June 02 2011
Dealing with the Lightning Trauma
I love lightning storms. The bigger the better. The louder the thunder. I’ll sit by the window and stare out counting down the seconds from lightning flash to thunder roll (just like I learned in Poltergeist). Roscoe seems to like em too. He doesn’t flinch at thunder or lightning. And I think he likes the smells that are released by the rain because he puts his nose right up against the windowscreen and enjoys the show.
The problem is a new member of my household isn’t so crazy about the rain. Lola the gf’s dog is especially super uncrazy about thunderstorms. She almost goes into shock. Panting hard. Heartbeating super speedy. Inconsolable. Le Freak say Chic.
Way before the storm arrives, just like a traumatized psychic weatherman Lola starts to bug, her eyes go wide and she just wants to go somewhere safe. She prefers downstairs by the front door but she’ll accept a dark closet with all her stuffed elephant or whatever.
We’ve been trying to figure out how to fix this problem. We wrap her in blankets. Blindfold her eyes (this kind of worked for a bit). I put my underwear on her head. As well as around her midsection.
And I’ve googled around and bought crap off the net– like this thing.
Whatever the fk that thing is supposed to do I have no idea but I plugged that friggin $20 thing next to Lola’s head during a freakout and it did zero. Maybe less than. I’ve also read on some message board to rub the dog with dryer sheets but I’m getting the feeling ain’t nothing working to fix this storm trauma. And maybe adding a fresh linen scent all over her wouldn’t help much.
I had a theory for a while that it wasn’t the thunder or lightning at all. That this whole weirdness is electricity based. Why would the dog react before the storm even gets here if it wasn’t based in the electricity in the air? Perhaps like a change in the atmosphere unplugs her logic circuits or whatever leaving this semi-catatonic weirdness. Or perhaps she’s creative enough to believe each thunder crash is a monster stomp.
But the other night there were fireworks outside and she equally freaked. So that squashed my electricity theory. I dunno. It’s just weird and upsetting. If anyone has any success in diffusing dog storm panic lightning trauma… pls let me know.
ok bye!
tOdd
43
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I sat down by the window to watch the lightning storm annnndZZZZAAAAPPPPP
Oh, and “I put my underwear on her head. As well as around her midsection.” What the fuck?
We have the same problem! we finally got so overwhelmed with the dogs reactions that we opened the door and let them out! They ran around the yard trying to “get” the thunder and lightening..then finally just sat and looked at the sky! We did the same thing during fireworks! It seems that once they figure out that it isn’t gonna “get them” they just give up! Now no barking or freak shows during bad weather or fireworks! GOOD LUCK
I am a fan of the dog and they tricks
I have the same trouble with my Murphy! My other two dogs are fine but Murphy goes into complete spaz mode when a storm hits! I hope someone posts a solution that will help the both out 🙂
My dog freaks too…we have resorted to hiding out in the basement rec room where there are less windows. Overall, having a space to hide out and a routine about what we do when a storm or fireworks are in the mix has made him less anxious. Maybe a crate or quiet place (like on a blanket in a dark closet) would help Lola relax and feel safe. Also, the trainers I’ve talked to about this say not to comfort or yell at the dog… just speak firmly in a calm voice, and don’t cuddle or pet them. Our dog (a great dane) likes to go under the desk in the rec room to hide out. We leave a comforter and a toy there for him. When he starts to freak out, we send him back to his comforter and tell him to stay. With each storm, he’s getting more calm. YAY! Hope this helps. Also, didn’t you use rescue remedy for a friend’s dog at some point? Maybe that could help Lola?
We also give the dogs a “safe place” a blanket or move the dog bed! even though they seem to be “over” the fear, they still like to have a place that they can go to during the episode!
This is going to sound like a horrible thing to do, and maybe it is, maybe I’m just s dick but I can live with that.
What I suggest is Benadryl. It’s not toxic in dogs but they get a little extra sleepy. You could in theory use it as a sedative when you know a good storm is coming. Just dose her up (I suggest the little treat pockets you can hide pills in) and in an hour or so shes off to nap and you can enjoy the storm.
No matter what the outcome, good luck.
P.S. Just a quick search on ye’ olde internet and you’ll find some dosage charts for dogs based on weight.
I’ve done this too…you’re not horrible. The vet recommended it.
