A Dog Afraid Of Thunder Can Be
Overwhelming And Heartbreaking
Although There Are Things That Can Help A Dog Afraid Of Thunder,
Patience Is Key For Owners Struggling With This Phobia
Is Your Dog Afraid Of Thunder
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 allows 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 has suffered with "thunderstorm phobia" for ten years, but fireworks don't bother her at all. She can accurately tell you when a storm is on the way and she is right ninety nine percent of the time.
The one thing that you should never do, is to "coddle" your dog too much. This can actually make the dog more anxious and his thunderstorm phobia worse. Always speak gently yet firmly.
Helpful Tips For Dealing With A Dog Afraid Of Thunder
- A snug fitting t-shirt seems to help a little by acting as a security blanket.
- 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 do not fuss over.
- 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.
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