Dogs can become agitated and anxious before a thunderstorm. Some storm phobic dogs even panic, causing stress for you and your furry companion. Storm Defender has the solution—without drugs—to reduce your dog's anxiety. Wrap their cape, with its special lining, around your dog and bring some much needed relief. Over 95% of their customers report successful results.
 

We have used this product in our   clinic and found it to be effective   in many cases. Dr. Nicholas Dodman

Nicholas Dodman BVMS MRCVS is Professor and Director, Behavior Clinic Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The Storm Defender cape has been under study at Tufts with results to date that have been very favorable. The article, Use of a Cape (The Storm Defender®) in the Treatment of Canine (Canis familiaris) Thunderstorm Phobia, appears in Current Issues And Research in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine: Papers Presented at the Fifth Veterinary Behavior Meeting. Written by N. Cottam, N. Dodman, and T. Critzer, below is a summary of their investigative project. The etiology of canine thunderstorm phobia is not known exactly. Some theorize that the phobia is essentially a noise phobia (learned or innate) and the dog becomes conditioned to fear other aspects of the storm including lightning and wind. Some dogs appear to detect storms before their owners, leading some to believe that dogs can sense changes in the environment that their owners cannot, such as changes in barometric pressure or levels of static electricity. This investigative project sought to determine whether pain/fear of static electricity plays a role in thunderstorm phobia. This is being accomplished by two studies with owners of thunderstorm phobic dogs who used the ‘Storm Defender,’ a cape with an inner metallic lining that is thought to shield the dog from the potentially painful or fear-evoking effect of static electricity. In phase 1, anecdotal information was obtained from 14 owners. Ten out of 14 owners reported a “moderate” or “good” therapeutic effect from the cape. Four owners reported little or no effect. Phase 2 is currently in-progress. In this double blind study, a placebo cape (cape without a metallic lining) is being used to test whether the cape’s metallic lining is responsible for the cape’s apparent therapeutic effect. Twenty dogs were enrolled in phase 2 (10 experimental and 10 controls). Owners were asked to record the frequency and intensity of 12 behaviors associated with thunderstorm phobia during 4 storm experiences with the cape. A behavior score will be generated for each of the 4 storm experiences and compared to a baseline score.

The Storm Defender Cape
How do dogs know that an electrical storm is coming — often before we do? Research shows that dogs sense the static charge buildup before a thunderstorm. This same charge, if it gets big enough, produces lightning. Knowing that, it makes sense for dogs to be afraid and seek shelter. It is an "early warning" system for lightning.

Excessive fear, like that of a phobia, is more of a nuisance than a help. Some dogs respond with extreme excitement and fear bordering on panic. They are difficult or impossible to console.

Dogs naturally try to escape the static charge by moving toward items that are electrically grounded. Many thunderstorm-phobic dogs seek shelter in the basement, around the toilet, shower, tub or near pipes. They also may try to hide or get underneath something. Favorite spots are often the bathtub (if made of porcelain coated cast iron) or the car.

When properly used, the Storm Defender cape will reduce the dog's anxiety. The cape has a special metallic lining that discharges a dog's fur and shields him from the static charge buildup reducing his sensitivity to the charge. The dog gets relief, and after a few storms, s/he begins to learn that the secondary triggers like rain, wind, thunder, barometric pressure and smells are no longer to be feared. With the cape on, the dog feels as though s/he has found a safe place.

The electrical activity is only loosely related to rain. We can have charge without rain such as "heat lightning" or rain without charge such as "April showers." Since humans are largely insensitive to this charge, we must take our cues from the dog. It is very difficult to calm a dog once they have reached full panic, so promptness is essential.

How to Use The Storm Defender Cape
The Storm Defender cape gives relief to dogs who are excessively afraid of thunderstorms. It must be put on when the dog first begins to get agitated due to an oncoming electrical thunderstorm. The cape reduces the dog's sensitivity to the static charge that precedes and accompanies a thunderstorm. It may be removed when the electrical activity has passed. The cape is for indoor use only.

Learn More about the Storm Defender's Inventor
Tom Critzer was desperate to help his dog, Cody, overcome his storm phobia. Cody's reaction to thunderstorms would begin before there were outward signs of a storm or heat lightning. If he was inside the house, Cody would pant, pace, continually bark and claw at wallpaper in fear. Once while outside during a storm, Cody panicked and ripped through the canvas on a camper.

Tom, with degrees in psychology and electrical engineering, began to research. He came across a theory that the static charge before and during thunderstorms was the trigger that upset dogs. He developed a cape with a special metallic lining that discharges the dog's fur and shields him from the static charge buildup.

His patented invention, the Storm Defender cape, has since helped hundreds of dogs. To date, over 1000 Storm Defender capes have been sold with an over 95% success and customer satisfaction rate. Since Tom's untimely death in February, 2005, his three children have continued the family business. Storm Defender, LLC is based out of Fairfield, Ohio.