I don’t think it is terrible at all! Nursing homes do it their “residence” Children s wards do it in hospitals and Vets do it daily! I think it is good advice! thanks
you gotta beat it out of her.
I agree with Caligula. But it can’t be just any old beating. It has to be a savage beating, completely devoid of restraint, performed in the midst of a spittle emitting rage, with lots of screaming and windmilling arms. Beating your dog helps build their confidence. Or it destroys their confindence…I forget which, but either way it’s a good thing. Your dog will be so busy being terrified of you that it won’t even NOTICE a storm.
I agree with Caligula. But it can’t be just any old beating. It has to be a savage beating, completely devoid of restraint, performed in the midst of a spittle emitting rage, with lots of screaming and windmilling arms. Beating your dog helps build their confidence. Or it destroys their confindence…I forget which, but either way it’s a good thing. Your dog will be so busy being terrified of you that it won’t even NOTICE a storm.
So retarded you felt a need to post it twice.
I agree with Caligula. But it can’t be just any old beating. It has to be a savage beating, completely devoid of restraint, performed in the midst of a spittle emitting rage, with lots of screaming and windmilling arms. Beating your dog helps build their confidence. Or it destroys their confindence…I forget which, but either way it’s a good thing. Your dog will be so busy being terrified of you that it won’t even NOTICE a storm.
Some dogs like Max have an imprintable memory, that just will probably not go away. They remember something that may have happened long ago that scared the crap out of them that they just can’t or won’t shake. Max is terrified of storms. The minute he hears a little rumble he goes and hides in his “safe spot” which is the bathroom. Go figure, makes him feel a little better and safe so we just go with it. He is a really weird dog when it comes to memory, he got in to a big fight with a labradoodle years ago, now he hates all dogs that look like labradoodles and would attack given the chance. So we now have a racist, profiling dog.
My neighborhood pet shop sells this thing called a Thunder Shirt. Basically it’s the doggie equivalent of swaddling a baby. The clerk swears it works for her dog, and a random customer chimed in and said it worked for her pup, too.
Just Google “Thunder Shirt,” and you’ll find it. Hope that helps!
Isn’t “ThunderShirt” an AC/DC song?
Todd
I have found music loud enough to drown out the thunder helps. If it happens at night, lots of lights to blot out the lightning. Basically, if you drown it out, it can’t freak ’em out.
Ya gotta eat thunder and crap lightning, Rock! Don’t let this Apollo get inside your head! You can beat him Rocky! Don’t let him breathe?
Ditto on the Benadryl. Works like a charm. Great for a dog that gets carsick too.
My dog is the same way. The vet gave us Phenobarbitol (spelling may be incorrect, vet will know though). Its best to give a pill 30 minutes before a storm starts, but anytime will help. It essentailly makes him sleepy and a little zombie-like but its better than him having a heart attack over thunder or fireworks.
The dog can sense the change in barometric pressure and has learned to associate the rapid change with upcoming thunderstorms, hence it’s ability to “predict” the storm and start reacting to what it knows is coming.
Dogs can be especially upset over loud noises. Thunder and fireworks cause both. They sell dog vests that basically wrap around the dog’s midsection tightly. It’s like bundling a baby; the tight vest makes the dog feel more secure and safe and therefore, they calm down. That may have been why the underwear trick worked for a bit.
I had a dog who was scared of fireworks/storms for a good reason. Some jerk kids were throwing firecrackers at her in my backyard and I came home and caught them and chased them away. Too late for the dog, she was scared until she passed away last year at 15. This important thing is this. She passed on her terrors to the other pets. We got another dog who wasn’t scared and after a summer with her, he was. She got to 2 out of 3 cats,too. (And I think the one cat was scared, but too lazy to move)If you think Roscoe might help Lola, be careful she doesn’t convince him that she’s right. Then 2 scaredy pets.
Just writes a letter to Muddy Waters askin him fo advice. Yo dog be scared of lectricity in de air? Well Muddy Waters INVENTED lectricity! He can do sumpn fo yo dog, sho nuff.
Don’t disgrace the memory of Muddy Waters with your nonsense!
