Do you hear that? If you have a dog or know someone who does, then you’re surely familiar with the sound of a dog trying to communicate with its surroundings.
Dogs have their own ways of communicating with humans and other animals. They wag their tails, assume a submissive posture, and, of course, bark.
If you have a dog as a pet, you may have wished for a bark-to-English dictionary to understand what your dog is trying to convey. Some barks mean “I’m hungry,” while others mean “Leave me alone!”
But what about all the barking during thunderstorms? Is your dog expressing displeasure with the weather? Is he upset about getting wet? Many dog owners have experienced their dogs getting upset during storms and expressing it through barking.
While we can’t be certain about what dogs are trying to convey when they bark during thunderstorms, experts believe that they might simply be expressing fear. Just like humans, dogs can feel scared during storms.
And why wouldn’t they? Storms can be dangerous, with high winds, heavy rains, and lightning. Dogs that have been outside during storms know how dangerous they can be. Fear is a natural reaction.
When dogs feel fear, barking is often their way of expressing it. As a storm approaches, dogs may feel helpless and scared, leading them to bark. Some dogs may even panic and hide in a safe place. Of course, not all dogs are scared of thunderstorms. Like some people who love storms, some dogs are not bothered by the thunder and lightning.
If you have ever lived with a dog, you may have noticed that barking related to thunderstorms may start well before you see any rain or hear any thunder. Did your dog watch the weather forecast? Or can dogs predict the weather?
While it would be cool if dogs could predict the weather, their ability to sense storms before we do can be explained by science. Most significant weather changes, including approaching storms, are preceded by a drop in barometric pressure and shifts in static electricity fields.
Dogs are much more sensitive than humans to these changes. While you’re still enjoying your favorite TV show, your dog can sense the changes in air pressure and electricity and begin to warn you about what is coming.
Dogs can also smell approaching storms before you can. Have you ever walked outside and thought, “It smells like rain!”? Often, what you smell is ozone in the air due to lightning. Since dogs have a more acute sense of smell than humans, they can detect these smells before we do.
Similarly, dogs have a sense of hearing that is approximately 20 times superior to our own. Dogs are capable of hearing distant thunder long before we are able to. Even before we are aware of an impending storm, a dog may already be aware of it and start warning us by barking. Therefore, if bad weather is predicted, it is advisable to keep an eye on your dog as they may provide an early indication that a storm is approaching.
Give It a Try
We hope that today’s Wonder of the Day has been informative for you! Unless you are extremely tired, have fun engaging in the following activities with a friend or family member:
– If you enjoy learning about dogs, make sure to explore the following dog-related Wonders of the Day: “How Can Dogs Hear Things We Can’t?”, “What Tales Can a Dog’s Tail Tell?”, and “Does Every Dog Have a Pedigree?”
– Spend some time with a dog today! If you do not own a dog, visit a friend or neighbor who has a pet dog. Observe the dog’s behavior as you interact and play with it. How does it try to communicate with you? What can you infer from its body language, tail wagging, and barking? In what ways are dogs similar to humans in terms of communication? How do they differ? Discuss these questions with a friend or family member and share stories about the dogs you have encountered. Have fun discovering more about how to effectively communicate with the canines in your life!
– Do you have a dog that barks during thunderstorms? Did you know that there are ways to help alleviate its anxiety during these stressful times? It’s true! Check out “Nine Steps to Calm Your Dog in Thunder” for helpful tips on how to comfort your dog the next time there is lightning and thunder.
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