I have a Chihuahua who is so terrified of thunder that he will scratch the carpet up to try and get out of the room he sleeps in. What can be done to help him and my carpets?
2007-10-11 06:55:29 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The most important thing is not to make a fuss of your dog when he shows fear .This only nurtures the fear even more.What you must do is show strong leadership in that you arent scared as his pack leader therefore he wont have anything to be scared of either.Just carry on as normal and even though it seems hard, make no contact at all with you dog.No touch, talk or even eye contact
2007-10-11 07:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by Kblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chihuahuas are naturally skittish. When there is a storm just cuddle with him till he calms down. All the dogs I have ever had were afraid of thunder too. He just wants to be near you at time. I know that sounds like caving in but dogs can be like children sometimes.
2007-10-11 07:11:12 · answer #2 · answered by countrygirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First go about your business like nothing special is happeneing. If you make a fuss, it only reinforces to the dog that something terrible is happening. If you have a bathroom, especially one without windows, put him in there with his toys, and turn on the fan to block out some of the noise. Or if he is crate trained, put him in there. Some dogs even like the seclusion of a closet. There is also an herbal product called Rescue Remedy that really seems to help in some cases. I'd try that as well.
2007-10-11 07:00:11 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing!! We can't have him digging up the carpet so perhaps he needs to be put in the bathroom, or in his pet carrier. I would say that you could comfort him, but I think this is a nonrational fear, and he won't be comforted by anything except the thunder stopping.
You could ask your vet for a tranquilizer so he could sleep through it...
TX Mom
not an expert
2007-10-11 07:00:32 · answer #4 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have a Chihuahua as well and I take him out, for a year or so he got scared, and then someone said take him out- I laughed at the time, but then heck I'd try anything and it worked. He knew the park and had such fun doing his usual things, he "Forgot" it was thundering, and now he doesn't worry at all.
2007-10-11 07:06:48 · answer #5 · answered by ady.solis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Play! Depending on your dog's level of anxiety (pacing vs. curled up trembling) simply distracting him may be the best course of action. Play, sing songs, exercise the dog as much as you can to try and wear it out. Help your dog associate thunder with a fabulous playtime!
-Crate your dog or move their bedding into a enclosed space like a closet. A dog who feels "safe" will be less anxious, and a "den" is the instinctual place for a dog to feel safe. It may help to cover your dog's crate with a blanket or sheet to create a den feeling.
-Create as much white noise as you can. Fans, TV's, radios, etc. Try to drown out the majority of the sound.
-Find a T-shirt that fits the dogs chest tightly and put it on them. No one knows why this helps, but many owners swear this makes a difference.
-Over the counter sedatives (Like rescue remedy) or veterinary prescriptions like Ace or Valium are a good short term treatment- although not avaliable in an emergency. If your dog is severely anxious, try to keep a stash on hand.
- Short term and long term, one of the most important things for an owner to do is not to coddle the dog. Cooing and petting are both"rewarding" actions for a dog- they are used as rewards in training- so what are you training your dog to do when you respond to his anxiety with petting and cooing?
But the best thing for me is to let your dog have a room and put on some sooooothing music arhh
2007-10-11 06:59:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My little dog is scared of thunder also. She can hear it long before i do.
I sit beside her on the sofa and cover her with a towel That seems to calm her.
If i am not here she goes behind the commode in the bathroom.
2007-10-11 07:03:33 · answer #7 · answered by patwhite101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With my dogs, I just have them near me and pet them when the thunder or fireworks or other sudden, loud noises occur.
That seems to calm them somewhat.
This is normal behavior for animals which were not accustomed to such an environment when young.
2007-10-11 07:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it particularly is an apprehension.. so the only thank you to calm him is to shrink the terror. artwork on obedience qualifications with him whilst there is not any thunderstorm. whilst a thunderstorm hits, initiate going over obedience qualifications with him in the past he turns into nerve-racking. Or supply him a undeniable toy or manage that he in basic terms receives whilst a thunderstorm hits. If he receives to the element the place he's purely too nerve-racking, I agree that drugs will help. you need to use Melatonin so which you are able to purchase at WalMart (we supply golden retrievers 3 to 4 pills according to their weight) or bypass on your vet. they might prescribe something called Acepromazine that's certainly valium. this might thoroughly stone him, yet a warning to you is that it could decrease his inhibitions. i does not advise tying him up or utilising the supply up bark collar as this might in basic terms improve his worry and make him worse. Thunderphobic canines are very confusing to handle, yet you are able to detect a vogue. solid success!
2017-01-03 11:18:19 · answer #9 · answered by tetreau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a chihuahua too, and when there is a storm, I make sure I am with her to comfort her. I'll hold her, and snuggle under a blanket. She has gotten better, your dog just needs to know that he is safe. If you have to be out, leave music or TV on loud so that it blocks out some noise, and it won't get so startled!
2007-10-11 06:59:26 · answer #10 · answered by lee 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