dog frightened by thunder

[sparky]

My dog, rescued from the Zuni reservation about 2 years ago, is extremely frightened of thunder. If there is even cloud build-up she gets nervous and when the thunder starts she starts panting and trembling. I live in Arizona and during the summer we have thunderstorms almost everyday. Is there anything I can do to relieve her anxiety?

[fireworksinjuly]

I dont know any tried and true methods.
My one dog is scared of fireworks (which stinks cuz I love them- hence my name) and all we do is cuddle with him.
Some thunder he has problems with but not as much as fireworks.
If my fiance and I are home we just cuddle with him and pet him...when we arnt home my fiances mother fills his gap and will cuddle with him.

[Carrie]

I haven't had a dog scared of thunder since I was a kid. I have always gotten out some special toys reserved for only that situation, very special toys and some treats. I start playing with them and have a party. We dance a little and make silly noises. I do not coddle or cuddle too much, as this can be misinterrpreted by the dog as a reward and approval of the shivering, cowering...like if he does all that, it's a great thing and so he'll just play it for all it's worth. I try to act matter of fact with them, but not entirely unsympathetic. I would say, just try and distract your dog with some fun and better things....treats for doing a trick or retrieving a ball or something....try to get his mind off of it. And make a fuss when he is doing OK.


Carrie

[Taz]

Originally Posted by Carrie

I start playing with them and have a party. We dance a little and make silly noises. I do not coddle or cuddle too much, as this can be misinterrpreted by the dog as a reward and approval of the shivering, cowering...like if he does all that, it's a great thing and so he'll just play it for all it's worth. I try to act matter of fact with them, but not entirely unsympathetic. I would say, just try and distract your dog with some fun and better things....treats for doing a trick or retrieving a ball or something....try to get his mind off of it. And make a fuss when he is doing OK.
Carrie

That method has been working well in our house. The last few weeks we have had a number of thunder and lighting storms, and the puppies were scared during the 1st storm, but it has been getting better each storm.

[NicksBuddy]

If none of the above suggestion work - awhile back I remember reading about a herbal remedy that is supposed to be very effective for calming dogs that are afraid of thunder or fireworks, etc. I think it was called Calm Moments, or something like that, and they said that it was available at most pet stores. It's not a sedative, these folks were using it to calm their dogs with a fear of thunder before competing at outdoor agility matches that were threatened by rain.

[Barrett]

We went camping for a few weeks of June thru the 4th of July weekend. We had thunderstorms almost every night. (picked the wrong week for vacation LOL) My dog had never heard thunder before and freaked out. She would bark like mad and shake. I just talked to her and pet her and told her that was enough. For the first few night all she did was bark, but by the end of the week she was so used to them she didn't notice them anymore. Then the 4th of july came and she started barking and shaking at the fireworks! LOL

Hopefully if you do have the thunderstorms often enough your dog will become desensatized enough and stop being scared of them.

[jackie_a]

I have a suggestion.
If you have a tap recorder record the sounds of the thunder, loud bangs fireworks etc.

Have you're dog near you or beside you and have hes favourite treats.
First get the dog to sit and just give him a few treats keep hes attention focused on you.
Play the tape at first very, very low as so only barley heard by the human ear.
The dog may start to shiver and get scared hide maybe but just call him gently and reward when they come. You must be patient.
If the dog does not give a reaction however, give him a treat and leave it for the next day each day gradually increase the sound level untill the dog is so used to hearing the noise he does not care.

Do not re-enforce the behaviour by picking them up and hugging them as they will think they are being rewarded for this behaiviour.

If you are confident enough to increase the sound levels within that session do so but ALWAYS reward for good behaivour.

Hope this proves helpful.

[fireworksinjuly]

Im sorry you all feel that cuddling with my dog cuz hes scared to death is bad and will make him do it more often. But it hasnt. He never cowers and shivers unless there are fireworks. So I think 4 times through out one summer is acceptable. Im sorry if this bothers anyone, but it works for me and my dog.

[Barrett]

Well, the reason we are told not to cuddle our dogs when they are scared of things is it tends to give them the message that they were right...this is scarey...even mom is scared...
If you act like nothing is wrong it lets your dog know there is nothing to be scared of and they can relax. This is mostly for everyday things like if my dog is scared of strange dogs when we go for a walk. I should act happy and non-chalant and let my dog see that the other dog does not bother me. If I pick up my dog and coo to her and walk away from every strange dog we meet she will think every strange dog is scarey and might eventually try and attack strange dogs to protect me. She won't get over her fear.
I don't think it is too bad to cuddle your dog when he is scared of fireworks. You are right, it's only a few times a year. But thunderstorms can happen many, many times a year and it would be stressful on a dog to be that scared all the time, it would be best to try and help that dog get over the fear.

[fireworksinjuly]

very seldom is Kino scared of thunder, only when they closely resemble fireworks, which around here isnt often. It rains all the time, but hardly ever thunders, and to add to that we usually have 10 months of winter...ok so its really like 7 but still...

But then again like I said before he never has problems with being scared with anything else, I would never pick him up and walk away from strange dogs...1- he weighs 50 pounds now and two hes not scared of them...its only fireworks...and he knows I love them cuz most of the time I leave him with "grandma" while I go watch them.

[DaxAriel's toy]

Why not turn on the radio - loud but not enough to completely block out the noise. Then party it up. Bring out special toys, treats, etc. If dog cowers - ignore her. If parttakes in the fun - praise. This way thunder starts have good circumstances not bad.

[Carrie]

EXACTLY! I agree. That's what I've always done and haven't had a dog afraid of thunder or fireworks since I was a young kid. We always have a party, so it not only distracts them, but the association with those loud noises is a wee of a good time...extra special treats, cake, icecream (lol) party hats, dancing.

Carrie