My poor dog and thunderstorms!!!

rachi0

rachi0

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Hi all,

I imported my English Staffie to Australia 2 years ago.. I have had him since he was born.. - he is 4 now.

I left him in Australia with a good friend from November to June as had to return to England.. and when i came back he is now terrified of storms... having been absolutely fine beforehand!!

He starts trembling and shaking, panting and gets very clingy .. has to be touching me or he gets very distressed....

Is there anything I can get him or I can do as we get storms quite a lot where I am and I feel so sorry for the poor boy! 2nd storm in 3 days and he's just sat next to me shaking!!!

thanks!!!!
 
Thank you.. I will have a good read of that in the morning!!!

the storm is dying down now thank goodness coz the poor little boy is so scared.. i hate seeing him like this especially as he never was before I left!
 
Poor boy, its horrible when they are scared.

We used to have a whippet who was terrified of fireworks, storms, load noises. She didn't even like war movies on the TV. We thought cuddling her on the sofa would work but it didn't.

After years of trying everything (including stuff from the vet) the only thing that worked at all was to shut her with bed and water bowl in the cupboard under the stairs.

It sounds terribly cruel but she was happier there. The noise was probably less because it had no external walls. Any flashes were also not visible as there were no windows. Leaving a radio on loud in the kitchen (other side of the door) also helped.

Good luck with your boy.
 
I sympathise, and hope you get more suggestions too, as my Collie is terrified too, but its getting worse!

She started reacting to thunderstorms, panting faster than I thought was possible, heart pounding, running round and round the house, whining non stop - she would jump on my lap if I was sitting down, but then leap off again. She didnt want to hide or be with me particularly, nothing seemed to help. Now it has progressed further, and heavy rain and strong winds make her react in the same way. If its during the evening I am just around for her but dont make a fuss, but if its at night, when she is in her big crate, she scrabbles and digs frantically at the plastic base, which makes even more noise than the thunder/wind, and whines and barks. The vet gave me some over the counter calming pills, but they are just not helping.

I hate seeing her so distressed - let me know if anything works for your dog, I dont know what to try next. :(
 
I saw something about thundershirts recently too and also a sort of bandage you wrap around the dog.... haven't done any research so can't offer a recommendation but perhaps something to look into?
 
A shirt is worth a try (never used one) but have heard people say they work and others say they did not.

Don't fuss him as already suggested.

If you know a storm is coming then exercise him well in good time to depleat his energies that will otherwise convert to anxious energy once the storm comes.

Tv up and curtains closed.

DAP plug in or collar to ease the stress.

A desenzitising CD that mimics the sounds he fears slowly and gradually from low to high over time whilst he does something positive (suckle from a cheese filled kong):D

Some pre filled kongs ready frozen for storm time or bones and somewhere he can safely retreat to if need be.

Could he have been kenneled/locked out during the storm at your friends (that would certainly change his reaction to a storm) or being with another dog that is very anxious/scared of storms will inturn begin to stress another dog in it's company. Or a bad experience whilst the storm was in progress. Such a shame if he was previously fine:(
 
My Viszla used to be terrified of the wind which howls down the side of our house at times. He used to shake and cling to me and I would have to take him to bed with us and let him sleep between my husband and I but his shaking would keep us awake!!

Problem solved - we got another dog! Not for this reason but it turns out that since we have had our second dog, when the wind picks up our V just snuggles in with the border collie and all is well!! Probably not the best piece of advice to get another dog, but it worked for our boy:D
 
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