{"id":36047,"date":"2025-07-30T15:59:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/?p=36047"},"modified":"2025-07-30T15:59:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:59:10","slug":"systematic-desensitization-and-counterconditioning-for-thunderstorms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/pet-owner-resources\/systematic-desensitization-and-counterconditioning-for-thunderstorms\/","title":{"rendered":"Systematic Desensitization and Counterconditioning for Thunderstorms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i> Download PDF<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Before starting these exercises, review the \u201cTeaching Relaxation Exercises<\/a>\u201d handout and ensure that your dog can follow the \u201cmat\u201d and \u201crelax\u201d\/\u201csettle\u201d cues.<\/li>\n
  2. Choose a storm soundtrack that most closely mimics the sound of a storm in your home. See the Resources<\/b><\/span> sidebar for examples.<\/li>\n
  3. Ask your dog to go to its mat and relax\/settle.<\/span><\/li>\n
  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\u2019s ear twitch. This indicates they can hear the sound, even if you can\u2019t.<\/li>\n
  5. Keep the sound at this level and practice relax\/settle.\n
      \n
    1. Reward your dog for remaining on the mat. Also reward increased relaxation behaviors, such as head down, big sigh, or limbs askew.<\/li>\n
    2. Additionally, at every clap of thunder, give your dog a food reward or praise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    3. Repeat this for 5 to 10 minutes. Do several sessions over a few days.<\/li>\n
    4. Once your dog consistently shows calm and relaxed behavior, increase the volume by one notch and continue to practice the \u201crelax\u201d\/\u201csettle\u201d exercise.<\/li>\n
    5. Begin each new session one level lower than the previous session ended and continue to reward your dog for relaxed behavior.<\/li>\n
    6. Repeat these sessions until the recording is at the same volume as a real storm.\n
        \n
      1. Remember, if systematic desensitization is performed correctly, it should look very boring, because your dog is not reacting to the noise! <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      2. Any time your dog cannot follow the \u201crelax\u201d\/\u201csettle\u201d 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\u00a0notches, offer a food treat with each thunderclap, and re-cue \u201crelax\u201d\/\u201csettle.\u201d\n
          \n
        1. Reward your dog for a short duration in \u201crelax\u201d\/\u201csettle.\u201d<\/li>\n
        2. For the next steps, increase the volume in smaller intervals and practice at these levels for a longer time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Resources<\/div>
          \n