Have a Pet? How Do You Handle This?

How terrified does your dog get? It seems like it'd need to get very spastic to require tranquilizers. My dog follows me around when it thunders or when there's fireworks, but she seems to be okay as long as she stays in the same room as I am, for some odd reason.

I'm in Central West Florida, please send the rain up this way. It's very muggy here right now.


My current dog doesn't mind the storms but I grew up with several who were. They would try to dig holes in the basement or through the floors under beds (this was when we were up in Michigan). I never would have thought to tranquilize them for it. My parents would talk calmly to them, reassuring them that it's ok. Just like you would with a child who is scared. Of course I was usually also in need of reassuring cause I don't do storms. That might be an idea. Tell her that you need her to help you through it. Ask her to sit with you and protect you. Can't hurt?

If you've tried several different methods and nothing works, perhaps giving her the tranquilizers is the best thing for her. She might be half-asleep, but at least she is not scared out of her mind. I'm sure when she comes off the tranquilizers she probably has no memory of it anyway.

You didn't say how she behaves when the thunderstorms come around, but I have heard of dogs who become destructive to their homes and themselves. I would say if this is the case with her then definitely tranquilize her.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

well,my dogs just try to sit in a safe place while there is any fireworks or thunder..........They are very much scared......its because their ear is very sensitive to sound and very much excess of it terrifies them......

How about this?
Does your dog like music?..........Try{on a peaceful day and not when its scared} using a head phone and put some very mild music at a low volume...........in this way I think your cute dog can over come the storm.............May your dog like music..........But,dont force,if it doesnt want..........

Cheers!

Ear plugs and blind fold? Poor Puppy! I wish I knew. Is she better if she can see whats going on like out a window? HMMM? Maybe get her a hot puppy date and romantic dinner for 2 to take her mind off the storm???? But be careful or you might just end up with little grand-puppies.

I probably ask an expert at dog training for the best solution!
But until then i let it do anything that it wants.

Do you have an area of your house that you can let the dog use part of as a den? Put a crate or carrier in there leave the door open and just let her stay in there. Put some bedding in there along with a few toys. This will make her feel safe. By picking her up and making a big fuss, you are encouraging her fear. Let her be. Our husky doesn't like loud noises these days. We just carry on as usual and he will settle down in one of the back bedrooms. Have you ever read the books by Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer? There is a ton of great information in there.

my dog used to sit in the corner and cry at any sort of loud noises, we thought it was to do with the fact that his previous owners abused him:/

When he got scared I used to lie down with him and give him as much attention as I could:)

I had a 2 dogs and a cat that was petrified of thunder and well as fireworks.
The one dog "KC" would start trembling and panting heavily AT LEAST 40 minutes before there was any sign of a storm approaching. I was told that some dogs are just more sensitive to the energy changes before and during a storm. I tried the tranquilizer on her, it didnt make any difference, she'd still climb under a chair, as big as she was! If you sat on the chair she lay under it felt like one of these massaging chairs going full blast. I did find however, that to keep her near me, lights on if the storm is on, and some loudish music playing - did seem to lesson her stress. The small dog - well she was just happy to be wrapped up like a baby and held (she weighed under a kg at full growth). The cat, well as the saying goes, cats dont have masters - they have staff would remind me that nothing would stop her from bolting and been gone for days IF I didnot lock her up during a storm. Fireworks - I am sure frightens a lot of animals and unless they are totally made illegal for any festival! our animals will have to suffer as they do through a storm. Best of luck with your precious pets!

oh i know how you feel...i have a cat who is terrified of thunder and lightening, what i did was, i put him in my closet where it was dark and quiet, i put his blankets and food with him and he did settle down a little bit, if you have a walk in closet you could try that, it cuts out the noise of the thunder and also the pet cannot see the lightening....i would not sedate my cat if there was a storm or fireworks or anything like that, he does not mind being shut in the closet because there's no noise and he cannot see the flashes...so maybe try that if you have a big enough closet for your dog to stay in...good luck...