Thunderstorm issues…help!

[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.