HELP!My Shih Tzu panics during rain showers and storms!?

Question

I have a 1 year old female Shih Tzu that is terrified of the rain.She shakes and over heats and won't eat or drink during a rain storm.I'm in such a hard spot b/c I truly feel for her and I try my best to help her,but nothing seems to work.I hold her,I pet her,I try to get her mind off of the rain,but absolutely nothing works and she gets herself all worked up until the storm passes.I'm asking this now b/c it is raining very heavy where we live right now and she is almost making me cry b/c I feel so bad.Please,HELP!

Answer 1

First, stop doing what you are doing, you are making the problem worse. You are rewarding her for being afraid of the storm.

For tonight, take her in a room away from windows, (lighting can also become a trigger) and play some music to try and drown out the sound. Ignore her, give her a place to hide if need be, but don't give her any attention, and don't let her see you look at her.

Tomorrow go out and find a cd of a rain storm. Play it starting it the lowest volume. Gradually increase the volume until your dog reacts. As soon as she shows she going to react fearfully, turn it off. You don't want to freak her out completely, but you need to know wear to start. Remember the volume setting where she started to get scared, write it down if you have to.

The next day play the cd, play it lower than volume where she got scared. With the cd playing, feed her, pet her, play games, do obedience. You are trying to make the cd a positive thing.

Do this a couple times a day. Each day gradually increase the volume. Give yourself a big pat on the back when you can turn it up to the volume that scared her before, keep working up gradually until you can play the cd at full volume.

If at anytime she starts to show fear, stop the cd and end the session. Don't do another one until the next day. The next day start a couple levels lower than the day before and work your way up again.

It'll take some time and effort, but eventually your dog will handle the storm like a champ.

Answer 2

One of the cheapest and easiest things you can do without spending lots of money on anxiety pills for dogs is to create a snugged closed-in kennel like area, something that the dog would just fit in. Perhaps putting some blankets under the bed for the dog to hide in or even a pet taxi that is sized to the dog.(sometimes you will have to follow the dog and see where it wants to hide and then build/put it there) The more closed in it is without cramping the dog the better. Naturally when the dog is in fear or discomfort these are the places they will naturally want to hide in and it eases their stress and helps them feel much more safe than to hold them. I have had many dogs in my lifetime and I have seen this problem with some of my dogs before and found this to be a very effective method without the use of drugs on the dog.

Answer 3

Really ?? Mine don't.. But then I start when they are young and get them well used to noise, rain, thunder, lightening, being outside in all kinds of weather.. Rain, storms, snow, windy.. you name it.. They could care less..

You can't coddle and suck your dog up when it's storming, or you end up with a sucky baby when it storms.. Ignore the behaviour and quit feeling sorry for her.. She is scared cause you encourage and allow her to be afraid.. Desensitize her to the sounds and the rain.. Play in the rain, have fun.. Make her thinks that Storms = Fun... Not Storms = Sucky baby

Answer 4

It'll be okay, she's simply reacting like all small dogs do (usually).. my pom has these problems, but she lies on the ground and cries! I have to get a big blanket (i have one 'specially for the ocassion - it rains often here) and crawl under it with her until the rain stops. I just pet and soothe her - it works!

Answer 5

Calm down. He is just scared. Pet him, and hold him so he feels safe. Many small and even large dogs do this. The only thing you can do is make them feel safe and comfortable.