We’re used to our pet dogs being energetic and playful. That’s why seeing your dog appear genuinely frightened can be shocking. It’s even more surprising if it happens out of the blue.
Of course, your dog is scared for a reason. To be more specific, the howling winds may be getting to your pet. Find out why some dogs are afraid of the wind by continuing with the rest of this article.
Change the focus
Enrichment toys are a big part of helping you conquer wind phobias in dogs. By using a Kong, a favourite puzzle or an interactive dog toy, you can distract your dog from those feelings of fear while giving them a happier association.
Just as we might try to distract ourselves from being afraid with TV, books or doing things, your dog is looking for the opportunity to do the same.
This is another reason why we stock a wide variety of enrichment toys at our Wahroonga vet clinic for you to buy. They can be used successfully in everything from recovery from surgery through to phobias in dogs.
Plus, you don’t have to have an appointment to come and view our selection or get some helpful advice from the vet nurses on what enrichment toys may help your dog. Just come on in during normal business hours and ask.
Consider a thundershirt or similar garment
Think of the calm, comforting swaddling of a baby. Now check out the dog equivalent, the thundershirt. A thundershirt is a tightly fitted yet comforting tee shirt style wrap. It fits around your dog’s shoulders and torso, attaching with Velcro.
Thundershirts feel like a big warm full body hug. They reduce the anxiety and make your dog feel sheltered, held and protected. It’s great for wind phobia and other sensitivities your family dog may face.
Applying pressure to the abdomen, the thundershirt hits a calmative point in your dog. This helps trigger natural sensations and hormones that help your dog resist the phobia and feel safe and secure.
Thundershirts do take time to work with dogs. This is especially true when introducing it to a puppy and/or a dog that is not used to wearing coverings and garments. However, the feeling that these garments and similar jackets can give can really help your dog when a phobia takes hold.
Use music to help soothe your dog
Dogs find music soothing. This is why they are commonly used with Assistance Dogs Australia to calm the puppies during training with the soothing sounds of jazz. In addition to jazz, dogs will often like classical music, ambient and instrumental tunes of a calming and soothing nature.
One of the ways you can increase the ability for your dog to self settle during a time where their wind phobia may be heightened is to play soothing music during positive moments in your dog’s day.
It hurts nothing to whack on some jazz or classical during the following moments:
This helps connect the music to happy, positive experiences. This in turn gives you the ability to use the music as a soothing agent when your dog may be distressed.
FAQ
Why is my dog afraid of the wind?
Why does my dog act weird when its windy?