Thunderstorm issues…help!

[tanza]

Lucky that we have very few thunderstorms here in No. Ca…. (like maybe one a year) and they have never bothered the Basenjis (nor to fireworks or earthquakes)... but I have know dogs with panic to fireworks (not a lot different then thunderstorms) and also have always been told not to baby them ... or to play into their fears....

[gbroxon]

I, too, have heard not to "coddle" them when they're anxious. Although I understand the thinking behind it (that "coddling" gives the dog the idea that there is something to be anxious about), I don't know that I buy into not giving comfort in this situation.

Giving comfort is a big part of a mom's job. Yes, I know they're dogs. Yes, I know they're different than humans. But when a creature, any creature, is trembling with anxiety, I can't help but try to calm them with gentle touches and soothing noises. I can't just ignore their discomfort. I see it more as reassurance than coddling.

However, I've never had a dog that was anxious about thunderstorms, so I've never had to comfort anyone except my human son during them–here in Minnesota, we get plenty. He eventually grew out of the fear. I, myself, love thunderstorms.

I don't know (and haven't looked, as yet) about any studies about this and wonder how the "no coddling during thunderstorms" rule came about. Anyone have any ideas?

JMHO, of course.

[renaultf1]

I used to pet sit for a Jack Russell that was seriously afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks and would shake terribly. When I took care of him for a whole summer one year, I had a "safe" place set up for him in the back of my walk in closet…it was a place that he could go that was well lit, quiet, and away from the noise, but was cozy, with a bed, water and had a bunch of his toys. If I was home and there was a thunderstorm, he would go to his bed in the closet, and I just let him be. He'd come out after the storm and he'd be wagging his tail, so for him I think it was a decent option. After I set up his safe place at my house, his owner set up something similar and also thought it seemed to be a good option.

[Quercus]

There is some debate about the coddling with fear issues in dogs. The con argument being that you are reinforcing their fear by petting, praising, etc. The pro argument being that you are providing a calming, quiet, supportive environment by coddling. I have no idea which argument is correct. My hunch is that if you are calm, and supportive without being nervous yourself, you will convey that to the dog. If you are nervous either about the storm, or the dog's behavior, and you convey that to the dog, you will increase/reinforce the behavior.

I like the idea of just lying quietly somewhere, either the bed, or couch and being availabe to offer comfort if that is what the dog wants.

[basenji_fan]

I had a cat that used to get terrified during thunderstorms and would run and hide for even hours afterward. So I started with blocking all her hiding spots and closing all doors. She'd then hide under the coffee table, then I started to pull her out and feed her treats and have her do her tricks (yes my cat does tricks) after about 5-6 good storms she was fine and would maybe cringe a little during them bout didn't hide anymore

[Quercus]

@basenji_fan:

I had a cat that used to get terrified during thunderstorms and would run and hide for even hours afterward. So I started with blocking all her hiding spots and closing all doors. She'd then hide under the coffee table, then I started to pull her out and feed her treats and have her do her tricks (yes my cat does tricks) after about 5-6 good storms she was fine and would maybe cringe a little during them bout didn't hide anymore

Out of curiosity, why not let her hide?

[renaultf1]

@Quercus:

Out of curiosity, why not let her hide?

I was wondering the same thing…should I have not set up a safe place for Apatche instead of trying to make him overcome his fear?

[DiegosMom]

I heard this on TV (a vet on the martha stewart show) and have never tried it, and dont really think i believe it will work, but he said something like 40% or 60% (i forget, but he said it works with some dogs) of dogs will not fear thunderstorms if you wipe down their body with unscented dryer sheets.. He said a lot of dogs shake and cry because the static electricity build up, from the storm, in their coats, and if you wipe them with the dryer sheets when you know a storm is coming, it will help them?? Anyone ever heard this or tried it?!

[LeeL]

I have never heard of that, but our dogs do start acting funny before the storm hits usually. I figured it was a barometric pressue thing.

[Robin_n_Jack]

Jack has never been afraid of thunderstorms, and I almost think he likes them. I wonder if it is because DH is a drummer, so he is used to hearing loud noises like that, and also, because he listens to a lot of heavy metal. I wonder if him having grown up listening to loud sound like these have helped him get over the noise of thunder.

If that is true, it might help, as someone else suggested, to make some noise when there isn't a storm, followed by treats and loving….so she understands, the noise won't hurt you...

[MacPack]

Yeah, I agree that 'support' and providing a feeling of safety, or safe den, is very different from "making a big deal" out of their fears, that would be like reinforcement of the behavior. I would not be abel to see one really afraid without trying to do everything I could to help!

Anne

[basenji_fan]

@Quercus:

Out of curiosity, why not let her hide?

She's stay hiden for days sometimes, and wouldn't come out to eat or use the litter box (she'd just hold it), and not eating or pottying is really not good for cats

[Quercus]

@basenji_fan:

She's stay hiden for days sometimes, and wouldn't come out to eat or use the litter box (she'd just hold it), and not eating or pottying is really not good for cats

I see, yes, it is important for them to eat and eliminate, for sure.