Systematic Desensitization and Counterconditioning for Thunderstorms

Learning is more difficult when your dog is fearful or anxious. Ensure that your dog remains calm and unafraid during these exercises, as a positive and pleasant environment is crucial for effective systematic desensitization. End each training session on a positive note. If necessary, reduce the volume to a level that allows your dog to take treats, then end the session.

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1. Before starting these exercises, review the “Teaching Relaxation Exercises” handout and ensure that your dog can follow the “mat” and “relax”/“settle” cues.
2. Choose a storm soundtrack that most closely mimics the sound of a storm in your home. See the Resources sidebar for examples.
3. Ask your dog to go to its mat and relax/settle.
4. Play the soundtrack, beginning with the volume at zero. Very slowly, increase the volume one notch at a time until you see your dog’s ear twitch. This indicates they can hear the sound, even if you can’t.
5. Keep the sound at this level and practice relax/settle.
   1. Reward your dog for remaining on the mat. Also reward increased relaxation behaviors, such as head down, big sigh, or limbs askew.
   2. Additionally, at every clap of thunder, give your dog a food reward or praise.
6. Repeat this for 5 to 10 minutes. Do several sessions over a few days.
7. Once your dog consistently shows calm and relaxed behavior, increase the volume by one notch and continue to practice the “relax”/“settle” exercise.
8. Begin each new session one level lower than the previous session ended and continue to reward your dog for relaxed behavior.
9. Repeat these sessions until the recording is at the same volume as a real storm.
   1. Remember, if systematic desensitization is performed correctly, it should look very boring, because your dog is not reacting to the noise!
10. Any time your dog cannot follow the “relax”/“settle” cue, shows signs of anxiety or fear, or stops taking treats, stop. This means you have moved too fast. Reduce the volume by at least 3 notches, offer a food treat with each thunderclap, and re-cue “relax”/“settle.”
    1. Reward your dog for a short duration in “relax”/“settle.”
    2. For the next steps, increase the volume in smaller intervals and practice at these levels for a longer time.