My four year old westie, male, has a panic attack when I run the dishwasher. He gets as far away as possible from the dishwasher, starts breathing very heavily, and shakes a lot. I worry about him in this condition. He even panics a little when I open the dishwasher to put dishes in or take them out. Does anyone know of anything I can try? He is also scared of thunderstorms, but has a totally different reaction. He barks constantly in this high pitched bark. He runs around the house nonstop. This is really bad, especially in the middle of the night. Help needed before another storm blows through. Thanks in advance.
2006-11-22 14:05:36 · 16 answers · asked by BECA 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Don't show any sympathy for the dog's fear. If you do, he will think you are scared too, and he'll be even more scared. Act happy and cheerful.
Get a tape recorder and record the sound of the dishwasher. Later, play it at a very low volume. Play with him or give him a treat. When he gets used to it at low volume, play it a little louder. When he gets used to that, even louder. In time, you can desensitize him to the noise.
You can use the same technique for the thunderstorm, if he still needs it. They sell recordings of thunderstorms.
2006-11-22 14:17:31 · answer #1 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Create a "safe space" by putting a crate or bed as far away as possible from the dishwasher. Put a radio next to it and turn it up. Take him there and give him a treat before you start the dishwasher. If you do this enough times, he may learn to go there himself, and if he does, he will get some comfort from having his place to go. For my dog it's the bathrooms that work best. I can run water and have the radio on, and it helps, but when thunder is booming, nothing drowns it out and we all just have to get through it. The safe space makes it better, though, especially if I can go there with her during a storm. Good Luck!!
2006-11-22 14:17:38 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact your vet and tell him what the dog does and when. Tell him you want something to give him during thunderstorms. As far as the dishwasher goes, try to show him that there is nothing to worry about. DO NOT baby him or tell him "it's OK" because that is telling him it's OK to act the way he does. Check out the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic channel. He is awesome and may have some ideas you can try.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
Good luck with him.
2006-11-22 14:19:25 · answer #3 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a carin terrier who does the same thing essentially. The best solution I have found is to ignore the activity/reaction. If we cuddle them when the events happen, they expect the same reaction. Dogs sense what you are sensing. If you have fear, they have fear, etc. The other thing that I do is put him in a small crate in a closet with a light. They are less likely to harm themselves or become a major annoyance to the neighbors. Sometimes, I take him to the object of concern and let him slowly figure out that it is not a problem. I have also heard of people making their dogs sit near the offensive object and give them treats. Acting normal and assertive is very beneficial. Tranquilizers take 20-30 minutes to work. Usually, by that time the threat is gone. It really isn't the safest option. Ask the vet for other advice.
2006-11-22 14:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by sab 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to desensitize him to the dishwasher. Run it more, not less. When it's off, treat and praise him near it. Praise bravery, ignore fear. Stand in front and call him over for a treat, catch him near it and praise him. All things good and yummy should happen near the dishwasher.
Once he doesn't hesitate to come over when it's closed and off, open it and call him over. Leave it open whenever it's convenient. Leave treats on the open door.
When you do turn it on, ignore him. The more attention you pay him, the more you "poor baby", and cuddle him when he shakes and seems scared, the more he will be convinced that the dishwasher is something to fear, and will get worse, not better.
For storms, there are herbal remedies. Go to www.arknaturals.com for more information.
Good luck
2006-11-22 14:20:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
OMG your just like I used to be. I had panic attacks all the time of throwing up. I had a lot of fears, one of them was thunderstorms. What you do is keep cool. Drink water and take deep breaths. Once you convince yourself you can control yourself, you will be able to.
2016-03-12 21:33:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignore the behavior. Go about your business just like you would at any other time. If you pay attention to them (hugging, cuddling, baby talking, yelling at them etc), you are just confirming the dog's fear that something terrible is happening. Do you care about the thunderstorm or dishwasher? No. If you don't care, they won't care.
2006-11-22 15:09:34 · answer #7 · answered by Daisy101 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, there is one solution. You can try washing dishes by hand and not using the dishwasher, this can maybe calm the dog down, try it a few times, even if its just a few dishes. About the thunderstorms, yeah my German shephard is EXACTLY that way. If this happens, bring him to your room and close the door and let him sit next to you by petting him or stroke him. It works everytime with my dog. Hope that helps.
2006-11-22 14:11:19 · answer #8 · answered by drcrusherrr 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
a childrens benydril helps. ALOT! Easier than a trank. Just put the pill in a piece of hotdog.
2006-11-22 15:24:35 · answer #9 · answered by hey_its_from_clare 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since he is a little dog, its pretty much all he can do to defend himself, and it isn't that uncommon with little dogs, just give him love when he comes by you, make him feel safe.
2006-11-22 14:24:53 · answer #10 · answered by skigrrrrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