When tornadoes threaten, knowing how to protect your dog matters. Find simple ways to prepare, train, and shelter safely together. Intense rain, hail, or high winds can be “just a storm.” But they can also signal something more dangerous. If the sky turns a dark, greenish color and normal sounds become muffled, a tornado may […] The post Tornado safety for dogs: sheltering in place appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.
When tornadoes threaten, knowing how to protect your dog matters. Find simple ways to prepare, train, and shelter safely together.
Intense rain, hail, or high winds can be “just a storm.” But they can also signal something more dangerous. If the sky turns a dark, greenish color and normal sounds become muffled, a tornado may be forming. It’s time for you and your dog to take shelter. Read on for tips on tornado safety for dogs and why sheltering in place is better than evacuating.
Are tornadoes becoming more frequent?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that the number of tornadoes has increased in the US. Tornadoes occur on fewer days. However, they tend to arrive in clusters, increasing the total number.
There’s also a directional shift toward the South and Midwest. For example, the National Weather Service confirmed 12 tornadoes in the St. Louis area after severe weather in March 2025.
Tornados also occur in Canada. People traditionally associate them with the flat prairie provinces, but they can also develop in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.
Evacuation more dangerous than sheltering in place
The average speed for a tornado is 30 mph, and wind speeds within the storm can be much higher. The St. Louis tornado was an EF3 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) with 152 mph winds at its strongest. It grew to one mile wide and stayed on the ground for nearly 23 miles. Traffic moves at 30 mph and obeys traffic signals. Tornadoes do not.
When a tornado begins forming, its path and speed can change quickly. In many cases, evacuation becomes more dangerous than sheltering in place.
How to keep your dog safe when a tornado threatens
Dion Studinski, a dog trainer and behaviorist, says the most important way to prepare a dog for emergency situations is to train strong foundational skills.
“These core behaviors create predictability when everything else feels chaotic,” he says. “In high-stress moments, dogs don’t rise to the occasion. They fall back on what’s familiar. These behaviors help regulate a dog’s emotional state and keep them connected to their person rather than reacting to noise, movement, or fear.
“To prepare dogs to move to safe areas, designate a specific location, such as an interior room, basement, bathroom, or windowless closet,” Dion continues. “Train them to return there as a familiar, everyday behavior.”
“Teach a consistent cue like ‘safe’ or ‘go to your spot’ to help the dog associate the space with safety rather than urgency. Once the behavior is reliable, practice sending the dog from different rooms. Introduce mild stressors, such as faster movement or environmental changes.
“The goal is for the shelter area to feel predictable and consistent, even when the situation outside isn’t,” says Dion.
Acclimatize him to siren noises
Many areas use sirens to warn of severe weather, often with announced suggestions for staying safe. If you familiarize your dog with the noise, it won’t frighten him as much.
“Playing storm or siren sounds quietly during training can help desensitize dogs over time,” says dog trainer Jonathan Solis. “Just as important is how you react [in a real-life situation]. Dogs read our tone and body language quickly; staying calm helps them do the same.”
As tornadoes begin appearing in regions where they were once rare, planning ahead is an important part of tornado safety for dogs. Training your dog to calmly move to a designated safe area in your home can make a frightening situation easier to manage.
When severe weather threatens, shelter in place together in a familiar, protected space. It helps keep both you and your dog calm and safe until the storm passes.
Train your dog to use the basement steps
If you have a basement, it will provide more space to move around in during a tornado warning. However, basements often have open-backed staircases that can frighten dogs, even when they’re with their people.
If you want to make the basement your designated safe spot, and your dog is afraid of the stairs, you may have to sit on a lower step and encourage him to come down one step at a time until he gets used to the idea. Use high-value treats to make training easier. A bed and favorite toy in the basement will help fight fear.
What if you’re not home?
Two-way audio cameras come in many price ranges and feature sets. You can install several throughout the house. Most offer a 360° view, allowing you to see and hear your dog. He can also hear you give him the cue to go to his designated safe spot, and offer comfort and praise, if a tornado approaches your neighbourhood and you can’t get home in time.
“The goal is for the shelter area to feel predictable and consistent, even when the situation outside isn’t.”
A tornado’s path and speed can be uncertain enough to make evacuation more dangerous than sheltering in place.
The post Tornado safety for dogs: sheltering in place appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.
