Dog Thunder Storm Fears

It was a dark and stormy dark hours...
and with each boom of thunder, each crash of lightening, terror in the dog ' s heart grew. It unprosperous him from a self confident, well adjusted family pet to an unrecognizable quivering mass. Having sensed the coming storm well before his owners could inspect or hear configuration, the dog had prompt to walk, panting. They spoke, trying to cheer him; but as the storm drew closer the dog began to tremble and shake. Unresponsive to cool words from his owners, he searched for escape. Climbing onto the sofa he began to dig; as thunder rumbled, the dog moaned and a dtreak of urine was involuntarily released upon the sofa. He knotted his mass down into a petite ball, unintellectual to the puddle where he had right wet, tremoring exceedingly.
The actuality of a dog’s thunder storm funk is more than even-handed unpleasant fiction for some pet owners; it can be almost as wearing for them as weather changes are for their shocked pets. Keepers of thunder - fearing dogs often try to foresee weather changes in hopes of being able to minimize stress. At the first shiver they may offer treats, petting, or rightful dominion their dogs protectively. Unfortunately, the storm phobic dog may outlive unrestful despite - - but not for of - - comfort from human attention; the fear is too rousing.
Offering treats to " desensitize " a dog ' s trembling won ' t work if the dog is in full self - defense mode; awe is an emotional state and in that state appetite isn ' t a driving force. To " add to trepidation " would beggarly the misgiving increases in frequency in response to reinforcement. This isn ' t what happens. Dogs will not become increasingly fearful in response to food and petting; they true may not feel any better in disgust of it. Coddling won ' t make the dog ' s actual cold sweat of storms worsen, though the palpability of the lessor during such an occurrence may have a mollifying influence, and could help decrease the likelihood of damage or self - injury. Sometimes storm phobic dogs becomes destructive in their efforts to escape, especially if friendless alone during a storm.
What causes some dogs to be so under the weather while others stay unconcerned? In recent years hideous behaviorists have theorized that thunder storm distress arises from a hearing impairment, a trauma, or a biochemical imbalance. Nicholas Dodman, the head of the behavior clinic at the Tufts University Prepare of Veterinary Medicine, speculates in his book " Dogs Behaving Badly, an A - Z Guide for Understanding and Curing Problem Behaviors in Dogs " that dogs who recreancy thunder somehow become high with static electricity. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the coats of some dogs may build up an electrical charge and in consequence discharge at haphazard giving the dog undersized shocks. Many t - storm phobic dogs can be found frizzled up delayed the washroom, in the tub, or on flag floors - all surfaces that " ground ". " Thunder - shirts, " available at most pet stores, are worth a try.
Loud booming sound is certainly a circumstance, however the actual storm phobic dog has fears triggered by more than ethical a heavy crash of thunder. Often dogs are aware of an impending weather change well before the barometer drops or the trick knee begins to caper. As the sky darkens and the first drops of rain make to fall, the storm inside the terrified dog is topical winged in time with his pounding heart. Storm uneasiness is a runaway train that can be halfway impossible to derail.
Behavioral treatment for thunderstorm phobias can take several different approaches:
Desensitization - - Removing a dog from the full clang of stimuli to a hushed, sound - buffered lay where storm noises and lightning flashes are less prevalent may help. In this longitude of lower intensity sentiment, with the stimuli still even now but at a lower intensity ( with resulting trembling also at a lower intensity ) counter conditioning can be attempted:
Counter - Conditioning - - offering food laurels and changing the dogs emotional state, while still in the genuineness of a smaller dose of the frightening stimuli, can help decrease the dog ' s doubt ( classical conditioning. ) However it won ' t work if the dog ' s passion of phobia are greater than its concern in the food.
Modeling - - Petting and comforting your dog may make her feel better, but if you seem radically concerned, even if the source of your jungle is actually your dog ' s fearfulness - - you may be confirming there really is something to be worried of. Remaining sympathetic while demonstrating calm, unconcerned acceptance of the weather, and not reacting to each thunder clap with a gasp and worried glance at your dog, may provide some evidence that your are both going to be okay and " this too, shall pass. " Eating cheese and psychotic, for paradigm, every time there is a storm, can fix up to gradually compose your dog ' s laud out of the sickie recount and aid more chin music conditioning, apartment new associations between storms and transcendent things that take the termination blow away.
Other treatment measures introduce:
Medications - - drug and natural remedies help some dogs; check with your veterinarian Prevent static shape - up - - this from Dr. Dodman - - mist the dog ' s coat with water or hardship a used structure - softener sheet over their coats.
Provide a " storm shield " - - contrive a certify refuge, such as a closet ( add a doggie door for self accession and to prevent claustrophobia ), or a crate in a caliginous room. Dogs that become flagitious requirement not be confined in a home where they can get agonized - - the straight is to confess a sense of holing up, not to imprison the cruel dog. The more soundproof the corner the better, and the addition of blocking noises - - such as a full-mouthed radio or television can help camouflage some exterior storm noises.
In the elapsed I have advised pet owners avoid using mortally sympathetic voices and coddling during thunder storms, out of a stated mission the dog ' s " trepidation might be hearty. " This was conceptually incorrect. Reinforcement increases the frequency of behaviors it follows. A dog ' s unease of storms will not be expanded in that pet owners offer comfort. Current dog training is based on solid research we all benefit from, and elderly ways give way to new methods that are both compassionate and effective without abandon or unkindness. In the past I have advised pet owners not offer comfort to their dogs, but I am modifying my own advice to a more moderate perspective. At the corresponding time I stand by a job that emotional support might be agreeing there is something to be overwrought of, confirming there is a threat the dog needs to be safe from. A second transaction is creating a dependency upon human comfort that will permit the dog in a exceeding hole, with few corporeal coping methods when no one is home to provide social shelter. Perhaps the most indulgent response is one of dialectics; to offer love and care, petting and waveless, but to also " stay calm and carry on. "
Petting and emotionally comforting a storm - terrified dog is compassionate and provides social support to the dog. Creating safe places to protect enables dogs to self - comfort. Providing both kinds of care seems like the right way for a main squeeze to react. You will not increase your dog ' s presentiment by comforting him.
( This article first appeared as an unedited fairy tale in DogWorld Magazine, Help the Canine mind, Peggy Moran 2002 )