First Thunderstorm!

[SaddlePsych'D]

Since we've had Ivy anyway. We've had a few really big rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightening this eve. She's a bit frightened but I think we're doing okay. She dashed upstairs when the lightening flashed and did a bark, which for her is more of a squeaky yelp. I can tell she's not loving it but she's not shaking or trying to hide under anything.

It feels a bit "wrong" but I'm kind of ignoring/leaving her to it. We had a bit of a 'cuddle' and then I've left her to find where she wants to be in the house. Apparently this is upstairs while I'm downstairs. Is this the best thing? I will check on her every now and then, just thought me fussing might not be what she wants or needs.

 

[Parrotperson]

Yep. I’d say so. Amy thing else might risk re enforcing her fear. As long as she can’t hurt herself let her find her own place.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

No nothing she can get hurt on. I think I will move our dog-cam upstairs so I can keep an eye without disturbing her. Just had another rumble and she cried a bit but can't hear her moving/running around.

If it carries on I might set up her crate and make a den for her.

 

[Parrotperson]

Yes a dens a really good idea. Then she’ll feel extra safe.

 

[skinnydipper]

Since we've had Ivy anyway. We've had a few really big rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightening this eve. She's a bit frightened but I think we're doing okay. She dashed upstairs when the lightening flashed and did a bark, which for her is more of a squeaky yelp. I can tell she's not loving it but she's not shaking or trying to hide under anything.

It feels a bit "wrong" but I'm kind of ignoring/leaving her to it. We had a bit of a 'cuddle' and then I've left her to find where she wants to be in the house. Apparently this is upstairs while I'm downstairs. Is this the best thing? I will check on her every now and then, just thought me fussing might not be what she wants or needs.

Don't hesitate to comfort and reassure her if she needs it. You can't reinforce fear, it is an emotion not a behaviour.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

She came over for a bit of a cuddle but otherwise keeping to herself which she usually does. I did make the den in the living room with me and set her up with a pig's ear in there but she scuttled off with it to her bed in the other room! Thankfully weather seems to have settled a bit.

Next thing is to carefully time trip into the back garden for her to go to toilet. I decided earlier this evening not to walk as we did a big one this morning and still taking that side of things slow. Thought we'd do indoor training plus sniffari then toilet in garden or walk round the block but that was before the storm came along!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Den is a good idea.
I tend to be very Jolly Holly Sticks, showing the dog there is nothing to be scared of, rather than AWW NO THIS IS AWFUL YOU POOR THING **SADFACE**
Although my dog's thing is 'Things Where Things Shouldn't Be'.

Ironically, being so risk averse, she is fine with thunder/lightning and fireworks, which is good because going up to those things and touching them is generally not advised...

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ivy coped much better with fireworks night although that was only two days after she came home with us so she might have just been a bit shut down to react. Next door's dog would bark at every firework and she just raised her head to check we weren't freaking out then flopped back down on the sofa! Really unluckily had a firework go off right over her and OH when they were doing an evening walk, brought him straight back home and really was quite shaky. Probably contributed to her going 'on strike' regarding her walks.

 

[meleeka]

Den is a good idea.
I tend to be very Jolly Holly Sticks, showing the dog there is nothing to be scared of, rather than AWW NO THIS IS AWFUL YOU POOR THING **SADFACE**
Although my dog's thing is 'Things Where Things Shouldn't Be'.

Ironically, being so risk averse, she is fine with thunder/lightning and fireworks, which is good because going up to those things and touching them is generally not advised...

My FIL owned my dog as a puppy. He used to sit her on his shoulder and stand on the back step to watch lightening and fireworks. She still loves watching fireworks out of my bedroom window.

 

[CorvusCorax]

My FIL owned my dog as a puppy. He used to sit her on his shoulder and stand on the back step to watch lightening and fireworks. She still loves watching fireworks out of my bedroom window.

Yeah the Jubilee weekend was hilarious. All that was missing was her going 'ooooh! 'aaahhhh!'
I was the jumpy one.

 

[Clodagh]

My old rock star neighbour used to have fireworks parties weekly, or at least fortnightly. Often at midnight or later. The dogs and horses all used to watch them.
Glad Ivy was ok.