My dog is really scared of storms!?

Question

My dog hates storms. I bring her in and sit with her. She still panics! What can I do!

Answer 1

My dog was abused, and I rescued him. He's gunshy AND scared of thunder. I asked my vet about it, as the website below suggests. He told me that the best thing to do was to find something my dog really loves- a favorite toy, treat, etc.- and try to soothe him with it during thunder. He's SO much more calm now. He's still a little nervous, but no longer pees on the floor or cries loudly. He's MUCH better. Good luck!

Answer 2

One thing I read (my dog tends to be frightened of storms, too) is to buy a CD of storm recordings, and play it at a really low volume for a few minutes, all the while petting your dog and giving him(her) treats. Over several weeks, increase the volume and the time spent playing the recording, while giving her treats. After a few weeks, she should be used to the noise of the storms. I don't know if it works or not yet, but the animal behavior book I read recently seemed to favor this method. Another idea might be to talk to an animal behaviorist. They usually meet with the dog, and work out a personalized plan of action.

Answer 3

It in reality relies upon on the dogs. I had Belgian Shepherds Groenendaels and the female hated storms and may get faraway from the outdoor and lie in my mom-in-rules storage coping with our residing abode. It develop into the only time she may damage out. The male ought to now no longer care a lot less with connection with the storms and that i had lightening hit the shed around the nook with the major deafening explosion of sunshine and sound. The male develop into contained interior the front outdoor in elementary words metres away and wasn't worried in any comprehend. I have a Kelpie who also isn't fazed through thunder. I have a 5 month previous Belgian Shepherd Malinois who hasn't been through a typhoon yet yet through actuality the advance is initiating accurate the following i visit desensitise him. in reality rather an attempt cos i have were given now no longer finished this till eventually now yet we get some huge thunder storms accurate the following and that i do now no longer go with him freaking out. through the way, all my dogs were outdoors dogs, although now no longer chained up. bzzflygirl: solid fulfillment along with your Belgian Shepherd. i imagine of they're tremendous dogs and make superb kinfolk individuals pets.

Answer 4

I've heard that melatonin works really well for dogs.

"hormone used by humans to treat insomnia.

Dr. Nicholas Dodman and his colleague Dr. Linda Aronson of the behavioral section at Tufts New England Veterinary Medical Center had been looking for something that would help reduce canine thunderstorm phobias when they discovered research papers on the effect of melatonin. Research indicated a positive effect of melatonin on dogs that continually lick their flanks as well as a calming effect on chickens in overcrowded conditions.

Drs. Dodman and Aronson wondered whether melatonin might work on noise phobic dogs. The first dog to try it was Dr. Aronson's own Bearded Collie who had severe thunder phobia after lightening struck very near her house. The effect of the melatonin was dramatic. The dog simply stopped being afraid instead of tearing around the house and digging at the carpets. The melatonin did not put her to sleep, she stayed awake and alert -- just not bothered by the thunder. "

more at : http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/behavior-phobia.html#Natural

Answer 5

all you can really do is just be with her and pet her. tell her she's a good dog. lol.

my dog growing up was half akita and half elkhound. he was around 80 lbs, and had a ferocious bark. he was very loyal, very loving, and super protective. if a stranger came in our yard or driveway, he'd go ballistic, and was really frightening. but as soon as i let you in, and he'd sniff your hand, he'd follow you around like he was a little puppy with a new friend.

anyhow, even my big ferocious dog was afraid of storms. he was trained not to come upstairs, but if it was thundering i'd find him on the floor next to my bed. i'd throw my pillow and blanket on the floor and camp out with him until morning. it made him feel better just to be around someone he loved. so, just be with the dog, and they'll be fine. animals are instinctively afraid of weather, theres no teaching them otherwise.

Answer 6

There was a storm by me last night - and my dog seemed glued to my leg the whole time. Kinda funny in a way. There's nothing you can do, But stay with them when it happens.

Answer 7

All Animals Hate Storms it's in their nature loud noises hurt their ears & it scares their my animals are the same way nothing you can do except reassure them everything will be fine

Answer 8

It's normal. Just bring to the basement and makes sure she can't here it. My dog is the same way except she just hates thunder. Go to the basement with her and play with her. This works very well with my dog.

Answer 9

the vet can and will prescribe seditives for storms and travel. this is true: my black lab was so afraid of storms that he would try to climb up on my lap and he always knew about a half hour early that it was gonna be a big storm, i never understood how he knew.

Answer 10

.All you can do is be there for your pet and reassure them that your there. Pet them like you normally do and speak normally. This should reinforce that it will be ok. Pretty soon you'll find the dog will get over being scare.