From the article: Dogs and Thunderstorm Phobia
Noise phobias can be serious problems for many dogs. Dogs with noise phobias become extremely frantic and overwhelmed with fear due to storms, fireworks, and other loud noises. Owners who see their dogs experiencing this fear usually feel helpless and frustrated. Has it happened to you? How did you deal with it? Share stories about your dog's fear of loud noises and tell us what worked for you (and what did not). Plus, and find out about other owners' experiences and solutions for noise phobia and anxiety. Tell Your Story
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- My dog has always been afraid of storms . But after my husband died she solved her problem herself. She goes into his office and curls up on his couch and waits it out
- —Guest tina
Fear of Thunderstorms
- When the thunder is still in the distance, my dog starts barking & making a fuss. Let her in the house once & she just bark & up down the living room. Someone was here at the time & they asked if she was, that way all the time & I told them yes, that why she stays outside. Her barking is something else.
- —Guest Irma Waldrop
Thunderstorm Phobia
- Our 3 yr old dog is very nervous during thunderstorms. We tried tranquilizers but he was still quite nervous if he didn't get the med ahead of time. Now during a storm we move to the bedroom where he goes under the bed. We have found that as long as one of us is touching him in some way that he is calmer. He pokes his head out from under the bed, I rub him with my foot or put a foot on both sides of him - cradling him between my feet. He tends to be more calm if I do that. If he just can't seem to get settled enough to make it under the bed, then my husband holds him (50 lb dog) in his lap and rubs him. Recently he has started barking at the thunder then comes to us for some comfort until the next thunder.
- —Shirlangell
omg cont
- he somehow pryed the wood trim from the walll and also the window casings. the sgag carpet was half pulled up as was the padding. he chewed on the closet doors he scratched the locked door creating a half inch paw groove,he was not injured. he chewed the cord to the lamps he pulled out of wall outlet and both where found inside closet which was now missing its mate it lay tilted at at 40 degree angle supporting the newly amassed pile. thats the day i learned how to speak dog. i am even leaving some details out. remember this was 1978 and oh.. his name DOOBIE i found hi, stranded ina frozen field at the summit of the grand teetons, in a little city called Du Bois wyoming.did i mention it was also 3 a.m. at a KOA campsite. whose advertising slogan was 'comfort zones" enjoy
- —Guest bunny robin
Something to try during thunderstorm...
- My Chihuahua as usual was panting and shaking as she does when a thunderstorm comes... sure enough, I looked online and there's a thunderstorm on it's way. Nothing usually quiets this fear, except for tonight! I tried taking her out to go potty on the leash and when she came back in she was not shaking or panting anymore... it's like she faced her fear and she knew what it was once she was able to get out in it. Not sure if this will continue to work, but I'll keep trying it!! Best of luck to all... give this a try and let me know if it works for you. I'm all for the natural remedies if they work.
- —Guest Sarah
ThunderShirt....magical solution
- I recently purchased a ThunderShirt for my 9 year old dog for thunderstorms. It is amazing! Instead of using drugs, she simply lays down and is calm regardless of the severity of the storm. I purchased a second for my 3 year old dog for general anxiety.....it is very calming to her too. I have recommended the ThunderShirt to friends who found it worked like a charm for their dogs' anxiety issues. At $36 plus shipping, it is a magical solution for different fear related behaviors in dogs, without the use of drugs. It can be ordered on "Thundershirt.com". The veterinarians who I work for have started to recommend it to our clients.
- —Guest lirydells
Start them out loving fireworks!
- Try making it fun and taking them for walks during fireworks. I start out with my pups or young dogs in my arms and we watch, then approach. Soon it is a game and fun and they sleep through the night unconcerned after their walk.
- —Guest Furrygodmother Hawaii
melatonin works!
- One of my Pointers suffered horribly during storms, even before they began. panting, whining, uncontrolable shaking...nothing worked til I discovered that by giving him 3-6mg of melatonin is the answer. As soon as he begins to react, or if I know a storm is coming, I give it to him and he is 90% better. He still acts fearful and clearly upset, but the panting, shaking and trying to hide are gone. melatonin is a natural chemical in the brain, it is responsible for calming and promoting sleep, like a natural valium. There is NO side effects, it is an all natural substance and it really works, and better than anything else I have tried such as rescue remedies found at pet stores. Find it at any store that sells vitamins...
- —melmac4
Fireworks, help with a cd
- I have recently come across a cd based that helps you treat your dog if it is scared of fireworks, see sounds scary,excellent,it helped my dog
- —Guest Derick
pain
- Is it fear or PAIN? Having ultra sensitive hearing - loud, sharp noise can mean real pain...even if it doesn't seem loud to you.
- —Guest prince-gray
Fireworks are really bad
- My dog is really scared of fireworks. However when we first found out was when he was less than a year old. He acts really crazy. He practically messes up every thing to get the sound away. Trust me the only way to stop dogs Is to keep them inside.
- —Guest
Boxer scared of anything that goes bang
- When I picked up my Boxer, Winston, he was seven weeks old and I was getting him from a friend of mine. My friend was having a 4th of July party which included fireworks. After finding my puppy not liking them I put him in my friend's truck while we watched. Well afterward we went to the truck to get Winston and he had gotten so scared he pooped all over my fiend's truck. Well to this day he's scared of anything that goes bang. So keep your dogs home - they really don't like fireworks and big bright lights in the sky as much as you.
- —Guest darrmann
animal lover
- when a storm is apparent i sit with my dogs (bouvier/ australian shepard) and talk to them and rub. massage them and ti relaxes them....i think it distracts them. keep them busy so they don't even know it is happening...most animals pick up your anxiety and fear so you need to be calm and then doggie will do the same....
- —Guest Carol
Our Hero
- Due to the nature of our family and dog knowing each other well, (and her being extra protective,) was unfortunately one of those dogs who had that fear factor, but I believe it was a good thing, in this situation. My parents were in town visiting with me, and of course we were out and about, shopping and dining. We came home for the evening and I found my poor pooch quivering and whining, uncontrollably. I immediately grabbed the remote control from my fathers hands, and flipped a few stations, to discover we were already in the stage of a tornado waring, when in fact it didn't even show any signs of a storm coming our way. It was evening and already very dark out, so we would not have seen it coming. Blessings come in many different forms.
- —Guest Bree 53
T-storm & Fireworks Phobia
- As a veterinarian I see quite a lot of dogs that suffer from phobias to thunderstorms, fireworks or other noises. Your veterinarian can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, such as Valium, for your dog to help him/her during such episodes. Tranquilizers alone (such as Acepromazine) are generally not recommend as they do not treat the anxiety itself. For the long run, behavior modification is needed to desensitize and counter-condition your dog to the triggers (T-storms, etc.) of the anxiety. This should be done with the help of a specialist, such as a veterinary behaviorist. To find one in your area visit the website of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Keep in mind that reassuring your dog while he is hiding or trembling will reinforce the anxiety and actually tell him it's okay what he is doing - which it is not! Ignoring your dog during the anxiety attack is much better, as it will not reinforce the anxious behavior.
- —dvmpdx
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