What to do about a neurotic dog

[Sir_Galahad]

And no, this is not political.

It seems my little cocker goes into a panic whenever a lightning / thunderstorm hits. This has been going on for years but this has been reaching new heights with each successive storm. It would not be so bad if they occur in the day but this latest one happened last night at 1 AM. He gets to hyperventilating and running around the house looking for a place to hide. He "digs" into the carpet trying to dig a hole (or whatever he does that for). He can be calmed somewhat if someone is awake and near him which, again, is fine if it occurs during the day. The vet has suggested giving him some doggie valium but that does not seem to help. Has anyone had a similar situation with their dog and fixed the problem? I feel that this is a behavioral issue but am not sure how to correct the behavior.

[gsabc]

If the "doggie downers" don't help, I don't know what to suggest. Midnight suffered from the same problem. It was amazing what small spaces a 100-pound Labrador Retriever could fit into when they try. Good luck with yours.

[peacock2121]

This is not a 'I am kidding you' response.

Have you considered finding one of those dog whisperer people and asking if they have any experience with this kind of issue?

[christie1111]

I thought the guy in the book about the dog Marley also had this problem. I don't remember what he did.

I think SC has a copy of the book, or 20.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Why don't you just put him in bed with you and fall asleep petting him. That's what I used to do with the girls when they had nightmares as babies.

Since they weren't allowed in our bed normally, it worked for them.

[kayrharris]

Yep, Marley the dog in the book (and a dog in real life) tore up whole rooms when there was a storm. I don't think they ever did figure out how to stop him from doing that.

Good luck! Maybe a dog whisperer is the answer. Seriously.

[silvercamaro]

Here is a suggestion, without a guarantee that it will work for every dog. If you have a bathtub manufactured of iron covered by porcelain (or whatever the smooth, shiny stuff is that covers most bathtubs), teach your dog to jump in and out of the empty bathtub, and that it's okay if he does. For nights when thunderstorms might be coming, make a bed in the tub with an old blanket or towel and throw in a couple of the dog's soft "comfort" toys. If necessary, physically carry the dog to the bathtub the first couple of times a thunderstorm arrives.

I can't explain the science properly, but there is something about being surrounded by iron that reduces the electric charge in the atmosphere to which the dog is so sensitive. Irish, the whippet, discovered the bathtub for herself and retreats there whenever a bad storm passes through. I thought she was just being eccentric until I read some article about this. Now I make sure the bathroom door is open for her on stormy days.

[tlynn78]

I can't explain the science properly, but there is something about being surrounded by iron that reduces the electric charge in the atmosphere to which the dog is so sensitive. Irish, the whippet, discovered the bathtub for herself and retreats there whenever a bad storm passes through. I thought she was just being eccentric until I read some article about this. Now I make sure the bathroom door is open for her on stormy days

.


I also think having four 'walls' they can see surrounding them helps. Last time Lola whelped, I kept her and her pups in my laundry room, but Lola never seemed relaxed, always seemed somewhat nervous and was always having to round up the pups as they wandered around.

About 5 a.m. yesterday, a week earlier than anticipated, she had five beautiful babies - on my bed. I had planned to find a hard plastic toddler pool this time around, but hadn't been able to yet, and thought I had a week. I have a big tub in my master bath, and I never take baths, so I lined it with old towels and moved mother and babies in there. The difference is remarkable already. She is so much more at ease - the babies can only scoot around just so far, and she can always see all of them. It's clear she feels very safe. Dogs are den animals, so when they feel threatened or need a safe haven, someplace with walls close in helps calm them.


t.

[Catfish]

Dogs are den animals, so when they feel threatened or need a safe haven, someplace with walls close in helps calm them.

Our dog has always sleeps in his crate at night. It's his in-house doghouse. In some storms, being in the same room as we three two-footers keeps him calm, ie, the whole pack is together and safe. In particularly bad storms, on the Fourth of July, and if all three two-footers are not home, I tell him to kennel up, and he goes in his crate and takes a nap. I don't know whether this would work if your dog is not used to a crate.

[cindy.wellman]

Our pets seem to be ok with thunderstorms. Through a Bichon group, of which I'm a member, I've read quite a few testimonials in favor of "Anxiety Wrap" The website offers a lot of information about how it works. The price is a bit steep at $65-$75 depending on the size of the dog. It would upset me if my dogs were upset about something, so I'd probably cough up the money.
Several members of the Bichon group use it for other things, like barking. They've said excessive barking can be a response to fear too.

