My dog + thunder = extremely scared and hiding!
By Sasselle
@Sasselle (698)
Australia
February 19, 2007 5:11pm CST
Does anyone have any good tips on dealing with dogs who are scared of thunder?? Although today was supposed to be clear skies there are a few dark clouds looming about and we've been hearing thunder for the past few hours.
My Maltese Shihtzu is currently sitting in a corner shaking and i'm not sure what i can do to calm her down. She seems to get even more agitated if i come after her and apart from picking her up and carrying her around with me for cuddles [which is not a viable option as ihave a 3 month old who needs attention too] i'm not sure on what i can do to calm her down.
Does anyone have any helpful suggestions??
3 people like this
10 responses
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
19 Feb 07
My mom had a dog like that. It was an Irish Setter. She used to go crazy when we had a storm. One day she broke a window while she was freaking out. My mom had to get medicine from the vet to calm the dog during a storm. I would check with a vet if it gets real bad.
2 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
Oh the poor little thing, I guess most dogs are a bit scared but then so am I, maybe if you put some music on a bit louder than normal or the television to try muffle it it a bit...good luck with this I know it is a worry for you...
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
The only thing that I have ever heard of and works is, Buy a CD with thunder on it,play it around the dog , low at first then gradually turn it up each day or so, just reassure the dog and praise with good behaviour, soon she shouldnt even worry about the noise. Good Luck with it.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
20 Feb 07
LOL my tip is to count your blessings, we had an Old English Sheep dog that was also afraid of thunder, fireworks, or anything loud like that - now Vegas weighed over 100 pounds and any time there was such a noice he would do his best to get under my bed, he did not fit but he tried every time.
@Sasselle (698)
• Australia
20 Feb 07
*laughs* oh you poor thing - would have been funny to watch ... well obviously not funny for him! Very lucky that she's only a little thing - but she manages to squeeze herself into extremely small corners to hide and sometimes we just can't get her out
@ctinabina (386)
• United States
19 Feb 07
What about petting your dog and giving her tons of treats? I did this with my dog when she was scared of fires in the fireplace and it worked. She now associates fires with positive experiences and, more importantly, getting treats!
@rudeboiii (205)
•
19 Feb 07
Well what does he do my cats just run all over the place i just wait for it to pass then they calm down
2 people like this
@monalizra (219)
• Romania
20 Feb 07
all my dogs are scared of thunder too, or gunshots. they are running scared to hide everytime. they know it's dangerous, we can't blame them
1 person likes this
@doodlebug5250603 (1993)
• United States
21 Feb 07
I don't think that there is much you can do about that. I had a dog that was scared of new years and 4th of july, because of the fire works. I just had to wait until it was over with. He would always run off and hide, but there's not much you can do... They just have to grow out of it, like we people have to when we are scared of something.
1 person likes this
@scarydog (170)
•
21 Feb 07
Hi Sasselle... Grommit's got the same problem....only worse.... not just thunder but fireworks... even anything that goes bang on the television.... and he shakes so much think he's gonna have a heart attack!!
Anyway, if you go to www.dorwestherbs.co.uk and look for 'scullcap and valerian' tablets.... ok this is in the UK but sure you can get them down there too.... completely herbal..... and when I know to expect things like firweorks usually give Grommit a couple twice daily for a couple of days before... and then down to 2 a day and then 1....or if it's sudden then just pop a couple down his throat straight away...... they do work well for him... even though he sleeps more than usual....but no side effects... if there were then he'd have gotten them! LOL.
All the htings about playing loud sounds to de-sensitize them haven't worked for Grommit or anyone else I know.... but the scullcap and valerian do work well for him..... Good luck
1 person likes this
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
20 Feb 07
I know a dog here which is scared of thunder too!! i dont think there is much you can do about it...try to calm him down when it happens, i guess that's all you can do...don't know, perhaps you should ask a veterinary.
1 person likes this
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