We had some big thunderstorms roll through Wisconsin, and Ginger was having a hard time with them.
She has always been sensitive to storms. Usually when things get loud, she wants to hide in the closet or underneath the bed.
But one morning she surprised me.
I found her in our shower.
That was a first. So I let her have it.
I didn’t try to pull her out or convince her that the closet would be better. I didn’t make a big deal out of it. She had found a place that felt right to her in that moment, and I figured that was worth paying attention to.
Sometimes our dogs choose the safe space for us
We often hear that we should create a safe space for a dog who is afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks. And I absolutely think having those options available is helpful.
But Ginger reminded me that sometimes our dogs tell us where that space should be.
Maybe your dog chooses a closet, bathroom, laundry room, basement, crate, or a spot under the bed. Maybe they want to be right beside you. Another dog may want to disappear into the quietest corner of the house.
Those choices give us information.
Instead of deciding where Ginger should feel safe, I can watch where she naturally goes and make that spot quieter and more comfortable for her.
Pay attention before the noise gets really bad
I’ve also learned to watch what Ginger does as a storm is building.
Where does she go first? Does she want to stay close to us or hide? Will she still take food? Does white noise seem to help? Does she settle better in one room than another?
You don’t need a perfect plan. You need to learn what helps your dog.
That becomes especially important around July 4th at our house.
July 4th is also Ginger’s birthday
The funny part about fireworks weekend is that July 4th is Ginger’s birthday… or at least it’s the birthday the shelter gave her before we fostered and eventually adopted her.
In 2026, she turned 11.
So while a lot of people were planning fireworks, I was planning Ginger’s birthday and preparing for several loud nights with the dogs.
I like getting their lick mats ready, stuffing Kongs and putting them in the freezer, making sure I know where the long lines are, and setting up the house so everyone has a calm place to go when the neighborhood gets noisy.
Because our yard isn’t fenced, I’m especially careful about potty breaks once fireworks start. I’d much rather be overly cautious for a few nights than assume my dogs will react exactly as they normally do.
We celebrate Ginger earlier in the day with all the good stuff, and by evening we switch into “keep everyone safe and settled” mode.
Your dog’s safe place may surprise you
The shower definitely wasn’t the safe space I would have picked for Ginger.
Apparently, she had other ideas.
And that was a good reminder for me. We can prepare, make options available, and have a plan, but we still need to watch the dog standing in front of us.
If thunderstorms or fireworks are difficult for your dog, I have a much more complete guide with ideas for preparing your home, keeping your dog safe, and helping them cope with the noise in How to Help a Dog With Fireworks Anxiety.
Next time your dog gets worried, notice where they go first.
They may already be showing you exactly where they feel safest.
Originally sent to Rescue Dogs 101 subscribers on June 25 and June 30, 2026. Published online in September 2026.
