Severe thunderstorm anxiety, help!

[labmomma]

I also read somewhere that the only relief for a dog that is "lightning shy" is to be around a dog that isn't. I don't know what the answer would be in this case.

[CountryWolf07]

Ahhh Amy, I can't stand your sister! She shouldn't own ANY TYPE of pets if she can't deal with them..

[butrrfly23]

I know your sister no longer has the dog, but I've had success with using desensitization and figured I'd post in case anyone else might benefit.

Get a recording (cassette tape or CD) of thunderstorm sounds (or any other sound that the dog is afraid of) and start by playing it at a very low volume. Low enough that the dog is not frightened by it. Give lots of treats and do the "jolly routine" (laughing and smiling) or play the dog's favorite game while the sounds are playing.

Continue doing these sessions and increase the volume slightly with each session. Each time the dog will become more and more accustomed to the sounds and will actually begin to relate the sounds with something positive.

It takes a bit of time and effort, but it's no different than any other positive reinforcement training technique.

As far as being around another dog that is not lightening shy, I think that has some merit. Dogs in packs definitely pick up on each other's energy (as well as their human's!) and if every other member of the pack shows no sign of fear over something, I think it can help the fearful dog to realize there is nothing to be afraid of. I was able to help one of my dogs get over quite a few fears by ignoring the fear completely, and also by not coddling her. I found that when I ignored the fear and acted like nothing was wrong, over time the fears started to go away. We haven't conquered all of the fears yet (she still hates to be around stainless steel dog dishes!) but there have been lots of successes.

I sure hope Skylee can find a good home!

[robinh]

I have two dogs who have the same problem. Molly (yorkie) and Carly (GSD mix) both just tremble and try to find a hiding place during storms. We use a natural remedy for them when we know that storms are coming. It doesn't put them out, but really relaxes them. We've tried the desensitizing route for storms and it didn't work with either of them.

The big problem we had this summer was the National Ballon Classic. It's a week-long celebration and race for hot air balloonists. They fly right over our house and Molly goes ballistic running about barking until she coughs or throws up. We talked to the vet after natural remedies didn't work. He finally gave us a prescription sedative. Every nice day when we knew the balloons would fly, Molly had to be sedated twice a day so that she wouldn't make herself sick. I felt bad about doing it, but I was so worried about her giving herself a heart attack I elected to take this route.

I hope Skylee finds a new home.

[mruffruff]

My dog, Samson, was never concerned about thunder storms until this spring. Now he will break down gates and doors in a panic when it thunders and no one is home. When I am home, he trembles and crawls as close as he can to me.

Desensitization won't work because he is getting senile. His brain no longer can process the sensations he's feeling. Unfortunately, he is passing this fear to Bella. She has never been afraid of storms. In fact, she lived in the woods for two years on her own before I got her.

I have a relaxer for Samson, but I can't be there to administer the drops in the afternoon (when the thunder always starts). They work for him, enough to get through an evening storm. When Samson is satisfied, Bella is OK.

I have no idea how to get Samson through an afternoon when I can't be there. So far, there have only been two panic attacks before I get home from work. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[pitc9]

Desensitization won't work because he is getting senile. His brain no longer can process the sensations he's feeling. .

That is what happens to Buddy too!!
All I can do is use cardboard to cover the glass on all of my doors and windows that he can reach (because he tries to break them out) and try to keep him down the basement with all the lights on and TV and I also run the vacuum to cover up the sound of the thunder.

When he was on Ace I was giving him 3 at a time but then it started to effect his breathing so now he's on Valium. But it doesn't work every time.

Sierra can and has slept through thunderstorms and fireworks! You'd think she'd help him calm down!