Training Tips from Gizzy (and Cherie): Issue 13

🐾 Training Tips from Gizzy: The BOOM That Shook the Sky! 🐾

Hey, friends… I have breaking news. The sky? It makes noise. BIG noise. Booming, cracking, rumbling noise! And I did NOT approve of it.

This week, I was just minding my own business, doing Gizzy things, when suddenly—BOOM! The whole world shook! My paws spun in place, my ears shot up, and I thought, “Okay, what in the name of all things squeaky was THAT?!”

I turned to Cherie for answers, and you know what she did? She got EXCITED. Like, full-on happy mode. She called my name in her super fun, high-pitched voice—the one that means “everything is fine, buddy!” And because I already know that when she does that, good things happen, I snapped into focus.

And just like that, we were playing a game!

She started rolling kibbles across the floor—I had to chase them! Then she called me back—I ran back for more! Boom? What boom? All I cared about was snack time with Cherie. And just like that… the thunder didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore.

Helping Dogs Through Loud Noises

Turns out, Cherie has been preparing me for this moment all along. She says if you wait until your pup is already scared, it’s way harder to help them. But if you build fun games ahead of time, we know what to do when something scary happens!

Here’s how you can help YOUR dog when the sky decides to have a tantrum:

🐾 Make Yourself the Party! – If you react like thunder is scary, your pup will think it’s scary, too. Instead, act happy, excited, and playful to show them there’s nothing to worry about.

🐾 Build a “Focus = Fun” Habit – Teach your dog that when they look at you, awesome things happen! This can be with treats, toys, or happy praise. If they’re already used to doing this, they’ll turn to you when something startles them.

🐾 Play “Find the Kibble” – Rolling or tossing treats around turns a scary moment into a fun, sniffy game—which also lowers stress!

🐾 Use Recall for Comfort – Teaching your dog to come to you happily means that when they’re unsure, they’ll run to you instead of panicking.

🐾 Practice Before the Storm Hits – Play these games when it’s quiet, so your pup knows the routine before loud noises ever start.

Bonus Tip!

Some dogs need extra help with noise fears, and that’s okay! If your pup struggles with loud sounds, try:
🔹 White noise or calming music during storms.
🔹 Snug wraps (like a Thundershirt) to help them feel secure.
🔹 Safe spaces, like a crate with a cozy blanket, to retreat to.
🔹 Desensitization training—slowly exposing them to recorded thunder at low volumes while pairing it with fun things.

The biggest thing? Stay calm and make it fun!

So, tell me, friends—do loud noises make your pup nervous? Or do they think thunder is no big deal? Let’s talk about it in the Facebook Group—Cherie and I want to hear your stories!

Until next time, keep wagging (even when the sky is grumpy)!

Love,
Gizzy