Question:we've tried Rescue Remedy and CDs of thunder and rain. On the last go-round, we crated him - which usually calms him down - but he got all frantic and would clamp down on the cage with his teeth. To keep him from chipping a tooth, or worse, i kept hosing him with a squirt gun so he'd back away and did so until the storm passed (2hrs!) Vet has suggested some meds and we may be at that point!
Answers:
Storm anxiety is a difficult problem. All I can say is medication (clomipramine) during the spring/summer/fall when likely to get thunderstorms and desensitization. Desensitization techniques are difficult because they say that actually the dogs can feel a change in barometric pressure that triggers the anxiety. Here is a link you should explore:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/
and directly about storm anxiety...
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1654
Best of luck.
Other Answers:
I have two chihuahuas and they are terrified of storms.What I do is put them in bed with me or if I am on the couch, put them next to me and cover them with a small blanket. It makes them feel secure.
You don't say how big the dog is. If he's small, and you're home, hold him until he feels less afraid. If he's big, get down on the floor with him and pet him and speak to him in a soothing voice.
If you're going to be out of the house, put him in an interior room (bathroom?) and draw the blinds so it's as quiet as it can be, and play a radio or turn on the television. Give him his favorite toy to keep him company.
You may have done more harm than good with the squirt gun. Now he will associate the sound with getting squirted, which is something ELSE he doesn't like. He needs to be comforted until he is confident that the storm won't hurt him.
I had a golden retriever who hated storms, fireworks, and any loud, sudden noise (he even hated it if I had to yell at my teenager - and you've gotta know THAT happened a lot). He used to try to shove his entire 130 pound body under furniture. The only way we got him to calm down was to be with him. Eventually, he learned that the noise wasn't going to hurt him and that he is safe in the house.
Good luck!
If you're there when the storms hit talk to your dog in a calm voice just like you would do with a child. Also touch is important. Another thing is a "safe" place. Don't lock the dog up, but try covering the crate with the dogs blankets so that it will give the dog a feeling of safety. I have found though that talking and touch works best.
If your dog reacts badly to thunderstorms and you react by getting upset or by petting and trying to soothe him, you are actually reinforcing the behavior. You are saying to your dog "Hey! you are right, this is scary. Let Mom protect you." Instead of reacting that way, play with your dog.Does he have a favorite toy? Maybe like to chase a ball or play tug of war? Pick his favorite play time activity and do this with him as the thunderstorm starts. It will take his mind off the thunderstorm and might actually cause him to associate thunderstorms with playtime. Whatever you do, act as if thunderstorms are your favorite thing and you have no fear of them. Dogs take their cues from their pack leaders and that is you. Good Luck!
Our vet told us that it's not really the sounds or the lightning that were frightening our dog, but the severe drop in atmospheric pressure (which dogs can sense a lot more than we can). We had to put him on St. John's Wort to keep him calm.
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