Hello. My mother's dog is afraid of thunderstorms and lightening. In regards to the lightening, he is even afraid when we get out a camera and the flash is used! For all of these fears, he starts to shake uncontrollably and wants to either hide or stay right by your side.
It's so sad to watch....
We live in Florida, so thunderstorms are not something we can get away from!
I hear that you aren't supposed to soothe them by petting them because it will teach them that what they're doing is the right thing? But, I can't stand to NOT touch him or pet him while he's shaking....
HELP!!!!
Thanks :)
2007-09-21 04:37:28 · 26 answers · asked by Julie 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
that sucks.
my dog used to do the
same thing but she got used
to it after a while.. good luck
2007-09-21 04:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain...my dog developed the same problem over the past year. I still cannot for the life of me figure out how it started, considering we had her during two summers in North Carolina where it thunderstorms just about every day (similar to Florida)...anyway I did a ton of research about the issue and unfortunately I couldn't find an easy solution. It is possible to break your dog of nervous habits for some things like the vacuum, for instance, or other noises, but with storms, it often has to do with the change of atmosphere. Apparently dogs are very sensitive to changes in pressure and they can sense when a storm is coming and react to it before you, as a human, even know it is coming! It is true that you shouldn't pet or try to protect your dog from the storm, because that could make the problem worse, as the dog thinks the fear is rational. (I know it is incredibly hard to ignore the dog, though!) The only thing I can suggest to you is take your dog to the vet and try to get a prescription for some "doggy prozac" (sorry I can't remember the exact name of the medicine)...the only bad thing is (well besides the fact that you have to drug your dog..) that you have to give it to the dog 1-2 hours before the storm starts. How the heck are you supposed to know when a thunderstorm is coming 2 hours in advance? The pills don't solve the problem, but it makes it a little more managable. You can definitely try desensitization techniques (talk to a trainer or do some research)...that might work especially when it comes to the camera flash (my dog began hiding from that, too). Good luck...and if you find a solution, let me know!
2007-09-21 09:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by su_gru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason some dogs do that during thunderstorms is because it is very very loud to them just think of how loud it gets for you now times that by 10..you can try giving him his own space during the storm maybe when he finds the spot to hide in give him his pillow, blanket or whatever it is he comforts himself with an let him be or you could do this & then sit a bit away from him & wait...he may come tou you he may not.
2007-09-21 04:49:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You heard wrong.
Comfort and soothe them as much as you can,.. even sing to them.
I'm in Western Canada, ... British Columbia and 2 days ago my dogs were yipping/whining to come in,... for no reason,..once in the house they followed me everywhere, in every room,... right at my heels.
I was literally tripping over them,.. they were acting very strange, scary,.. worse than a shadow.
Even to the basement which the dogs don't ever go.
Then much to my surprise an hour later, there was a sudden loud clap and series of roars of thunder!!! A big hail storm too. The skies darkened without warning,... it was NOT in the forecast,.. even took the weathercasters by surprise when I watched the news later.
So dogs eerily sense an upcoming weather change way ahead of time and are naturally fearful of.
You would comfort a child, wouldn't you?
I even put radio music on to distract them.
2007-09-21 04:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find a dog sits on another dog to establish rank. I see this the opposite of you - its not comfort - its authority - and the dog takes advantage of your first dog`s nervous nature. I have 2 dogs - one female is the ranking dog and when the second dog has a bone - the ranking female will slowly back up and try to even sit on the first dog - or if not, stand over her. She will continue to do this until the first dog gives up the bone - or I intervene. Dogs don`t pig pile on top of each other as adults for comfort - its always authority. Dogs hide from things they are afraid of because they cannot rationalize the fear. Its like the `boogie man` with children- the child hides under the covers hoping it will just go away. I would not permit the second dog to sit on the first dog - and I would insist that second dog not be clinging to me either. I find it is genetic - my two dogs could care less about storms - I had one the other night. Yet my old dog (now passed) was bothered by them.
2016-05-20 01:01:55 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whatever you do dont use the strobe light hes stupid, that can give your dog a seizure or something terrible.
my dog was the same on her first rainy night and then she got over it eventually show him shes safe and keep him warm.
and soothing him and petting him will not teach him its the right thing it will teach him youre okay and that he should be
okay too.
now if youre dog jumped on and scratched you and you petted him then that would teach him its okay. because he got love in return but when hes scared and you show him love and safety he will feel safer and no longer be scared in time of course. the reason hes scared is because hes never heard anything like that and he cant see where its coming from or why and sometimes i think my dog wants to talk and gets frustrated cause she cant lol.
2007-09-21 04:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by mhmm(; 1|22|11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably more about the sudden-ness of the flash(both lightening and camera) and the sound of the thunder(dogs have finer hearing,therefore it can affect them to a more severe degree.
Talk with the vet about this as there maybe some way to lessen the affect on the dog. Also,ask about the "no reassuring touch"thing!
Best of luck to you and the dog!
2007-09-21 04:58:58 · answer #7 · answered by THE Cupid HATER 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try putting music on loud enough to make it what the dog mainly hears. It might help soothe the dog down. Then as soon as the shaking goes down you could try to pet him and he will stop in all. If music doesn't help at first then try bring him some of his favorite food. Just like guy you can get to them with something that makes them happy in they're stomach.
2007-09-21 04:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by scott r 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Feeling fear and anxiety is not "wrong" and YES comfort the animal when he is afraid... wouldn't you want someone to comfort you if you were scared? Same thing.
Some dogs are very fearful of thunder and lightning... sometimes because of a traumatic past event, other times, just because they are scared!
whatever the reason, it's not bad behavior to be scared.... and petting the dog is an offering of reassurance.
2007-09-21 04:46:02 · answer #9 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know its very normal for dogs to act like that during a thunderstorm. I had a dog run off one time and never come back to the house when we had a bad one. I've never heard that you aren't suppose to comfort them. I wonder if you could call your vet and ask them what you should do? See if they know.
2007-09-21 04:43:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately when dogs are skittish like that, it rarely ever goes away. Think of how hard it is for you to get over things you are scared of. Its not like you can reason with the dog to calm his fears, so i would just pet him or do whatever is necessary to make him feel safe and secure.
2007-09-21 04:43:12 · answer #11 · answered by Kristi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