We got a GSD a couple months ago and I’m wondering now that spring is soon approaching how she’ll fare during spring and summer thunderstorms. Our previous hound was terrified of t-storms and if one happened at night used to break out of her crate, hurdle the baby gate in the kitchen, run up the stairs and jump into bed.
I do NOT want the new dog to break her crate, run up any stairs, or jump into our bed. What do you do to prevent dog freak outs with thunderstorms?
There are ‘cuddle jumper’ type products available - essentially a garment that you put on the dog that is elasticated so as to be gently closefitting - the dog supposedly feels like it is being hugged. We have something like this (except it was designed primarily as a fashion/cold weather garment for the dog) and it works a charm in keeping our excitable and nervous little doglet calm and quiet.
Not all dogs freak out at storms. The dog books I’ve read stress the importance of not telegraphing an expectation that they’ll freak out. They are very sensitive to your expectation. Your indifference to the storms may/can help the dog to also be indifferent. The owner’s fussing and comforting can often unintentionally reinforce the very behaviour you’re trying to avoid.
Good Luck !
Yeah, our two current mutts aren’t bothered by storms, but we’ve had dogs in the past that were. If you do have one that’s a nut about them, you might try L-Theanine. I’ve heard some people have had success calming dogs with it. Good for anxiety in humans, too.
In fact, it’s called a Thundershirt!
My dog hates his (he doesn’t like wearing clothes full stop) so it doesn’t walk for all dogs, but I’ve heard it works for many.
We’ve just given into the ‘dog sleeps on the bed’ thing. But then, he’s a maltese, so bar the snoring we hardly know he’s there.
We stay awake together until the storm passes.
I’m wondering whether there’s any family member who would let your GSD regularly spend the night in his or her room, crated or not. Dogs are pack animals. If you let your dog establish their denning space with a family member, it might help with any anticipated issues, as well as making them more integrated into your family in general. It’s an easy way of giving them more “together” time without having it be highly interactive. Just a thought.
If you do experience any issues, I’ll second the thunder shirt. It works well for some dogs. If for some reason it doesn’t work, then speak to your vet. There are other options, but they are usually prescribed.
The Thundershirt did nothing for our dog and was a pain to get on and off. We now give him calming treats as soon as we hear thunder. I’m not really convinced they help, either, but they do no harm and make us think we’re doing something about it.
My dog always has adverse reactions to thunderstorms with trembling and endless pacing. Absolutely nothing seemed to help and my dog’s reaction would upset me. Then I discovered electric shock therapy. It’s not for the dog but the storm has usually passed by the time I regain consciousness.
That’s the official product I was thinking of, but I’m pretty sure any close-fitting stretch garment will do it. I just use a very generic ‘dog sweater’ that we picked up in a pet store - the moment I put it on the dog, she calms right down. I hear it works for most dogs, but like anything, there will be troublesome exceptions.
Here’s a method that helped one of our dogs in the past:
https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20880330&postcount=56
If you’re yet to see evidence of distress in storms, why buy trouble? As elbows said, make sure you’re staying calm throughout. You could even start by playing recordings of thunder noises (YouTube), starting with short bursts at low volume and increasing over time, with positive reinforcement for calm acceptance.
A Thundershirt cuts my dog’s anxiety by about 50%. It’s not a cure but it definitely helps.
Sailboat that’s adorable. 
I hadn’t heard this before but sounds instinctively like a very good idea. Thanks all for the great suggestions.
I’ve done this with 3 seperate dogs and none of them ended up being afraid of storms. Since they were puppies I just sat and ignored the storm and ignored the dogs reaction to it and read a book or something. They’re a bit frantic at first and try to see how you react as if asking “OMG! Did you hear that! What was that? What are we going to do!” When I fail to give any reaction, eye contact or otherwise, they end up sitting next to you looking back and forth between your face and the window itching to get some kind of feedback from you. After a while they just sort of figure “if alpha dog don’t care, I don’t care.”
Unlike our friends who dogs are terrified of storms. I was there once and and a storm blew in with some thunder. Their kids would scream and giggle, the parents raised their voices and ran around frantically looking out windows. “OMG! Are the car windows closed! Are the bikes outside!” Dogs must have thought the house was under attack.