I hope that one of the suggestions that people have posted ends up working for your pup.

[silvercamaro]

About 5 a.m. yesterday, a week earlier than anticipated, she had five beautiful babies - on my bed.

Since I'm on-line and she's not, a tall brownhound is nudging me to ask you a very important question of great interest to her:

Are any of the puppies named Annie?

[tlynn78]

Are any of the puppies named Annie?

As a matter of fact, my favorite - the runt, who looks like a tiny holstein cow-girl. I wasn't planning to keep any, but am seriously reconsidering...


t.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I can't explain the science properly, but there is something about being surrounded by iron that reduces the electric charge in the atmosphere to which the dog is so sensitive. Irish, the whippet, discovered the bathtub for herself and retreats there whenever a bad storm passes through. I thought she was just being eccentric until I read some article about this. Now I make sure the bathroom door is open for her on stormy days

.


I also think having four 'walls' they can see surrounding them helps. Last time Lola whelped, I kept her and her pups in my laundry room, but Lola never seemed relaxed, always seemed somewhat nervous and was always having to round up the pups as they wandered around.

About 5 a.m. yesterday, a week earlier than anticipated, she had five beautiful babies - on my bed. I had planned to find a hard plastic toddler pool this time around, but hadn't been able to yet, and thought I had a week. I have a big tub in my master bath, and I never take baths, so I lined it with old towels and moved mother and babies in there. The difference is remarkable already. She is so much more at ease - the babies can only scoot around just so far, and she can always see all of them. It's clear she feels very safe. Dogs are den animals, so when they feel threatened or need a safe haven, someplace with walls close in helps calm them.


t.

Congratulations to Lola and you!

[Sir_Galahad]

This is not a 'I am kidding you' response.

Have you considered finding one of those dog whisperer people and asking if they have any experience with this kind of issue?

Actually, I have read Cesar Milan's books. The one situation I can recall in which the dog was scared of something, he turned it around and made it a positive experience for the dog. He would present the dog with some sort of positive reinforcement so the dog would look at hearing thunder / fireworks as a good thing and not something to fear. This is why I postulated that it was a behavioral problem. I'm sure it can be corrected but, at 1 or 2 in the morning, that's kind of tough to do.

The bathtub thing is an interesting theory. I will look into trying that. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[vettech]

Dogs are den animals, so when they feel threatened or need a safe haven, someplace with walls close in helps calm them.

Our dog has always sleeps in his crate at night. It's his in-house doghouse. In some storms, being in the same room as we three two-footers keeps him calm, ie, the whole pack is together and safe. In particularly bad storms, on the Fourth of July, and if all three two-footers are not home, I tell him to kennel up, and he goes in his crate and takes a nap. I don't know whether this would work if your dog is not used to a crate.

I definitely recommend the crate. It gives a sense of security. One of my dogs is scared by the thunder and as soon as a storm starts, she runs upstairs and gets in her crate.

[AnnieCamaro]

Are any of the puppies named Annie?

As a matter of fact, my favorite - the runt, who looks like a tiny holstein cow-girl. I wasn't planning to keep any, but am seriously reconsidering...


t.

I am so happyhappyhappy and excited! I've never had a cowgirl named for me before.

I hope you will keep her. I bet she'll be the nicest dog you ever had -- or, at least as nice as Lola. I send warm snuggles and wet kisses to all of you.

/:P\

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

From Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies

Thunderstorms: A Dog's Worst Fears

Suggestions that can help your dog through a thunderstorm.

Turn on some music or a TV to mask the noises until the storm is over.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Ask your veterinarian for medications to help your hound through it.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Keep all doors and outside gates closed so that your dog cannot escape. Keep the windows covered so he can't see outside and try to crash through the window.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Don't crate or confine your dog. Even if he prefers his crate or a small place, don't lock him in. He may panic in such tight quarters.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Don't leave your dog outside in a storm.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I like this one the best:

Rub his coat with a fabric softener dryer sheet to decrease static - a common result of thunderstorms and one that dogs learn to associate with storms.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

If your retired racer likes the car, try letting him "ride out" the storm in the car.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Ignore his fear. Don't comfort or coddle him.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Keep your own reactions and behavior calm but happy. Act as if absolutely nothing unusual is happening.