06/02/2026
Does your dog hate thunderstorms? Do you dread storm season here in Florida?
I used to feel exactly the same way.
About 20 years ago, I had a dog with severe thunderstorm anxiety. Every time a storm rolled in, I would rush home from work, climb into his bed with him, cuddle him, hug him, kiss him, and tell him everything was going to be okay.
One day, a trainer friend called while this was happening. I told him what I was doing, and he immediately told me to stop. He explained that constantly fussing over my dog’s fear could actually make the problem worse by reinforcing the anxious state of mind.
That conversation completely changed the way I approached fearful behaviors.
Since then, I’ve owned many different dogs. None have ever struggled with storm anxiety the way that dog did.
My current dog, Dane, doesn’t love thunderstorms either. But from the day I adopted him, I taught him that his crate was a safe, comfortable place to relax. He spends time in there regularly, not just when he’s stressed.
So when a storm rolls in, I simply tell him to go to his crate. That’s it. No big production, no panic, no fuss. He settles down and relaxes.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is the importance of teaching dogs how to cope instead of constantly trying to comfort them through every uncomfortable moment.
For Dane, his crate is his safe place. Because of the foundation we built long before the storms arrived, thunderstorms are no longer something I have to worry about.
I’ve tried medications, ThunderShirts, and plenty of other things over the years. Some dogs may benefit from those tools, but for me, the biggest game changer was proper crate training and teaching my dogs to find comfort and confidence in their own space.
A crate should never be a punishment. When introduced correctly, it can become one of the most valuable tools you have—especially during stressful situations like thunderstorms.
And for new pups that don’t know that they should be afraid of storms? Every single time you hear a boom, give them treats. Keep them busy train them during storms walk them around the house on a leash do anything to show them that life goes on during a storm 🙂
If your dog crates well during storms and you have seen the benefits of this, please comment :)
