Greyhound and thunder...any ideas?

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MuddyTB

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Hi,

We have a lovely ex-racing greyhound who turns to jelly at the first hint of thunder. We've had storms for 2 days now and he's terrified poor thing.

Does anyone have any hints or suggestions on things we could try? Are there any herbal calmers out there we could use? Anything would be good as I think we'll have problems with fireworks later in the year too.
 
My old brown Dobe was terrified of thunder and fireworks and would just shake. The only thing that helped was liquid Valerian from Dorwest and after getting the dosage right it worked. You do have to give it to them an few hours before so I used to avidly watch the weather forecasts and I nearly always got it right. Dont make a fuss of them whilst there is a storm because this only makes them think there is something to worry about. I take it you have put the radio on and turned the tv on, I used to put the washing machine on and hoover to try and block out the noise. It is heartbreaking to see them so distressed.
 
my lurcher is very sensitive to all loud noises and is really bad with thunder and fireworks.... i got some acp tablets from the vet for fireworks night and they worked very well, just made her calmer and a bit sleepy. i have also used a dap collar and this seems to help keep her calm on a daily basis and she now does not react to the dustbin lorry at all , before i used the collar,she used to tremble and pace whenever the dustbin lorry came and now takes no notice...they are quite expensive and only last for 4 weeks but its worth it as far as im concerned.
 
Friend uses dobie girl does. Dylan was paws up on window sill watching lightening the other night special boy, took him un garden to watch. He was 8weeks over new year and he slept through all the fireworks lol.
 
The Dorwest as some else has suggested, DAP diffusers are good too, de sensitising cd's as well, rescue rememdy, all combined will take the edge off it but make sure you don't give the dog any fuss as hard as it is when it is happening and they are sat quivering like a jelly in the corner , your heart goes out to them but ignore them. I tend to throw a blanket over them and leave them alone, the darkness of the blanket and the feeling of the weight of the material on them helps as does a old tee shirt with your smell on it.
I had a Lurcher (whippet x JRT) terrified of thunder,guns, bird scarers, fireowrks & low flying RAF Tornados (we live near Biggin Hill airshow which is on soon!) infact it only had to rain very hard and she start as it's the association that the next thing will be thunder with the rain!
She always headed for our VW camper or car we had at the time outside, seemed to be the only place she felt safe even if it was louder and brighter with the lightning in there!
I'd let her get in it, cover her up and leave her. Many a times I was out at 2 am in my slippers trying to get the dog in the car in torrential rain!
I now have a Lab x Staffy who is scared of most of the above, we have fireworks every weekend here and every night from beginning of Oct right through to Jan the following year, it is not funny when you have a noise phobic dog believe me.
I have tried all I have listed, it does take the edge off of the fear but in my experience it will never go 100%
Oz :)
 
If it always so awful to see them so distressed at thunder/fireworks, my little whippet X is terrified at any loud noises. I use the Thundershirt and TTouch. Rescue remedy can help, and around Fireworks time I also give her Serene Um. Make sure he has somewhere like a den he can go to, they can feel safer if they have a familiar covered area to retreat to.

Linkies:

http://www.xtradog.com/shop/thundershirt.html

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/behavioural-...serene-um-30-tablets-for-cats-and-dogs-p-4372

http://www.tilleyfarm.co.uk/companion.html
 
My Grey is terrified of fire works and thunder so he is given a diazapan 20 minutes before you think it'll all start, totally chills him out and then he just sleeps.

We put him under a duvet with ears covered and he then copes fine.

Vet perscribed it.
 
Thanks all for your helpful suggestions. I'll start working my way through those until we hit the right one for him. He has a covered den and the radio on so I'm doing that bit. The coat and Dorwest may be the next step.
 
My grey's not as bad with thunder as fireworks, but the noise still makes him shake. We found making him a den during firework season (a big blanket thown over 2 chairs with his bed inside like a dark tent) helps, he'll hide in there and is relaxed enough to sleep.
 
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