STORM-SCARED DOG, any advice?

[Guitartists]

Quote:
I agree... they say the worst thing you can do is 'comfort' them when they are displaying an unwanted behavior... this leads them to associate the behavior with the reward and makes it worse.

 

[dixiechick]

I agree with not reinforcing the behavior....thanks everyone for good ideas/advice.....it's comforting to know I am not the only one who has to deal with this.....

 

[silkiechicken]

d.k :

*Never actually tried one, but I have heard that if you wrap their ribcage tightly with a extra wide ace bandage, it keeps them calmer somehow. I don't understand the theory behind it, but apparently there are even similiar "storm snug vests" you can order o/l.

Probably works because they can't breath as fast as they need to, inorder to remain hyper and freaked out. Like wearing a corset, you'll spend your time trying to breathe.​

 

[d.k]

* Ah, that makes some sense. I wondered why it might work!!

 

[mangled]

Wow, it sounds kinda mean, but at the same time, I can't let him hurt himself and destroy the house.

We never try to comfort him, we're too busy trying to minimize the damage. I've gotten to the point with him that I just go ahead and dose him at the first sign of storm.

Em

 

[lleighmay]

I recently read something somewhere that said that not all dogs are bothered by the thunder/lightning but rather by the static electricity that builds up in their fur. The suggestion was to rub their fur with an unscented dryer sheet to remove the static at the first hint there might be a storm..... I don't know if this works because (so far) none of my guys are affected by storms. I figure it's at least worth a try.

 

[buck-wild-chick]

Ask your vet for , anatryptaline

It calms the dogs nerves.. We use it during storms and 4 th of july..

 

[Wolf-Kim]

All of our dogs do it, 3 German Shepherds and a mutt. Storms especially, but our oldest hates fireworks and any other "loud" noise. She will usually run around the house and search for a "safe place". We usually lock her in the bathroom, which is the center of our house, we leave the lights off. She usually just lays down in the bathroom(sometimes the bathtub) and sits it out. She is our worst, but it may be because she is the oldest. She has never done it bad enough that it caused us concern.

If it ever got too bad, we will use a little bit of benadryl, to help her relax. If it is as bad as you say it is, I would talk to the vet and have them prescribe a light sedative or anti-anxiety.

-Kim

 

[justusnak]

I can relate to the "scared dog" We have 3 poms, and a doberman. They have NEVER been afraid of loud noises....untill recently. We had a terriblly bad storm...so the dogs and I went to the basement, where our family room is....like we always do. We were sitting there rideing out the storm, when suddenly...CRACK!!!! Lightening hit our flag pole...and a bolt came through the window in the front of the house, and out the back window. It was less than 10 feet from us. Needless to say....NOW my dogs are afraid of every loud sound. Thankfully....the only thing destroyed was the flagpole...and the phonelines.

NOw when there are storms, the dogs ALL shake, pant, and pace. Its so sad to see them distressed.

 

[Sarree]

We got sedatives for our dog from the vet for when it storms. eventually we didn't need to give them to him anymore.

Sarre