Updated October 2026 | By Derek (Del) Chambers, Finchley Dog Walker

Some dogs sleep through a thunderstorm without giving it a second thought.

Others hear the first distant rumble and begin pacing, panting, trembling or trying to hide.

If you’ve ever watched a dog become frightened during a storm, you’ll know how upsetting it can be.

I’ve been caring for dogs professionally around Finchley and Muswell Hill since 2011, including nervous and rescue dogs who sometimes find sudden noises particularly difficult.

One thing I’ve learnt is that we shouldn’t expect every dog to cope in the same way.

Some want to curl up beside someone familiar. Others prefer to disappear into a quiet corner and be left alone.

The important thing is to recognise what your dog needs, make the environment as safe as possible and avoid putting them under additional pressure.

Quick answer: How can I calm my dog during a thunderstorm?

If your dog is frightened by thunder, help them feel safer rather than trying to force them to be brave.

I recommend:

Keeping your dog indoors in a secure, familiar environment.
Closing windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashes.
Offering access to a familiar, comfortable hiding place.
Allowing them to seek your company or move away.
Providing calm reassurance if they want it.
Using familiar background music or television at a comfortable volume.
Avoiding walks during thunder and lightning.
Speaking to your vet if your dog experiences significant or repeated fear.

Don’t punish, restrain unnecessarily or force your dog to face the noise.

For dogs with severe noise fears, a veterinary-led plan is often far more useful than trying different calming products without professional guidance.

Why are some dogs frightened of thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms can be difficult for dogs because they involve more than one unfamiliar sensation.

There may be:

Sudden, unpredictable thunder.
Flashes of lightning.
Strong wind and rattling windows.
Heavy rain.
Changes in normal household sounds.
Vibrations and other environmental changes.

Dogs also vary in their sensitivity to noise.

One dog may hardly react, while another becomes distressed by sounds that seem relatively distant to us.

A previous frightening experience can also affect how a dog responds later.

Can dogs sense a storm before it arrives?

Some owners notice their dog becoming unsettled before they hear thunder.

Dogs may detect environmental changes people haven’t noticed yet, including distant sounds.

However, I wouldn’t assume every episode of pacing or panting means a thunderstorm is coming.

Behaviour changes can have several possible explanations, including discomfort or illness.

Signs your dog is frightened by thunder

Fear doesn’t always look dramatic.

A worried dog may show subtle changes before becoming obviously distressed.

Early signs of stress

Look for:

Becoming unusually alert.
Restlessness.
Moving closer to a familiar person.
Lip licking or yawning in context.
Refusing food they would normally accept.
Moving away from windows.
Seeking a quieter room.
Becoming unusually still.

More obvious signs

Some dogs may:

Tremble or shake.
Pace repeatedly.
Pant or drool.
Whine, bark or howl.
Hide under furniture.
Attempt to escape.
Scratch at doors.
Have accidents indoors.
Become unable to settle.

A quiet dog isn’t necessarily a comfortable dog.

Look at the whole dog and consider whether their normal behaviour has changed.

My Dog Behaviour and Body Language Guide explains how to recognise stress and discomfort.

The Dogs Trust guide to dogs frightened by loud noises also provides practical information about noise sensitivity.

1. Prepare before the thunderstorm starts

If thunderstorms are forecast, a little preparation can help reduce unnecessary risks.

I would:

Check that doors, gates and windows are secure.
Close curtains or blinds.
Prepare your dog’s familiar resting area.
Bring water within easy reach.
Put familiar bedding where your dog normally feels comfortable.
Finish necessary outdoor activities before the storm approaches.
Make sure your dog’s identification and microchip details are up to date.

For a dog with a history of severe thunderstorm fear, I’d also check that the agreed veterinary care plan is available.

Should you walk your dog before a thunderstorm?

If the weather is still safe, an earlier, ordinary walk may be appropriate.

However, I wouldn’t try to squeeze in a long walk when thunder and lightning are approaching.

If the storm is already developing, remain indoors.

The Met Office’s thunder and lightning safety guidance explains that hearing thunder means lightning may already be within striking range.

2. Give your dog a safe place to hide

Some dogs naturally head towards a particular room or hiding place when they’re worried.

It might be:

Beneath a familiar table.
Behind the sofa.
A quiet corner of the bedroom.
A comfortable space away from windows.
A familiar covered bed.
An open crate, but only if they already choose to use it happily.

I don’t believe every dog needs a crate.

The important thing is that the resting place feels safe to that individual dog.

How to prepare a quiet space

Choose somewhere your dog can access voluntarily.

Include familiar bedding and make sure the area isn’t too hot, poorly ventilated or difficult to leave.

You may be able to reduce outside noise by closing windows and choosing an internal room.

If your dog already has a favourite hiding place, it may be better to make that location safer rather than introduce something unfamiliar.

Don’t force your dog into a hiding place

Never push a frightened dog into a crate or close them inside an unfamiliar space.

