Tucson, AZ. Monsoon has no mercy on our dogs!-Is your dog ready for our Monsoon?

June 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Prepare Your Dog for Tucson Arizona’s Monsoons  
In Arizona, monsoons officially begins on June 15 and lasts until September 30. Tucson’s severe weather can bring high winds, dust storms, intense downpours resulting in flash floods, and even tornados have been recorded. All the noise and lightning that come with frequent afternoon and evening storms can be especially disturbing to our family dogs.  

Monsoon thunderstorms are a common fear in Tucson-area dogs, who can sense an approaching storm by the quickly falling barometric pressure and may show stress and anxiety before you can even hear the storm. This may cause them to panic and try to run away or be destructive, potentially hurting themselves or others. However, dogs can be trained to manage their reactions to Tucson monsoons.

To help your dog(s) stay safe and be more relaxed during monsoon season storms, as well as during fireworks or other instances of loud noises and bright flashes, try the following tips from Tucson Dog Trainer Gerard Raneri :

Always have current ID tags on your dog’s collar in case he escapes. Talk to your vet about microchipping, a permanent form of identification, and make sure to update your veterinary clinic and animal shelter anytime your contact information changes. During storms, keep him away from any doors that lead outside.

Provide a safe haven for your dog to go during monsoon weather. Create a quiet, den-like place inside your home where your dog can feel secure, such as a properly introduced kennel or crate. Lead your dog to his special area whenever a monsoon storm is brewing.

Use a crate if your dog becomes destructive when frightened. This will ensure your dog’s safety and protect your belongings. If you don’t use a crate, be sure to put any valuable items or things that could hurt your dog if he chewed them out of his reach
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During monsoon weather, keep your windows and curtains closed. This wlll help reduce noise and bright flashes. You can even try to distract your dog with a TV or radio playing calming music at a normal volume.

Remain calm and act in a matter-of-fact manner. Your dog can tell if you are afraid or uncomfortable during monsoon storms and will feed off of your emotion. Try to distract your dog with normal activities, like play or brushing. Do not use a sympathetic voice to reassure him; this can sound like praise and may make him more confused and nervous. Tucson Dog Trainer Gerard Raneri and explain how to become that matter -of- fact pack leader everyone is talking about.  


Be prepared for your dog to become incontinent due to adrenaline and his extreme fear during a monsoon, and don’t overreact. This is not an act of misbehavior, its fear. Its also not a good idea to over coddle    

Consider reconditioning your dog to lessen his panic during monsoon season. Bark Busters Tucson can help you with training exercises to change your dog’s negative associations with monsoon storms and help him relax.

Tucson’s Dog Trainer Gerard Raneri from Bark Busters Tucson offers as a public service, free tips to help you keep your dog safe in all situations! Read more about our Dog Training tips at  - http://www.dogtrainingtucsonaz.com

For extreme cases, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about using medication in conjunction with training. Your dog’s monsoon fear won’t get better on its own, but with strong leadership from you and training, he can learn to remain calm during our Tucson, Arizona monsoon season, which will help you relax and enjoy the summer as well.

Contact: Gerard Raneri 
Certified Dog Behavior  Therapist 
 &  Master Trainer
Bark Busters Home Dog Training
520.440.8848
http://www.dogtrainingtucsonaz.com/