Dealing With Your Dog’s Fear Of Thunderstorms
People have a lot of phobias we need to face; little did we know our own pets have their own troubles to deal with as well. Dog anxiety like noise phobia should not be treated lightly. When left on its own, a dog suffering this fear will injure himself and the surrounding areas he finds himself in.
The reasons why dogs are afraid of thunderstorms have not been accurately determined yet. Some say that it is because of the electric charge in the atmosphere, the drop in barometric pressure, or simply because like humans the dark and loud sounds are scary. Whatever it is, this particular fear is rather common among dogs and have worried many of their owners.
Dogs and thunderstorms are not good bedfellows. Symptoms of mild noise phobia in dogs are shivering, or cowering in corners around the house. Ease their anxiety by bringing your pet to a spot in the house they are most comfortable at. Many times it is an open crate or the bath tub. Gently lead him there every time he seems afraid and reward him when he follows.
Animals that are severely distressed by thunderstorms and other loud noises like engines, fireworks and random loud blasts must be monitored very carefully. These pets not only damage furniture, they injure themselves badly in doing so. There are owners who report their pets were so distraught by the storms that they claw through carpets and even hard wall until they were bleeding.
There are two modification practices dog behaviorists employ in dealing with noise phobia. The first of these is desensitizing the canine. You can do this by introducing the dreaded noise very softly, then raising the intensity of it slowly until he is not afraid of it anymore. When you try this, begin faintly and always keep the increasing intensity under the fear producing volume your dog is aware of.
The other technique to treat dog anxiety is by counter conditioning. You do this by giving your dog something which would normally solicit favorable responses while you increase the source of the fear gradually. For example, if you are able to simulate a thunderstorm, amplify the noise very slightly. As you do this, give your pet his favorite treats. If he still gets agitated, stop. You dont want the dog to associate the treats you give to the phobia he is experiencing.
If the above mentioned behavior modification practices do not work, you have to ask your veterinarian on the best medication you can administer. Preferably, natural or homeopathic treatments should be used like Melatonin and Phosphorous 30C, which have been known to significantly improve noise phobia in canines. Inquire about the dosage in relation to the breed and size of your pet, and follow it carefully.
A common cause of frustration for many pet owners has often been dogs and thunderstorms. Studies are being developed continually to find a safe and thorough cure for this condition. In the meantime, it is prudent to do whatever we know to do to help comfort our pets. Visit the veterinarian regularly for check-ups and any changes in behavior.
How do you fix your problem with dogs and thunderstorms? Download some of Geraldine Dimarco’s most useful articles on dog anxiety and make sure your pet never has to go through this again.
