to be called down. Pamela

Rescue remedy is great for us humans too! Trauma and shock.

Currently my dogs are not affected by storms but in the past I have used Thunder Shirts and have nothing but Positive outcomes The idea of being "hugged" is so calming for them. If you have not tried them I suggest that they would be a great addition to your rescue remedy.

A spoonful of sugar makes the hiccups go away.

So sweet. My cat is the same way. She and I just cuddle up till its over.

my cats also don't give a fluff and like to watch the rain!

Hello from the UK 🇬🇧 I love ❤️ watching your you tube videos you have soo much confidence X

Such a great Mama, Renee!!! I do some similar things for my boo too. They just don’t like the big bad storms at all. But I’m with ya….so pretty out once it’s done, barring no destruction 😅 Take Care!! ❤

I got a rescue Black Lab age 11 years who would shake, pant and drool during a storm. I got her a Thundershirt to wear and it made a huge difference. Just be sure to snug up the Velcro fasteners so the dog feels secure.

my pet is terrified if hearing fireworks outside

Thanks for sharing God bless 🙏new subscribing to your channel stay connected.👍🏻👍🏻💯💯🙏

Ok Mamna Renee...been binge watching your videos all afternoon and 😊 its official: I love your laugh 14:05😂😂😂 Reminds me alottt of the main character "Zaboo Mafoo." From a favorite TV show from my childhood. " Zab" was the Madagascan leaping Lemur who is completely mute 😅...until you give him his beloved garbanzo bean snack...❤❤❤❤then, he burps loudly, 😊😊😊spins and spins and lets out a wonderfully thrilled laugh...just like you do Renee... and tells us ALL about the fun new animals at "Animal Junction." ...I' m grown now, but I really enjoyed that show...😅 well into adulthood. I miss Zaboo.😢❤😊❤😊

when it thunders and there is lightning can you try TURNING ON THE RADIO YES I SAID RADIO TO DISTRACT THEM A LITTLE!!! 4-21-2024

Poor little babies, they break my heart😔

My Colton (RIP) would crawl into the woodwork if he could when a thunder storm or fireworks could be heard. Now my Uno doesn't mind any of those noises...odd. And like you, I tried everything with Colton. He would shake and tremble and pant...I felt so bad for him. He would even crawl behind the toilet! I swear I thought he'd rip the plumbing out at times. I hate when they're scared like that. How does your pack handle all the noise of fireworks?

Renee I’ve never been around a dog, that had anxiety and bad stress about thunderstorms until I sit with my sons dog last night. She did everything that your dog was doing shaking,Patting, and would follow me when I would get up walking almost tripping me at times, so I picked her up, wrapped a blanket around her and held her I found some music on RU-vid for dogs to calm anxiety it also worked. I’ll have to try what you did next time. Thanks for putting another great video out.! 👍🏼

I saw the weather report!! May God Bless & keep you, your family, friends, neighbors & all your pets safe!! May he keep the rescues, farm animals & wildlife safe & well! Praying prayers of protection for all of you!!

Aww poor furbabies! I'm the same, the minute I see it get dark or get an alert my dog starts shaking and panting. Even the alert on the tv scares her. Rescue Remedy does work but when its a strong storm like we had the other day...60 mph winds...I gave my Chloe the cbd for dogs and the thundershirt. Luckily it did work for her because the thunder was really loud. The desk is Chloe's safety zone too and I put classical music on the tv to drown out the loudness outside and I close the blinds. Anyway I love to see another dog momma get their furbabies safe :)

Thunder shirts have been a life saver

Living in South Florida I'm very familiar with those summer afternoon thunderstorms that have lately become stronger, louder and at any time during the day. My Sophie, a 14 year old Yorkie gets just as your Pollux, funny enough she also gets under my desk. So far all over the counter remedies haven't worked for her. I believe the can smell it in the air when the storm is coming, we are now to the point that even if it sprinkles she stars shaking. She was never trained to use the pee pad, so needing to go outside during the storm/rain and being terrified to do so only adds to the anxiety. I will definitely buy the Rescue Remedy. Thank you for sharing .

Our poor little pupper, Rosie, has storm anxiety really bad. She also has a fear of fireworks, trash trucks and driving on the highway. She has a couple safe spaces in our home. One is her kennel in our basement. I have a flat sheet covering it on all sides except the door to provide a more closed in feel for her. Her over safe space is the BATHTUB! Just the other day I was showering and brought her in the bathroom with me for comfort and she hopped in the shower with me! I felt bad for her but laughed at the same time. I’m thinking she’d have a promising career with The Weather Channel. Rose starts reacting long before the clouds even come. I guess she’s sensing the Barometric pressure. We’ve tried so many things to help her like a thunder shirt and several different calming treats. If I know a storm is coming before she starts reacting I try giving her a treat and she now refuses them because I think she knows. The calming treats are triggering for her. The only thing I found to slightly help her is to cuddle her. Her kennel is pretty big and yes, I’ve gotten in there with her once when we had tornado warning. She HATES the sirens.

