Why does my dog act weird when it's windy?

Changes in barometric pressure can affect dogs’ behavior significantly, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Yours might become agitated — if he’s afraid of wind or storms — or he might become overexcited and curious, ready to pick up scents in the air and go exploring. If you’ve ever seen your dog sniffing the air as a storm approaches, he might be monitoring incoming weather change. As pressure in the air gets lower, the way odors travel changes. Your dog can notice these changes even if you can’t. Dogs, more perceptive to changes in the weather than we are, can feel changes in the static electric field that occur in the air, especially as a strong storm approaches.

Strong gusts of wind and pressure drops can agitate our canine companions. Your dog might show signs of anxiety or restlessness, or might be unable to sit still when they are met with strong wind levels. This could be because of the noise of the wind – or that the sound, prevents your dog from hearing anything else. Many different factors can impact a change in your dog’s mood, including disruption to their daily routine, fewer opportunities to get out and about and enjoy the same amount of physical exercise as they get in the summer months, or as a result of stress or anxiety from fears and phobias. Research carried out by Penn State University showed that some dogs experience a rapid increase of cortisol – the stress hormone – during thunderstorms, while other research shows that dogs can sense the changes in barometric pressure that predict a new weather front. For dogs who are afraid of storms, this could lead to them becoming agitated – or in more fearless canines, this could lead to increased excitement and activity. If you see your dog sniffing the air, it might be that a storm is on the way. As the air pressure gets lower, the way scent travels changes – and so your dog can quite literally predict the weather with their nose. During severe changes in the weather, you might find your pet seeking comfort in ‘safe’ hiding places within the home.

When it's windy, scents are carried over greater distances, which means your dog is exposed to a multitude of new and interesting scents. This increased olfactory stimulation can make your dog more alert and excited as he seeks to explore and identify the different scents around him. Wind can also amplify certain sounds or create new ones, like the rustling of leaves or the snapping of branches. Dogs, which have very sensitive hearing, can respond to these unusual sounds by becoming more curious. Wind can also cause a tactile sensation for your dog, blowing on his coat and waving his ears. This feeling can be pleasant and stimulating for your dog, which can contribute to their overall excitement. Some dogs may also enjoy the feeling of running against the wind, which may encourage them to be more active and energetic during windy walks. Dogs are instinctive animals, and some wind-related behaviors may be the result of ancestral instincts.

Storms are a very common cause of phobias in dogs, but we often don’t think about the wind that can accompany storms and how that can affect our dog’s behaviour. Even without a storm, wind can be problematic for a lot of dogs. Wind carries scent in all different directions and over greater distances including unusual or worrying scent. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and are much more accurate with their scent compared to us. The most common phobia related to wind that we see, are dogs who have been startled by loud noises caused by wind. Sound can also be amplified in high winds. The wind can blow your dog’s coat/fur in different directions and may feel unusual for dogs who are touch sensitive. An increase in wind speed will result in reducing air pressure, and dogs can often sense the drop in barometric pressure that comes with changing weather.

Dogs appear to enjoy the wind and become more playful and boisterous, whereas horses act as if they are afraid of it and are more prone to bolting or shying. This may be the difference between predator and prey - strong wind brings unfamiliar smells from far away that might indicate danger to a horse, but opportunity to a dog. But as horses tend to bolt into the wind, that would take them towards the danger. It may be that the constant roaring of wind in their ears disrupts their situational awareness, and so makes them more prone to take flight at the slightest hint of danger.

Dogs experience the world through their senses, and when the wind blows, it amplifies their sensory experience. A dog's sense of smell is incredibly powerful, and a gust of wind carries a multitude of scents from miles away. The swirling air brings with it a symphony of odours – from distant animals and plants to the scent of changes in weather. This olfactory overload can trigger excitement and curiousity in your dog as they try to decipher the complex tapestry of smells. The sensation of the wind against their fur, the rustling of leaves, and the movement of objects in the breeze can trigger a dog's playful instincts. Your furry friend might feel compelled to chase leaves, run in circles, or simply revel in the sheer joy of being outdoors during the windy weather. The wind carries not only scents but also a medley of sounds. Rustling leaves, creaking branches, and the howling of wind create a symphony of noises that might be both intriguing and slightly unsettling for your dog. These unpredictable sounds can stimulate a dog's natural alertness and, in some cases, trigger a playful response. Dogs are known to be sensitive to atmospheric changes, and the wind often heralds a shift in weather conditions. A sudden drop in barometric pressure or changes in humidity levels can be sensed by your dog, even before you notice them. This sensitivity to atmospheric changes might create a sense of restlessness or excitement in your dog, as they react to the anticipation of an impending weather shift. Windy conditions can awaken these primal instincts, causing your dog to respond in ways reminiscent of their ancestral behavior. For example, the wind may trigger a dog's hunting instincts, leading them to become more alert, focused, and eager to explore their surroundings. Dogs, especially those with high energy levels, often need an outlet to release pent-up energy. Windy weather can serve as a natural stimulant, providing an opportunity for your dog to burn off excess energy through play and exploration.