Donna has spent most afternoons this week tense and worrying about the possibility of rain and thunder in the afternoons. I said “possibility” because sometimes she stands shivering, with her tail tucked even when it is bright and sunny outside and 2 hours before it actually starts to rain. Does the air pressure change as early as 2 to 3 hours before it rains? Anyway, that’s Donna guarding the bedroom door in case the rain comes in down the hallway. Life gets stressful for this dog sometimes.
Evening tug games to alleviate the stress.
More relaxed.
Most relaxed.
Laika
We dogs know things. I know, for example, always a few hours before, if we are visited by guests.
Emmadog
That is a bummer she is so scared of storms. My big sis Katie is scared of thunder and of gun shots (in the fall they hunt in the fields not far from our house). Bailie and I could care less, and Mom is thankful for that.
Susan C. Willett
Thunder can be scary for some dogs; I’m lucky that neither my dogs or cats care much when it’s thundering. I spend a lot of time giving them treats during storms when the dogs were puppies, and I’m sure that helped a bit. ;-)
–Woofs (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Roxy the Traveling Dog
Poor Donna, i’m sure she does feel the storms coming. They are so much more sensitive.
Kyla
Don’t come here in summer, we have lots of lightening, thunder, rain, and wind just before twilight in June through September. These can come in any combination or permutation. My favorite is lightening with no rain or thunder. In any combination, we all enjoy the show and there’s no fear from anyone.
goldenwoofs
Just have to find a creative way to distract their attention. We don’t like rain too especially if there’s thunder. Be Safe. Have a wonderful Sunday. Golden Woofs
Miley
Oh no, we are so sorry to hear about your stress. Looks like you have a great distraction techniques! Good luck, hope the storms stay away!
2browndawgs
I think they do know when storms are coming. The barometer falling may be an indication to them. Glad you found a way to distract her.
M. K. Clinton
Bentley is nervously waiting for our storms to hit. They are an hour or so away, but he knows they are coming. He is definitely NOT a fan!
Dakota/Caren/Cody
Poor baby! Hope the thunderstorms leave you alone!
Dogs N Pawz
Every time we have an earthquake, the dogs get up and move around right before. Makes me wonder if they know it is getting ready to hit! Hope you didn’t have thunderstorms and Donna is okay!
dollythedoxie
Have you tried a Thundershirt? i don’t like thunder either but only when I hear it. Sounds like Donna can feel it coming. Love Dolly
Lindsay
Aww, poor girl. My parents have a dog who is very scared of storms too. I am glad to see you were playing tug to help get rid of some of her stress. I think that’s such a great idea!
OhMelvin
I’m sad for her yet so happy she has you to go through life and stressful moments with! We learned in science that some leaves will turn upwards several hours before it rains — if trees can sense it, I’m most certain our dogs can!
Will and Eko
Very interesting how the behavior starts well before the storm. What have you found to be the most effective way to deal with the stress on a long term basis? Luckily Eko could care less about storms, but who knows with pup number two.
weliveinaflat
I hope pup number two will be just like Eko. I have a long grandmother story about the most recent developments with Donna’s thunder phobia just published here – http://weliveinaflat.com/blog/donna-shelter-thunder-phobia/ – if you are interested :P
Jan K
Our golden retriever Moses definitely knew when a storm was coming. We often thought he must have heard the thunder off in the distance. But he would get nervous long before we ever heard anything!
At first it was only thunder that bothered him, but later just rain would. I think he thought the rain would always bring thunder with it.