I would suggest a more natural way of changing the problem behavior in the dog. Purchasing a cheap soundtrack cd of thunder and lightning sounds (or downloading it) and playing it on your stereo while your away helps to acclimatize your dog. This helps the dog get used to the sound of thunder and lightning. and as I said it is cheap. Start by playing it on a lower sound volume! Hope this helps!
“Lock the door and hope they don’t come in”
$250 million virtual dollars says your girlfriend freaked out during storms before your big hulking macho studly manliness invaded her life, and the dog picked up on her frightened vibe. My advice is kill it and eat it(the dog, not the gf! …Although…)
Um, the first sentence was serious; second NOT 🙂
$250 million virtual dollars says your girlfriend freaked out during storms before your big hulking macho studly manliness invaded her life, and the dog picked up on her frightened vibe. My advice is kill it and eat it(the dog, not the gf! …Although…)
Um, the first sentence was serious; second NOT 🙂
$250 million virtual dollars says your girlfriend freaked out during storms before your big hulking macho studly manliness invaded her life, and the dog picked up on her frightened vibe. My advice is kill it and eat it(the dog, not the gf! …Although…)
Um, the first sentence was serious; second NOT 🙂
$250 million virtual dollars says your girlfriend freaked out during storms before your big hulking macho studly manliness invaded her life, and the dog picked up on her frightened vibe. My advice is kill it and eat it(the dog, not the gf! …Although…)
Um, the first sentence was serious; second NOT 🙂
SOOOO retarded you felt a need to post that shit FOUR fucking times- and it wasn’t even remotely funny the first time. My advice is to have you killed and the body dumped in a remote location to be eaten by wolves, coyotes and vultures. Support the environment, I always say…
!!!!I agree with Caligula. But it can’t be just any old beating. It has to be a savage beating, completely devoid of restraint, performed in the midst of a spittle emitting rage, with lots of screaming and windmilling arms. Beating your dog helps build their confidence. Or it destroys their confindence…I forget which, but either way it’s a good thing. Your dog will be so busy being terrified of you that it won’t even NOTICE a storm.
Gotta get drugs. Don’t stop with Benadryl. Go to the vet and get some prescription shit. Maybe they’ll even give you something that has a recreational side-purpose.
I don’t know how to cure your imaginary girlfriend’s dog’s thunder phobia. Sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance.
I have a big kitten of a Pit Bull and he’s deathly afraid of storms and fireworks. Nothing ever traumatized him, there was no abuse by others that I know of (he was a rescue). When he shows 1st sign of a panic attack, I break out the Children’s Benedryl and the liverwurst. He sleeps for a couple hours – or appears to be more relaxed and I have a little peace of mind knowing he’ll be OK and not running around looking for a hiding place.
HomeoPet Natural Anxiety drops work like magic. My dog would go completely bonkers but this stuff chills her right out. Try it Todd!
The best advice I ever got for managing dogs during lightening and fireworks was to play a game, to try and distract the animal. I have found that it works really well for my dog. As soon as the 4th of July fireworks start popping off around my neighborhood, I start throwing a tennis ball around the room.
If you try to “console” your dog when they’re irrationally frightened of something, you’re just reinforcing the behavior.
Rub her fur with a static cling sheet!
Our vet said that the electricity from storms builds up static that the dog can feel, which makes them freak out and anticipate that something big is happening. Going over them with the sheet gets rid of this so they are less freaked out. Hey, its pretty cheap so worth a try.
SOOOOOO retarded you’ve posted 3 times. But your only original post involves rubbing a dog with silky fabric. I can see you loooove dogs. bowow.
Try Rescue Remedy for Dogs. Mine are also afraid and this really works!
“If you try to “console” your dog when they’re irrationally frightened of something, you’re just reinforcing the behavior.”
I’ve seen thunder/fireworks fear grow mildly anxious dogs in to complete train wrecks.
I have had some success with Cesar’s way:
“If we think of flight, redirection comes to mind first. If we think fight, or aggression, we need to stop or block it. With flight, this is where the treadmill, activities, and the walk come in. If the weatherman is precise, time your walk for the storms arrival, so that you can go on a longer walk than normal. Have the dog carry a backpack to make it more draining. You want him to be tired! Then, I suggest giving them drops of the homeopathic Rescue Remedy, which combined with the walk or treadmill, will put him to sleep for the storms arrival. The formula then is exercise, which is a natural sedative, combined with a natural remedy for relaxation.”