5-minute listening: Why dogs are scared of thunderstorms and what you can do to help them feel safe

2. What does an animal behaviourist do?
A. They take care of the animals in the zoo.
B. They study the actions and interactions of animals.
C. They treat animals who are sick or injured.
D. They help stray animals find new homes.

3. What happens to Milo when there is a thunderstorm?
A. He barks nonstop.
B. He hides under tables.
C. He pants a lot.
D. none of the above

4. What is a phobia?
A. an unreasonable fear of something
B. a strong attraction to something
C. an intense dislike of something
D. a strong doubt about something

5. According to the podcast, what do some scientists believe about the hearing abilities of dogs?
A. Their hearing is less sensitive than human hearing.
B. Dogs can hear sounds that are much louder than what humans can hear.
C. They can hear sounds that humans cannot.
D. Dogs can hear sounds that are much higher in frequency than what human ears can detect.

6. According to the podcast, what might be making dogs feel scared during a thunderstorm?
A. the loud noise of thunder
B. the changes in air pressure
C. the build-up of electricity
D. all of the above

7. Which word can replace “startling” in the podcast?
A. mind-blowing
B. alarming
C. annoying
D. breathtaking

8. According to the podcast, what is one way to help a dog overcome its fear of thunderstorms?
A. playing recordings of thunder at a low volume and gradually increasing the volume over time
B. give the dog extra treats during a storm to help them associate storms with positive things
C. take the dog for a walk during a storm to distract it from the noise
D. lock the dog up in a cage so that it feels safe and secure

9. How does swaddling a dog help them feel more secure?
A. It can mimic the feeling of being in a safe, secure space.
B. It can help to block out the sound of the thunder.
C. It can help to reduce the build-up of electricity in the air.
D. It can increase the air pressure during a thunderstorm.

10. According to the podcast, which of the following can lower the static pressure in the air?
A. dehumidifiers
B. air ioniser
C. essential oil diffusers
D. information not given

11. How can putting a dog in a room with no windows during a thunderstorm calm them down?
A. It helps to take the dog’s attention away from the thunder.
B. It completely removes the sound of the thunder.
C. It blocks out the flashes of lightning.
D. It helps to mimic the feeling of being outdoors.

12. Which word can replace “keep in mind” in the podcast?
A. remember
B. examine
C. memorise
D. think

13. Which of the following is a sign that a dog is severely affected by thunderstorms according to the podcast?
A. excessive drooling
B. trying to escape from the house
C. yawning a lot
D. howling as soon as they see lightning

14. Why do some dogs chew objects during thunderstorms?
A. to relieve pain
B. to feel less anxious
C. to reduce their frustration
D. to feel less bored

15. What method for calming down a dog is not mentioned in the podcast?
A. provide background noise
B. help them feel safe and secure
C. give them anti-anxiety medicine
D. give them a cold bowl of water

1. A
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. B
9. A
10. D
11. C
12. A
13. B
14. B
15. D

Adapted from Tribune News Agency

Andy: Welcome back to another episode of Canine Talk! Joining us today is animal behaviourist Chen Chi-yiu. He is an expert in how animals act and interact with each other. We’re glad to have you, Chi-yiu.

Chen Chi-yiu: Thanks for the introduction, Andy! I’m excited to give some advice to pet owners.

Andy: I’m just going through the emails we’ve received from our listeners, and here’s an interesting one for you, Chi-yiu. Jiro from Mong Kok wrote: “My five-year-old pug, Milo, is really scared of thunderstorms. He starts shaking and trembling at the sound of thunder. What can I do to help him?”

Chen Chi-yiu: Right. I’m sorry to hear that, Jiro. It seems like Milo may have a noise phobia. Some dogs act out in response to sudden noises or storms.

Andy: Why is that?

Chen Chi-yiu: Some scientists think it’s because dogs have much better hearing than humans do and hear thunderclaps before we can. The loud noise of thunder can be startling and scary for them. It can also be very confusing for dogs because they don’t know what it is. Other scientists believe that dogs can feel the changes in air pressure before a thunderstorm or sense the build-up of electricity generated by thunderstorms. Any of these could explain why dogs feel anxious.

Andy: Those poor dogs! So what can we do to help them if they’re afraid of thunderstorms?

Chen Chi-yiu: Try doing pleasant or fun activities during storms. This way, over time, they can associate storms with positive things. For example, Jiro, you can try giving Milo extra treats during a storm to replace feelings of anxiety with happier ones.

Andy: What about swaddling the dog in a blanket or shirt, like we do for babies?

Chen Chi-yiu: That works! The pressure of the swaddling can help to mimic the feeling of being in a safe, secure space. There are also products that can help lower the static pressure in the air, which can be a trigger for storm anxiety in dogs.

Andy: So, Jiro, you can try spraying these products in the air to make the environment feel more calm and relaxing for Milo.

Chen Chi-yiu: Yes, indeed. But sometimes, to make your pet feel safe, it’s best to give them space. Putting Milo in a room with no windows and providing white noise, such as turning on the TV, can be the easiest way to distract him from the thunderstorm happening outside – especially because a lack of windows means Milo won’t notice the flashes of lightning.

Andy: Chi-yiu, is there any medication that Milo can take to help him feel better during a thunderstorm?

Chen Chi-yiu: Anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed by a vet, but keep in mind that since storms can occur suddenly, the medicine might not have time to set in after it’s been given. It’s always a good idea to speak with your vet about Milo’s anxiety, especially if he is being severely affected by thunderstorms – for example, trying to escape from the house or becoming more destructive by chewing objects to relieve their stress. In more serious cases, medication and behaviour modification might be necessary, and in milder cases, you may just need to desensitise Milo to storms using the methods we’ve suggested.

Andy: Thanks so much, Chi-yiu. Jiro, I hope Milo will get over his fear of thunderstorms soon! And to our listeners, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the chat. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes. This has been Canine Talk, and we’ll see you next week!