my dog is terrified of thunder and lightening she becomes destructive to try and get to a safe place. help?

Question

Live in countryside and have an outdoor kennel which she is happy in. She is a large dog and 11 years old.

Answer 1

Well what we do is when it starts thundering and lightening, get really excited and jump up and down, then the dog thinks that it is a good exciting thing! xx Good Luck xx

Answer 2

To help I would try a few things. First put a radio on that will mask some of the noise.. It sounds like people talking and this can help. Secondly make sure the lights are on as it usually gets darker when it having a storm this can be scary.. If you know a storm might be coming your way in advance try herbal calm tablets available from any pet store.. They are herbal so do no harm but really do help. Finally try to be with your Friend when its bad weather. Just being there will help.. If destructive take time to see that it is that causes it. Eg the noise the atmosphere, the darkness or the lightning. Then you can tackle it a bit better. I hope this helps a bit.. Michelle from England.

Answer 3

It is kinder to your dog to desensitise her so she can tolerate it. But the first problem is that some dogs are fine with loud noises, its thunderstorms that freak them out. Its a combination of the high air pressure, wind, lightning etc.
But you can get cd's of thunderstorm noises, you play it ver, very quietly and while it is on you act completely unconcerned. Never play it so loud that you get any reaction from her.
Eventually you can turn up the volume, and play it while she is eating; if she stops eating you have pushed too far too soon and must back off.

Basically thats all their is to a desensitising program. You can add variations; like teach her to go to bed while the cd is on in case you are out when theres a storm. If she's happier in her kennel it might be the best place for her when there is a storm.
The problem is that a cd doesn't recreate the whole experience of a thunderstorm, so this is a bit hit and miss and some dogs just aren't fooled by it.
The most important thing for you to remember is that you must all stay calm and unconcerned when there is a real storm.

Answer 4

It would be best if you could bring your dog indoors during the thunderstorm and put her in a darkened room (with the curtains closed). Maybe leave on a radio. You can also get a DAP Diffuser (like a plug in air freshner) that you need to put into that same room and leave it running - this is effective for up to 30 days. It spreads pheromones around the room, like the scent her mother would have emitted when she was born, and calm her down. Another alternative would be to get a mild sedative from your Vets. Although she would need to go along as the tablet is based on weight.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

i have not heard that music later on! lol yet i'm thoroughly and punctiliously lost - seems i decide on a sparkling problematical stress in my computer, coming Tuesday - with any success next Thursday I received't bypass over the Qs that I come lower back to at artwork on Fridays in confusion! so some distance as adulthood - whats up, i'm no saint - I thoroughly lose my mood right here, am cynical, shout, what-have-you - I revealed a not very mature Q some weeks lower back poking exciting at a consumer right here that i do not look after - not malicious options you - and oh nicely, my second of disgrace got here and went, no damage carried out. we are all genuine human beings and we are under no circumstances all going to get alongside. EDIT: Ahhh, it really is a facebook ingredient? i have not been on in weeks, i have quite been a hermit those very previous few months. i'm guessing I neglected some sh*t typhoon there? Ah, drama . . . .

Answer 6

My dog has this problem also. She will throw her whole body against the house trying to get in. She is so obviously distressed it is like she is having a panic attack. When I let her in, she is too scared to eat treats. Fire works and motorcycles are also bad. I have a blanket on the floor of the garage for her and a radio turned up to cover up the noise. Once inside the garage I talk to her and distract her. It doesn't take long for her to calm down enough for a doggy treat and then she'll fall asleep. Your vet may also be able to prescribe a "doggy downer" to calm her down.

Answer 7

Take her in if it looks like rain. Dogs are highly social creatures and much prefer feeling reassured beside you - safely inside the confines of the house - as opposed to being abandoned outside; alone, afraid, consumed by panic during terrifying weather "events". Have a heart.

Answer 8

Let her in the house and make a big fuss of her until the thunder stops. That is what i do with my 15 year old dog.

Answer 9

Tellington Touch (also called TTouch) is massaging that is beneficial to dogs, and it works especially well for dogs that are afraid of loud noises like thunder. A book you might like to consult is "Getting in touch with your dog" written by Linda Tellington-Jones. Search the web, there are quite a few web-sites available.

TTouches help for a wide variety of ailments and behaviour problems. I have used it extensively on my dog to alleviate arthritis-related pain. In the mean while, don't leave her all by herself outside! Best of luck.

Answer 10

My sister gives her dog (who goes APE SH*IT) a homoeopathic remedy, I can not recall which one (something like sulphur) you should ask a homoeopath, as they really do work. As long as you give them the right one... her husband dosed the dog with the wrong stuff and worked in so far as she didn't mind the fire works (she hates them more than thunder) but she spent the next few hours staring at a radiator!! Good Luck