Prepare Your Puppy for Summer Storms

Summer storms can be a source of anxiety for even the most confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. For puppies, these loud, unpredictable events are often their first real brush with the world’s big noises and bright flashes. As a puppy parent, you have the unique opportunity to shape how your new puppy reacts to storms for the rest of their lives. Here’s how you can gently prepare your puppy for summer storms, using science-backed strategies and a fear-free, compassionate approach.

1. Gentle Exposure and Desensitization

One of the most effective ways to help your puppy become comfortable with storms is gentle exposure and desensitization using recorded storm sounds. Start with low-volume recordings of thunderstorms while your puppy is engaged in a positive, enjoyable activity, such as playing or receiving treats. Gradually increase the volume over days or weeks, ensuring your puppy remains relaxed and unconcerned. If they start to react, lower the volume again until they are ready for more.

Gentle exposure to the sounds of storms teaches them that thunder, lightning, and wind noises are no big deal and not something to panic about.

Best Practices

• Begin with just a few minutes daily and slowly extend the time as your puppy gets accustomed
• Keep volume low until your puppy can handle longer exposure to lower volumes
• Always watch for signs of stress; if your puppy reacts fearfully, note the volume that cause a reaction, lower the volume, end the training session on a happy note, then try again later by starting at a lower level.

2. Comforting and Staying Calm

Your puppy will always look to you for cues on how to respond in new or uncertain situations. If you remain calm and composed, your demeanor shows your puppy there’s nothing to fear. Comfort your puppy with gentle petting, soothing talk, or a cuddle. If you were scared, you’d want someone to gently remind you that you’re going to be okay and to love and accept you in a scary situation; puppies want the same!

Best Practices

• Create a safe, cozy space where your puppy can retreat during storms, such as a crate with a soft blanket or a quiet interior room
• Play or engage in calm activities so your puppy associates storms with normal, everyday life
• Play some relaxing music like bedtime lullabies, soothing classical, or reggae, which surprisingly has been shown to calm dogs due to the repetitive, rhythmic nature of reggae beats

3. Proper Use of Calming Aids, Supplements, and CBD

Some puppies, especially those naturally anxious, may benefit from calming aids, including CBD. It’s essential to choose safe products that are appropriate for your puppy’s age and size.

Especially if your puppy is less than 6 months old, discuss any supplementation with your veterinarian before purchasing any oral supplements and edible calming aids.

Finally, calming aids are most effective when used as part of a desensitization plan, such as the one I provided above. If they are your only layer, they usually won’t work well enough to truly soothe your pup.

Best Practices

If you’re looking for a CBD you can trust, my friend and fellow pet professional, Isabel Alvarez Arata, swears by CBDDogHealth. They are third-party lab tested, full-spectrum, and well-sourced. Hemp will suck up all the toxins from the soil it’s grown in, she explained, so you want to ensure that the hemp is sourced from areas that are free from contamination, including heavy metals. Yikes!

Per Jessica Fisher, host of The Pet Parenting Reset and canine nutrition expert, “Puppies may be more sensitive to the herbs, so I’d try half the recommendation to start.” She recommends the above chew starting as early as 10-12 weeks.