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Thunderstorm issues…help!

Behavioral Issues
  • renaultf1R

    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.

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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?

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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...

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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