Category: Animal House
hi. Babes, my little fox terrier/dauksund mix is terrified of storms. Any ideas on how I can calm her down?
Aren't there tranquilizers made for dogs that will help them relax during stressful situations?
Terrified of storms?
Maybe hold her close would help
That's what neighbors of mine who
had a dog that would climb the walls
during a storm would do.
They were there to try and give comfort.
It kept their home from being ransacked
Man, that retriever was crazed when it
came to streaking lightning bolts
~*Thunderous MidNight*~
Positive reinforcement during storms. Let her know you're not gonna let anything happen to her.
Act like it doesn't matter, if you cuddle her your telling her thunder is something to be scared off.
I know 8 stone of Rottie, who is scared out of his fur with thunder, I ignore the both of them and Bruce calms down, as I'm not scared.
Stevie
Gypsy gets the same way. I can't just ignore her! it would be like ignoring your kid! know what I mean? I just pet her and tell her everything is gonna be all right.
I appreciate everyone's advice. I don't think ignoring her is the answer though. I cuddle her, and reassure her she's ok. Sometimes, the only time she feels safe is in her crate. And lately, she's more skiddish than ever as I just said on a new post. It seems she's not unhappy, just more nervous than usual.
Do you know if it's the sounds (loud rain, thunder, etc.) or the general atmosphere during a storm that bothers her? (i.e., does she still get scared by storms that have no thunder?)
If it is the loud noises that bother her, something to try is to find one of those CDs that have a thunderstorm recorded on it. You start playing it very very quietly, and continue to do normal things with your pup while it is playing, such as playing a game or giving her lunch, or even just have her with you while you do some things around the house. After a little while, you slowly turn the volume up, and continue doing normal things with her, so that eventually, she'll (hopefully) realise that things still go on as usual, despite the scary noises. Remember that this could take a few days, or a couple weeks, just doing a little bit each day, don't rush her.
The key is to not coddle her (I know it's hard!), but she'll be looking to you for guidence, whether you notice it or not, so if you act, and go on with things as if everything was a-okay, it will help her along.
If this doesn't help her, as was mentioned, you can ask the vet for a tranquliser that you can give her during these stressful times -- they won't put her under, but just make her a bit dozy.
If you'd rather not use something like that, there's a product called Rescue Remedy -- I talked about it in your other thread.
Hope this helps!