Don’t repeatedly pull them out from under furniture either.

If they are safe where they are, give them the opportunity to remain there.

The PDSA guide to dogs and phobias explains how to support frightened dogs and prepare suitable resting spaces.

You can also read my guide on DIY Dens

3. Can you comfort a dog who is scared of thunder?

Yes.

There’s an old belief that comforting a frightened dog encourages them to be frightened.

That isn’t how fear works.

If your dog comes to you for reassurance, it’s fine to respond calmly.

You might:

Sit beside them.
Speak gently.
Allow them to rest near you.
Stroke them if they normally enjoy it.
Maintain a quiet, familiar atmosphere.

You don’t need to ignore a frightened dog to teach them independence.

What if my dog doesn’t want to be touched?

Respect that too.

A dog who hides, moves away or becomes tense during handling may prefer some personal space.

Don’t insist on cuddling them or massage their head and neck when they’re trying to avoid contact.

The best response depends on what the individual dog finds comforting.

4. Should I use music or the television?

Familiar background sound can sometimes reduce the contrast between quieter periods and sudden thunder.

A radio, television or gentle music may be helpful if your dog is already comfortable with it.

But keep the volume appropriate.

Turning everything up loudly may create more noise rather than less.

I wouldn’t claim that one particular type of music is guaranteed to reduce thunderstorm fear.

Some dogs find it useful.

Others prefer a quiet room.

Observe your dog’s response.

5. Can a KONG or enrichment toy help during a storm?

Sometimes.

If your dog is still relaxed enough to eat or play, a familiar enrichment activity may give them something enjoyable to do.

Possible activities include:

A suitably filled KONG.
A familiar lick mat.
A simple food search.
An easy food puzzle.
Gentle interaction with a favourite toy.

However, I wouldn’t introduce complicated new equipment while a dog is frightened.

And I wouldn’t force them to participate.

If your dog refuses food, that’s useful information. They may be too worried to engage comfortably.

Keep enrichment simple

Choose an activity your dog already knows and enjoys.

Make it easy.

Don’t turn the experience into a training test.

If they would rather hide or rest, let them.

My Dog Enrichment Toys and Tools Guide explains how I choose practical enrichment equipment.

For free activities that don’t involve buying products, see my Dog Enrichment Hub.

6. Should I use calming sprays, supplements or anxiety wraps?

Owners understandably want something that will help their dog feel better.

Products such as calming sprays, pressure wraps, supplements and herbal remedies are widely advertised.

However, I would be cautious about claims that they reliably relieve thunderstorm fear.

Individual dogs may respond differently, and the evidence for particular products varies.

Some dogs dislike wearing unfamiliar garments or find additional handling stressful.

Certain fragranced products may also be unsuitable for particular animals or households.

Speak to your vet before using a supplement, herbal preparation or calming product for a dog with significant noise sensitivity.

If considering an anxiety wrap, make sure your dog is comfortable wearing it, introduce it well before a storm and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

Never force a worried dog into a garment.

I wouldn’t use a product’s marketing claims as a substitute for veterinary advice.

7. When should you speak to your vet?

I would recommend veterinary advice if your dog:

Has severe or repeated thunderstorm fear.
Panics or attempts to escape.
Injures themselves during a storm.
Cannot settle for a prolonged period.
Stops eating or drinking because of fear.
Shows worsening reactions over time.
Suddenly develops a new fear of noise.
Has other signs that could suggest pain or illness.

Your vet can assess possible medical contributors and discuss an appropriate treatment plan.

This may include prescribed medication for some dogs and referral to a suitably qualified behaviour professional.

Medication isn’t necessarily something to consider only after every other method has failed.

For a severely frightened dog, early veterinary advice can help avoid repeated distress.

Never give human sedatives, somebody else’s medication or an unapproved product.

8. Can you train a dog to feel less frightened of thunderstorms?

Some dogs may benefit from a carefully planned programme that changes how they respond to storm-related sounds.

This usually involves gradual exposure at a level the dog can comfortably cope with, sometimes paired with enjoyable experiences.

The training should happen when there is no real thunderstorm and your dog is relaxed.

Why thunder recordings need care

Playing storm recordings at a very low volume may form part of a structured programme.

However, a recording cannot reproduce every aspect of a real thunderstorm.

A dog may also react very differently to recorded and real sounds.

If your dog has significant noise fears, I would seek professional guidance rather than trying to make them tolerate progressively louder thunder.

Never play loud storm recordings to test whether your dog has improved.

Don’t expose a frightened dog to real thunderstorms as a training exercise.

For structured information, see Dogs Trust’s sound therapy resources.

9. What if you’re walking your dog when thunder starts?

Thunderstorms can arrive surprisingly quickly, particularly during warmer weather.

If you hear thunder while outside, prioritise reaching suitable enclosed shelter safely.

Don’t continue your normal walking route just to complete the planned exercise.