We have four dogs and our oldest female pit mix is afraid of thunder, fireworks and gun shots. We moved to VA from CA 2.5 years ago so it was a big change weather wise and we live in a rural area where people shoot guns on occasion. Our poor dog is now on prescription medication as nothing worked for her and also sleeps in our bed during any event that scares her. We don't leave her at all once she starts to shake. So sad to see the pups so scared! P.S. We used to use a ThunderShirt for our dog but it doesn't work for her but maybe it will for your pups. You can add some Pheromones (drops) to the ThunderShirt to calm them.

Our beagle, Bailey used to jump into the bathtub. Our Tucker would get behind the curtains. Oliver was 15 and nothing phased him!

The dryer is a good idea! I bought a white noise machine which helped my pup. I put it on whenever fireworks were expected. I tried a Thundershirt and Rescue Remedy, neither did anything. Such a good dog mum.❤

I have 3 small and older dogs. They also are afraid of storms, thunder, lightning, all of it. But, now that they are older, they can’t hear very well and storms don’t bother them anymore. I did buy this stuff you recommended for car rides and to get groomed, but haven’t used it yet.

Hello Rene, I love seeing how you interact with your pets. Doggies and kitties. You really are so wonderful with them.

My baby standard poodle 🐩 is afraid or storms and loud noises. I bought an igloo dog house that we keep in our den. It’s his “safe house “. He definitely knows when a storm is brewing and starts getting anxious hours before it actually hits.

You didn't ask about kitties, but thought I'd tell you. My 2 older - 5 yrs and 3 yrs - cats do fine unless it's a really loud clap of thunder and it's right over the house. The little one - 21 weeks - is a little bit nervous but not too bad if she's cuddled up next to me. She likes lots of cuddles any way. So not too many problems here.

My dog is like your Pollux. I use sedatives and thunder shirt. Still she is a problem. Dryer is a good idea.

Yes my little yorkie doesn’t like storms. I’m going to try the rescue remedy. I have medication from his dr but it upsets he stomach. I’m so glad I found your channel

It was so sad seeing the dogs so scared, especially Pollux. Bless his heart! We always do the mad potty dash when a storm is coming. I think you are sending your storms from KY to us in GA. We have had a lot too!

Renee, acc to meteorologists you have been on the far edge of the ring of fire heat dome that's pretty much stuck in position. That's what's separating hot air from cooler air and where t-storms typically fire up.

Hiccup cure: get a glass of water and take 10 small swallows in a row without breathing. Your welcome 🤗

I have a shihpoo her name is Macy she’s very afraid of thunder too. She shakes & pants following me every step I make them she hides under the sofa until it stops. Snuggling helps her a little but hiding is her safe haven

I get why you do this for them but you’re actually encouraging their fear with all the spoiling. Try using the storm for train time. Then they will relate the spoiling as a reward to the training.

My Ollie is the same way as Pollex!! I just ordered the same remedy you use. I hope it will help my baby!! You are a great fur baby momma!!

Oh Renee, I have had dogs that panic in storms. I love rescue remedy and flower essences for calming. Great video

I give mine CBD oil and got a tent to put their beds in also I turn the TV up a little with back to back cartoons to give them a upbeat happy atmosphere 👍

What a good dog mummy you are❤

It has been so terribly humid here in New York as well. We live about an hour in a half north of New York City. It just doesn’t seem to want to break. My cat just hates the heavy rain and thunder. Your boys are so lucky to have you Renee ❤

Great video. I've had dogs that react in different ways but as long as they have someone to comfort them, all will be alright very soon.

Poor babies! 😕 You’re such a good dog mom 🥰 I had a kitty that hated storms, he’d hide under the covers!

Have you tried a thunder shirt on Pollux? I've heard good things about them.

I use the rescue remedy in people form they are gummies and they work well so cool knowing u can buy for animals

My dog would do the same thing but hide under our desk so I would put on classical music and turn it up kinda loud to drowned out the scary sounds and found that helped her.

The dryer - can produce a white (or different color) noise. To save energy and the use of the dryer you can get a white noise machine or your phone will have many good apps for noise (the dryer is in some!). The bread - Love you use the same bread I do, it makes me feel I'm doing something right! My cat - is also afraid of thunder, wish I knew of Rescue Remedy years ago. I'm in a Chicago suburb and we have been getting thunder here this week, off to Amazon, thank you!

My toy poodle is scared of the thunderstorms too.

Oh my goodness. Sweet babies.

Same here Renee! I live on Long Island NY and we have been getting it every two days!

You are such a good mama to your fury babies, I love 💕 it . ❤❤❤

Bless them my two dogs are the same they cry and follow me round and get under my bed till it’s gone…