Are most dogs scared of thunder storms?

Question

My German shepherd is scared to death of thunder storms. She will lay in the corner trembling. I know German shepherds can be cautious, nervous, etc. But do most dogs do this?

Answer 1

i know i am

Answer 2

Its a frequent characteristic of dogs who have been chained outside. I've only known a few dogs who were afraid of storms and all had been chained at some part of their life. I'm trying herbal treats for my rescued belgian shepherd who has been chained for the first 8 years of her life. It takes 4 weeks for results say the treats. I'm a skeptic, but if I notice any difference I'll gladly email you if you like.

Answer 3

yes my dog is terrified and when its the fourth of july he goes insane

Answer 4

ys.. most dogs do this

Answer 5

I think there ears are sensitive to the noises .

And appear 10 times louder then to us .

Like fire trucks for example .

My dog acts the same and shes a rotwriller .  

Answer 6

Some are some aren't.  The worst thing that one can do is tell her it is "Okay" and treat her like a human baby.  This will only reinforce the fear.  The best thing to do is treat her like nothing out of the ordinary is going on.  Dogs "read" your body language and attitude.  If you act like everything is okay, then they will either go along with it or at least have less stress when dealing with their scary issue.  She most probably will "fear" thunderstorms her entire life.  But as long as you don't make a big issue out of it, you will help keep her stress levels down.  I have had two dogs that were horrified by thunderstorms.  I would let them in the house to find their comforting "hidy" places, and let them ride the storm out.  In the beginning they would fuss and moan, I would just say to them, "Oh, knock it off!".  In other words, I did not approve of their behavior and also gave them my confidence to "feed off of".  I know this sounds harsh but I think that this is the best way to handle the situation.  I do not condone leaving dogs alone outside if they are suffering high stress levels due to noise factors (storms, fireworks, etc.) Do at least let them come in to the house and hide under the bed or tremble at your feet until the storm is over.

Answer 7

None of mine are

Answer 8

It just depends on the dog.  I had Belgian Shepherds Groenendaels and the female hated storms and would escape from the yard and lie in my mother-in-laws garage facing our house.  It was the only time she would escape.  The male couldn't care less about the storms and I had lightening hit the shed next door with the most deafening explosion of light and sound.  The male was in the front yard only metres away and wasn't worried at all.  I have a Kelpie who also isn't fazed by thunder.  I have a 5 month old Belgian Shepherd Malinois who hasn't been through a storm yet but as the build up is starting here I am going to desensitise him.  A bit of an experiment cos I haven't done this before but we get some huge thunder storms here and I don't want him freaking out.  By the way, all my dogs have been outside dogs, though not chained up.

bzzflygirl:  Good luck with your Belgian Shepherd.  I think they are great dogs and make fantastic family pets.

Answer 9

Yes. I know of many dogs who do this.

Answer 10

It all depends on the dog :)

<---My dog, Merrick, doesn't mind thunder storms at all. He actually enjoys watching them. However, my parents used to have a dog named Boomer who would get so frieghtened that he would jump through windows whenever it would thunder outside. We used to stay with him during thunder storms, just to be sure he wouldn't hurt himself.

Answer 11

My dog was when he was a puppy. We had a horrible storm one time and he just got up in our arms. And then the lights went out when we weren't at home, and he got scared over that and stayed with us until they came back on.

He doesn't get scared anymore though. If there's a loud thunder, he may bark, but that's it.