Avoid exposed hills, isolated trees, bodies of water, metal fences and places at risk of flooding.

Keep your dog securely attached using suitable equipment and avoid lead corrections or shouting if they become frightened.

What about woodland walks?

Around East Finchley and Muswell Hill, I sometimes use local areas such as Cherry Tree Wood, Coldfall Wood and Highgate Wood.

These can be enjoyable places for appropriate walks, but woodland is not a safe place to remain during lightning.

I would rather avoid the route or return to suitable shelter than take an unnecessary risk.

The Met Office’s advice on staying safe in lightning explains why sheltering beneath trees is dangerous.

I have been in Highgate Woods when there was a sudden lightning bolt, and it was frightening the way it travelled up the tree, across, and down another

10. What if my dog refuses to go outside to toilet?

Some dogs become reluctant to leave the house during or after thunderstorms.

I wouldn’t force a frightened dog outside simply to maintain the normal routine.

If there is active thunder or lightning, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.

Wait until conditions are safe.

Then offer a brief, calm opportunity to toilet somewhere familiar.

For dogs who continue to struggle, a veterinary or behavioural care plan may be appropriate.

Your dog’s welfare matters more than completing a particular walk or keeping to the usual timetable.

11. Thunderstorms, rescue dogs and nervous dogs

Not every rescue dog is frightened of storms, and not every dog who fears thunder has experienced trauma.

However, dogs who are already sensitive to unfamiliar sounds or environments may need additional consideration.

I’ve found that predictable routines, quiet handling and appropriate choice can make a meaningful difference to many nervous dogs.

During a storm, I’d avoid unnecessary visitors, repeated handling or trying to teach several new skills.

Let the dog settle where they feel most comfortable.

If a dog has recently arrived in a new home, keep expectations realistic.

They may not yet have developed a familiar resting place or established routine.

My Rescue Dog Support in Finchley page explains the kind of practical support I provide.

12. How I handle thunderstorms during professional dog care

Safety comes before completing a scheduled walk exactly as planned.

If thunder or lightning creates a risk, I won’t continue a normal outdoor dog walk.

Depending on the circumstances, I may adjust the visit, provide a brief toilet opportunity when safe or use calm indoor enrichment instead.

I don’t transport dogs in vans or combine dogs from unrelated households.

My one-to-one approach allows me to consider the individual dog’s needs and the conditions around their home.

My Extreme Weather Policy explains how I manage thunderstorms and other unsafe weather.

For ordinary weather-related walking questions, see How Weather Affects Dog Walks.

If your dog is nervous or needs a more individual approach, you can read about my Solo Dog Walks and One-to-One Training Support.

My training support is practical, reward-based assistance, not clinical behavioural treatment.

Frequently asked questions about dogs and thunderstorms

Why does my dog shake when there’s thunder?

Shaking can be one sign of fear or distress. However, trembling can also have other medical causes. If the reaction is severe, new or unusual, seek veterinary advice.

Should I ignore my dog when they’re frightened?

No. If your dog seeks reassurance, it’s fine to comfort them calmly. Respect their choice if they prefer to hide or be left alone.

Is it safe to walk a dog during a thunderstorm?

Avoid normal walks during thunder and lightning. The Met Office advises seeking suitable enclosed shelter if you hear thunder while outside.

Can I leave my dog alone during a storm?

Some dogs cope well, but a dog with known severe storm fear may be at risk of panic or injury. Arrange suitable care where possible and speak to your vet about managing repeated episodes.

Do ThunderShirts work?

Some owners report benefits from pressure garments, but they don’t work for every dog and shouldn’t be presented as guaranteed treatment. The dog must be comfortable wearing the garment.

Can a dog grow out of thunderstorm fear?

Not necessarily. Noise fears can persist or worsen. Appropriate early support may improve coping, but the outcome varies.

Can thunderstorm fear start in an older dog?

Yes. Noise sensitivity can develop or change with age. Sudden changes warrant veterinary assessment because pain, illness or sensory changes may contribute.

Can I play thunder sounds to get my dog used to storms?

Sound recordings may be useful in carefully planned programmes, but playing them too loudly can worsen fear. For significant noise sensitivity, seek qualified guidance.

What should I do if my dog panics?

Prioritise safety, secure exits, reduce exposure and allow access to a familiar safe place. Contact your vet for advice, particularly if the dog is at risk of injuring themselves.

Final thoughts

Thunderstorms can be frightening for dogs, and no single solution works for everyone.

Some dogs want to sit beside you.

Others prefer a familiar hiding place.

Some will accept a simple food activity, while others won’t want anything to do with treats or toys until the storm has passed.

My approach is to make the surroundings safer, reduce unnecessary pressure and pay attention to what the dog is communicating.

You don’t have to ignore them, force them to be brave or buy a collection of calming products.

If their fear is severe or becoming worse, early veterinary help is far more important.

And when the thunder starts, an ordinary walk can wait.