Dog terrified of thunderstorms.Help!?

Question

My aunt has a dog who is terrified of thunderstorms. She has tried almost everything, but she is afraid she might have to give him away because he totaly destroys the house. Does anyone know anything that will help? Please help!

Answer 1

I have 5 dogs and 3 of them are very scared of thunderstorms. My vet recommended PETCALM It works great.

Answer 2

When you hear a storm coming ( rain,thunderstorms, lighting), put the dog in the crate and make it warm and cozy in there. Lay in front of the dog and confort it. It will make the dog feel relax because it has you by his side. If that doesn't work and the dog starts panicing, then contact your local vet. Tell your vet that you dog is panicing about thunder. She will give you some medicine that will calm the dog. Always put the dog in a crate when it is about to destroy the house. When you or your aunt is not home, and it is a stormy night, put the dog in the crate and give it his medicine. That way he will feel relax and calm. Hope it will work out!

Answer 3

I have the same problem. It's actually quite common. So, if your Aunt isnt going to be home, put the dog, thier food/water, and some toys in an easily enclosable space, such as a bathroom, or basement. Move anyhting valuable out of reach.

If she is going to be home, try sitting with the dog in a small, "safe" feeling room... dark, cozy. Try to find one where the noise of the thunder isn't as loud, or play soft, slow music to drown out the noise. Pet the dog and reassure it. That generally helps. But if it is scared, try to calm it down, then keep it with you for support... let it come into your bedroom, or keep it with you on it's leash. Your prescence helps it too.

Or, if you are home and a t-storm is coming, go for a long (or short, really fast) walk to tire the dog out some. It will have less energy for destructive behavior.

Answer 4

This is common, more common than you think. Mainly because dogs hear things like thunder at a higher volume than humans do.
Same thing for fireworks.

My only suggestion, and I got this from a vet years ago, is to sit with the dog and comfort him during storms. If that's not possible, try to keep him confined (to a crate or a small room where he can't destroy much) to lessen the damage.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Your vet should have some meds to help her out. A seditive such as Ace works well. This is a very common problem and usually can be fixed if the meds are given just before the storm. Good luck and don't give up yet!

Answer 6

Talk to a vet they have several diffrent meds that they can give her to calm the dog down, and also getting him a crate or something to go in to feel secure may also help! My poodle had the same problem and the vet gave him some meds for his nerves and they worked great! Good luck!

Answer 7

It's actually not good to comfort a dog during a storm because it tells them you are rewarding that behavior. Instead, try and take their mind off the storm by playing with them, doing tricks, something to distract them. If these options don't work then I would suggest taking them to the vet to help ease them.

Answer 8

Its quite common for dogs to be terrified of thunders and fireworks. She can get pills that relax the dog, something like tranquilizers. Vets sell them.

Answer 9

We have a dog that goes nuts at thunderstorms. Vet says not abnormal. He gave us some valium to give her if we know a storm is coming. Then she is calm and sleeps through most of it. Please call your vet. Stew

Answer 10

You can also try playing with the dog and giving him treats during the storm. This will make them associate something good with the storm. It worked for my dog/