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National

It's cyclone season in the Top End, and as thunderstorms roll in, what can ease an anxious dog's stress?

Bianca Fidock fosters animals and knows how anxious some dogs can get during storms.

"It can be a bit hectic, they try and escape, which is really odd because you think they're in a safe space," she said.

"But they're just trying to escape the sound because they probably have no real concept of what it is."

Cyclone season has started in the Top End and so have the thunderstorms that these dogs find so terrifying.

Some dogs get so anxious they scratch, break or gnaw their way through doors and fences or they quiver and pace with fright, too nervous to eat or drink.

After a Darwin storm, it is common to find social media posts from worried pet owners searching for frightened dogs who have escaped during the downpour.

So what can dog owners do to ease their pet's anxiety?

How we react to the storm and our dog's distress is crucial, according to animal shelter manager Geoffrey Watson from Paws Darwin.

"The number one thing we need to remember to do with our animals in storms is be calm," Mr Watson said.

"Our energy reflects on our dog's behaviour."

Creating a safe, familiar place inside the house is another step.

"Let's bring our animals inside, let's make sure they're safe inside with us," he said.

"Another thing we can do is provide lots of distractions, whether that's toys, treats, games that we can play with our dogs."

Public cyclone shelters in the Northern Territory do not allow animals inside so food, water and shelter for pets should also be part of a resident's cyclone plan.

Jazmin Hartmann has been thinking about what to do with her two miniature dachshunds in the event of a cyclone.

They don't get too anxious during storms, which Ms Hartmann attributes to being born during the stormy wet season.

"The girls and our cat are all we have, we don't have children, they are our children," she said.

"So we wouldn't do anything without them, that's for sure.

"These are the types of things we've started to think about, what do we do in an emergency with them?"

While cyclone shelters don't allow animals, there are some designated undercover car parks at shopping centres and hotels where people can shelter with pets.

These buildings are not designed as shelters though, so they will not be fully enclosed and will not have things like staff or toilets.

Ms Fidock has devised her cyclone plan with this in mind — she has also trained her own dog Clyde to be comfortable in crates and small spaces.

"My cyclone plan involves staying at home or going to my family's house," she said.

Mr Watson said crate training from an early age can be helpful and there may also be situations when pets need to be left behind.

"What we can do is make sure that our beloved animals are secured," he said.

"So in a safe spot, so whether that's the laundry or the bathroom inside the house with plenty of water, plenty of food."

He said pet owners with a severely anxious dog could also speak to a vet for advice about medication or other options.

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