Is your dog terrified of thunder?

Question

our dog casey (part collie,part retreiver) is so frightened of thunder he shakes so hard I am so scared he may have a heart attack. The vet gave us a pill to give him half hour before a storm but they dont seem to work, we hold him to comfort him but he still shakes, does anyone have suggestions to help him calm down, also tried gravol

Answer 1

Many dogs are terrified of thunderstorms...some to the point where they can harm themselves trying to get away. Try not to make too much of a fuss over the dog.

I have also heard that you can try to desensitise the dog by playing a thunderstorm cd at a very low volume everyday, gradually increasing the volume over a few weeks to months. The theory being that they will be less scared if you build them up and they get used to the sound.

It is important to note however that during this time they must not be exposed to an actual loud thunderstorm...otherwise you will have to start over. Also, if at any point during the exercise the dog becomes scared, it means that you have increased the volume too much too soon.

Results are not guaranteed but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it if you can find the time?

Answer 2

It's actually common for dogs to be afraid of thunder... Yes, sometimes prescriptions are given, but just like people they don't always work. What you can do, is try to crate train your dog. Dogs tend to take comfort in small enclosed areas. Which is why some of them will hide under beds or tables or even in bathtubs. I know some people do not believe in crate training and feel that a "cage" is cruel, and honestly it will take your dog some time to get used to it, but even if you leave the door open, it won't take away the fear, but it will provide him a place in which he can feel secure until the storm passes.

Answer 3

My dog isn't scared of thunder but is afraid of motorcycles (as I found out, having the Sturgis motorcycle ralley). I've heard a good thing to do for storms is to give them a comfortable, dark, covered place to hide. Continue talking to him, but if you do this, I'd think it'd be a bad idea to hold him as he might be confused about your hand coming from the dark. Don't have this place outside, though; have it somewhere like under your bed or in a covered crate (if you crate train). Turn up the television or radio and your voice. Speak calmly but loudly.

Also: I've heard about resistance training; recording/mimicking a storm and making it get louder and louder as your dog builds up a tolerance to it. I don't know that this works, though.

Answer 4

Most dogs are afraid of the thunder especially if its really loud. When growing up, we had large breed dogs GSD and they were terrified of the loud thunder and used to bolt into the house for cover and shiver with fear. I now have a yorkie, we seldomly get thunder or lightening here in Cape Town, but when we do she is afraid too.

There is really nothing much we can do for them, only re-asure them I guess that things will be ok, just give them that sense of security.

Answer 5

DO NOT HUG HIM AND COMFORT HIM!
This shows the dog that by our movements and viabrations and voice patterns that something is very wrong and that he should be scared because his masters (A.K.A protectors) are worried about something so then he naturally thinks everytime there is thunder that it's something REALLY bad.
I know it's really hard not to comfort him but try this a few times and if it doesn't work try going to a different vet.

Good luck
Nikki

Answer 6

I have a beagle and she is 11 years old and when I got her they never told me that she shakes when it thunders, so one day it was thundering and she started shaking and I thought their was something wrong with her, rushed her to the nearest animal hospital paid $180.00. Just to find out she is scared of lightning. I have found out if you put her in a dark room, all shades/curtains closed she does much better, because when she sees the flashes of light, she goes crazy, it definitely helps that she is in a dark room.

Answer 7

I had a dog, Shakespeare, who was absolutely terrified of thunder. He was a little bit chubby, and he would try to squeeze under the bed. If your dog is allowed on the bed, let him up their with someone, and cuddle with them. This makes them feel safe. Make them feel loved. I couldn't cure Shakespeare, but he was fine. Your dog is smaller, so she may get scared easily.

Answer 8

Casey must be young. Just like people, he will get less freaked out by it. Sounds like you are doing the right things. I used to be scared s...less of thunder and lightning. Sometimes it still scares the bejebees out of me.

Answer 9

i think all dogs are afraid of thunder. the best thing to do is to keep her in a room away from windows. that way, the sound of thunder and lightning would be minimized. if yours is a small dog, it would be best to hold her to keep her calm and give her a sense of security.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, I don't know that there's anything that can be done more. My mom's dog is the same exact way. The thunder claps, and she bolts for the closet or under the bed. But she survives, and your pup will too.