A Dog Afraid Of Thunder Can Be
Overwhelming And Heartbreaking
Patience Is Key for A Dog Afraid Of Thunder!
For a dog afraid of thunder, our blog holds the very best information on the internet for dog thunder phobia.
You'll find hundreds of comments from our visitors as well as a review that we did on the thundershirt. We actually donated a thundershirt to one of our visitors whose dog had a SEVERE case of thunder phobia. You can read the review and much more here on our blog.
The pacing, drooling and trembling that accompany a thunderstorm are common panic and anxiety related symptoms. Some dogs afraid of thunder will simply pace until they find a quiet, tucked away place that allow them to feel safe.
On the other hand, many dogs react differently to thunder and lightning. They too pace, drool and tremble, but also desperately search for an escape by digging, clawing, chewing and even jumping through windows. This is a condition known as "thunderstorm phobia".
It is common for dogs afraid of thunder to also be afraid of fireworks, yet some know the difference. Our dog suffered with "thunderstorm phobia" for 14 years, but fireworks don't bother her at all. She could accurately tell you when a storm was on the way and she was right ninety nine percent of the time.
The one thing many say and I don't completely agree with is "not to coddle" your dog too much. They say that this can actually make the dog more anxious and his thunderstorm phobia worse. I do believe that you should always speak gently yet firmly. I think that each dog is individual and a general analysis doesn't hold true for every dog.
**Why You Should Read The Product Review That We Did on The Thundershirt First - Before You Do Anything!
I have found that by not getting myself worked up, actually helps my dog. Keeping an eye on her, yet going about my daily chores and acting like "it's not a big deal" has helped in my own situation. However, I never leave her during a thunder storm.
Read the tragic story of Max. Another yellow lab just like our Lulu whose thunder anxiety would ultimately seal his fate. Please see our blog for more information and comments from others dog owners on dogs and thunder phobia.
Helpful Tips For Dealing With A Dog Afraid Of Thunder
- A snug fitting t-shirt may help a little by acting as a security blanket.
- Others have had success with the product called "Pet Rescue Remedy" by Bach.
- If your dog scratches at the walls and floors, we suggest placing dog boots on him/her during the storm.
- For a dog scared of thunder, we recommend turning the radio and t.v. up loudly to help drown out the sound.
- Provide a safe place for him and encourage, but don't force your dog to go there. Since most dogs with thunderstorm phobia will look for tight quarters, a little igloo doghouse somewhere in the home (NOT OUTSIDE) can make him feel like he's safe. Never use a crate for dogs afraid of thunder, dogs with severe thunderstorm phobia can hurt themselves trying to escape.
- De-sensitization is a method used to introduce your dog to his fear of "thunder". A CD of a thunderstorm is played at a low volume, then the volume is increased over time. Unfortunately, this does not always work for the severe cases of thunderstorm phobia.
- Distract your dog and take his mind of of his fear of thunder by playing with him.
- For a dog afraid of thunder, always use positive reinforcement and associate good things with a thunder storm. Stay calm and relaxed and reassure him that "it's o.k.", but don't fuss over too much.
- Homeopathic Remedies include Phosphorus HPUS Pellets, Aconitum Napellus and Bach Flower.
- For severe cases of "thunder phobia", prescription drugs seem to be the only help. Keep in mind that these are very powerful drugs and your dogs ability to climb stairs, etc. could be impaired. Never leave him alone when he is on any form of sedative. Most veterinarians prescribe sedatives such as Acepromazine, Tranxene or Buspirone or Propanolol and Inderol which are beta-blockers.
Thunder phobia is something that your dog cannot control. A dog afraid of thunder requires plenty of patience and love on behalf of the owner, this is something that dogs give to humans unconditionally on a daily basis.
If you're confused about what to do for your dog afraid of thunder, please consider purchasing a thundershirt for your fur baby. We recently did a product review of the ThunderShirt where we donated the shirt to one of visitors whose dog is severely thunder phobic.
You'll find more help on our blog than anywhere else on the internet when it comes to dog thunder anxiety.
Read stories from others who are struggling and are in your same situation or worse. Research our blog for ideas and help if you're struggling on what to do for a dog's fear of thunder.
It's important to read the comments as well, because there's alot of information tucked in the comments too. Read more HERE!
