Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Thunderstorm issues…help!

Thunderstorm issues…help!

Behavioral Issues
  • QuercusQ

    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.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • basenji_fanB

    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

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @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?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • renaultf1R

    @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?

    0
  • DiegosMomD

    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?!

    Sarah

    0
  • L

    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.

    Roo, Lion and Tigger

    0
  • Robin_n_JackR

    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...

    0
  • MacPackM

    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

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0
  • basenji_fanB

    @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

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @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.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0

Suggested Topics

  • N

    Puppy issues

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    A
    @nick4 I am in the "Basenji Zone" as well. I have done the putting her in the crate and then walking away while I talk to her and then letting her out and then back in again and I do the same thing where i will step out then come back in again. She does best when i leave her a good greenie for her teeth and I step out really quick she got used to it. Also I had the shower problem I even went as far as bringing her into the shower and to my surprise she did not care and i used it as a way to get her comfortable with the water....then i slowly gave her water from the shower talked to her while I was in there and peeked out the curtain every now and then and she got a lot calmer. I dont know if any this would help. Just wanted to share!
  • A

    PLEASE HELP! Anxiety Issues!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    He should adjust in time to losing his companion. However long that takes is questionable though and he will continue to be angry and feel neglected and reflect that anger with destruction just out of loneliness. It may improve with time and may not. You have to ask yourself is this fair for your dog? I would spend nearly all my time with him when I was home taking walks, etc. and if you can't do more than 2 hrs. it may be best to find a better home for him where he has a better environment. If his new home is a better place where there is a yard to run, and owners that can spend more time with him he will gradually accept the new home and owners. I know that is hard but may be the best. When your living situation improves you may think about owning another dog. Other than that, working 2 jobs leaves the dog alone too much to be fair so you need to get someone…the same person all the time... over to your apartment to spend time with him if you don't want to give him up. He can bond to that person and that will help the loneliness somewhat. If you decided to give him up, the new owners could come over frequently for walks and visits before you gave the dog to them so that the dog would consider them friends before adoption, that would help the dog transition. I would not give that dog to an inexperienced owner though. That could end in disaster. It will do the same things with the new owner although it should get over the transition quicker because it will be in a better environment. Also, was your husband the dog's leader? You now have to be a positive leader for him because it sounds like he lacks leadership.
  • P

    Help! Not sure about a trainer to help with a kid-nipping basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    17k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Wow! this is one of many, many threads that I have responded to and I am very interested in the outcome of Poopydog and the nipping. As I was going through the Thread, I really had to bypass any of the responses of those who enjoy attacking one another. I sure hope this behavior did not thwart our member who really needed help. The majority are replies to one another trying to impart important knowledge or experience to someone who did not ask for it in the first place. Don't try to sound important. Everyone is, just give happy good-hearted advice and let us just not dig into the other who has a different opinion. Just dig, digs, and more digs. Really getting old….........................I know you won't miss me, but this is just too much.................................................................
  • H

    Help

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    Do let us know what you found out from the vets.
  • J

    Help with Jack

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Have you discussed this behavior with his breeder? Have you tried a behaviorist? And are you sure it was the full thyroid panel, not just the one part that is done with Vet's regular blood work?
  • wizardW

    Anxiety help

    Behavioral Issues
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    9k Views
    renaultf1R
    @sharronhurlbut: Re car rides, this is going to sound odd, but it does work for me and my 2 dogs. Even if you have walked your dogs before a car trip, I find the excitement of the "get into the car" and going makes there guts act up. So, here is what we do. We take the dogs a lot on vacation when we go by car. We walk the dogs in the am, feed and water. Get them into the car. Drive about 2 miles and stop and let them out to walk. Both always pee and poo when we stop. Once back in the car, they settle and are quiet. About a hr or so into the ride, they start to get "ACTIVE" again…we stop at a rest area, they go, and then they sleep the rest of the way. Could be the excitement of leaving home, the motion of the car or whatever, but these stops, even tho you want to get going...make the trip much easier on all involved. Give it a try. All you can lose is a bit of time... Sharron…I've had friends use that method as well...so I think you (and them) are on to something. Wizard...It is a tough road, separation anxiety. I never had much success with the DAP - spray or plug-in...and I used both for about half a year. I finally gave up on it. Although, my vet and the pet store I bought it at said they knew of people that had had success with it. Good for you for working with a behaviorist...they definitely will have better ideas about things to try. The second beastie was the golden ticket for Ruby though...and seriously, I've found that 2 b's are so much easier than one. So much so that I'm thinking of adding another either this year or next...and for that I might need my head examined.