Every time it storms or there are fireworks, my dog goes insane. It knocks things over to try and burrow and if we put it in the bathroom with a radio and the exhaust fan and the lights on, it bangs the door so hard that it has broken 3. We can never sleep if it rains either because the dog is scared when it rains too. IF there is no way to calm her, we will have to get rid of her, she is destroying our house. I've tried 3-4 kinds of pills to calm her and we've let her loose a couple times to find a "safe" place but all she does is break things. ANy suggestions?
2007-08-19 07:38:18 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like she should have been better socialized to noises, rain, etc when she was a puppy.. When it storms crate her.. It makes no sense to get rid of a dog cause they have a problem like that.. Have you even tried talking to your vet about the problem??
When puppies are young, you go outside WITH them, and show them that rain isn't bad, storms aren't bad.. And you end up with an adult that will go out and pee when it's raining.. sleeps thru thunderstorms.. It's not hard..
2007-08-19 07:47:23 · answer #1 · answered by DP 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about his, but you should not get rid of her. It is not that big of a deal. What you should do, is empty out a room of all its sharp objects, tables, and chairs and just leave soft things like sofas, couches and soft padded chairs. When ever there is a thunderstorm, go into the room with her and keep her calm, I would turn the lights down low because bright lights could aggitate her. Close all the windows in your house. Do not let her go outside alone because that is the stupidest and the worst thing you could do. She could break free and get hit by a car because of all that running. If not that then she may never come back. Also, when in the "safe room", try singing to her a soft lullaby to soothe her. You should also keep her close to you, hold her and make her feel loved. You should also maybe consider moving... WHERE DO YOU LIVE THAT HAS FIREWORKS SO CLOSE TO YOUR HOUSE!!! If you are outside with her in the rain, she will learn that it is not that bad. Sing to her when you are out side with her. Also give her treats so that she will associate treats with the rain.
2007-08-19 07:57:26 · answer #2 · answered by Mt. Everest 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go buy a crate!
Crate the dog during storms.
Give the minimum dosage of the pills if you need to and put the dog in a safe secure place (his crate). Give him a favorite toy to take his mind off the noise.
To actually help the behavior:
Try to get him used to light rains via taking him outside and giving treats and praise for staying clam. Step up the amount of rain over time and go out when there is slight thunder. Work with him. Call a trainer/behaviorist if you have to.
Dont put the dog down because he gets scared though. Help him get over his fear, and please give him a safe place to go when he gets scared. Imagine his perspective. It would be like being in someone else's home during a hurricane, youre just never going to feel safe-he needs his own place where he knows he's not going to get hurt.
2007-08-19 07:57:39 · answer #3 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the vet. I am assuming the pills were given to you by the vet, bit I'd ask for a referral to a dog behaviorist. They don't cost THAT much money and are well worth it. Plus have you considered crating in the meantime. Whatever is going on it doesn't sound normal to me. I would suspect something, at some time, might happened to her that made her fear the sound of thunder..could even been fireworks at Fourth of July..anything. I'd seek professional help before I'd even think of getting rid of the dog. There's no reason to think it can't be worked out.
2007-08-19 07:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by SageHallo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are trying the right things, I'll give you that. And it's very clear your dog is scared ****less of storms and fireworks. I would maybe ask a professional trainer for help. All these standard things to try obviously aren't working. I mean outside of having an empty room set aside which isn't really a solution I can't think of anything else but a trainer might.
2007-08-19 07:48:03 · answer #5 · answered by theresa b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try some training, I know it might not work. When there is no storm, get storms /firework, tapes (sounds of storm) and practice with her.
Keep it low, to the point where you know that she responds to it, acting frantic. Keep it there and try to distract her, take her mind off the sound. Playing with a toy, her favorite treat, food anything. Do it over and over like that until she gets use to it.
Then turn it up, some until she starts freaking out and repeat the same process as above. Until hopefully she totally ignores the sound.
About her freaking out with a storm/firework. You might want to talk with the vet, they might have some heavier drugs to help her calm down. Or you might want to try a crate, of some type so she might not be able to hurt herself. When she acts up like that just be firm with her, tell her what you want her to do, like go lie down. Refocus her energy on listening to you.
Hope this helps....
2007-08-19 07:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by MoonWolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely disagree with Greekman. There is no reason to put your dog "down". Your dog isn't in pain or sufffering any type of injury. I suggest that you contact your Vet and set a date so you and her/him can come up with a solution and possibly some type of medication. My uncle has a chocolate lab, she is terrified of fireworks, so they went to the Vet Clinic and got a medication for her. On 4th of July, they give it to her and she sleeps through the whole thing. It does hurt or stun your dog, it just relaxes them (kind of like a laughing gas, but it's not a gas). So, call up your Vet and try to set a date! Good luck!
2007-08-19 07:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by jazmin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My dog get scared too but not like that . I would try to get some professional help like training with the dog take her some obedience classes and see if they offer one on one too and then try that before doing anything else .
2007-08-19 07:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by Jen P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you got to watch the dog whisperer , you need to not allow the dog to run about , put the dog in a down stay , ot crate the dog when it is displaying this behavour . Do not permit the dog to get into that state . distract the dog , do obediance with lots of praise when there is a storm ,
2007-08-19 08:53:27 · answer #9 · answered by MASTIFF MOM 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. do the right thing and put the dog down. Can you imagine YOU living life like that? That is not fair to the dog to live its entire life in fear. Do not get rid of her, put her down instead.
ADD: For all those who do not agree with my opinion here, let me ask you this. Is that how you would want to live your life? Always feeling threatened, always feeling like the world will kill you? No? Why would you want the dog to live like that? Most, or some of you should know that this dog's condition is caused by genetic issues, a problem that a lot of dogs here seem to suffer from. Why torture her and let her live like this? Is it to satisfy your needs to have a dog alive regardless of what she feels? Think............
2007-08-19 07:45:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