"It's raining cats and dogs... and I don't like it!" Photo: eschultz/Flickr
To help your pet remain calm, start by making sure that anything your dog can chew, rip, bite or tear is out of reach. I've seen some animals tear furniture -- and sometimes entire rooms -- apart when their owners have left them alone during a storm.
Many owners place their dogs on anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Never give your dog human medication, like Xanax, for example.
If your dog's anxiety during thunderstorms is a cause for concern, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
Do you have a question for Dr. Cooper? Send it to pawnation@aol.com.
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Are you for real? They do not chew! They shake and shake and hide in bathtubs, your lap and under beds!
Chew? Not in my experience of 30 plus dogs
you are stupid what kind of awnser is that
Such a succinct and stupid response to a very troublesome problem, from another so called expert. I find that making sure my dog knows that I am feeling fine and strong during the storm, calm cool and collected. Emotions help impart themselves to the dog somewhat. The other thing I began to do when I recieved my rescue Dobie from Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue, was to play games during storms, which includes treats and much laughter and fun and overall silliness, sit stay, hide and seek the treat etc....Often times when storms are not about, I drop books, large ones, suddenly on the floor for no reason what so ever and then laugh and laugh and call the pups over and frolic with them and hand out treats too....they think this is a simply wonderful game and are eager to join when ever the thought strikes me. I also have a CD with T-storm sounds on it, and often play this when there are no storms, it contains simple rain storms as well as heavy thunder storms.... I then encourage them to play with one another while playing it and the other games I mentioned above. When I aquired the male dog he was so badly frightened of storms, (Katrina Rescue BTW!!) He would try to make himself as small as possible and hide in the kneehole of my desk, especially when mykess are trying to use the space. Do NOT coddle nor cuddle your animal during these tough times. Be silly and loud and fun....wrestle with your dog...play fetch in the house if you're able to. Mine love playing hide and seek treat and this takes thier minds off the current situation. One must be able to keep it up during the length of the storm so you may have to adjust thier food for the day, as the treats may add up, lol...This may sound cruel but has helped my dog tremendously. I put him on a leash and on his bed and had a small hook attached to the undeside of the window sill to put his leash on. I forced him to stay there on his own and to ride out the storm for a while...once calm, I began the games!!. try this method and be sure to harden your hear to those big brown eyes and know you are doing this for the over all improvement of your pet and companion!!
I agree! They did not answer the question.
I always use the "easy" command to calm my dog down. Let me explain;
Whenever my sheltie is relaxing with us, I'll gently pet her and tell her "good easy". I do this all the time when she's relaxing. I've also allowed her to lick peanut butter off my arm while sitting with her during these relax times. The "easy" command then is associated (in her mind) with remaining calm. Doing this is training her to relax when the "easy" command is given.
I've also found that playing with her favorite toy during the thunderstorms is really helpful. Jeesh... I'm no dog trainer, but even I know this. Doh!
I agree with Susie. I adopted a beagle/rat terrier last June and she's scared too death of thunder and storms. I do try to make it a "fun time" when it storms. I love the idea with the dropping book, to desensitize. I don't think I could tie her to the window though. My other dog doesn't like them but he can deal with it,
Thanks for the good comment Susie!
I couldn't agree with you more Susie. I too was very dissapointed in the answer from the "expert." We have a Basset Hound that is an outside dog that will almost tear the porch door up trying to be let in the house. We feel so sorry for him that he usually gets to wait out the storm in the house. I also have a cat that gets nervous during storms too. I never noticed it though until we had a severe storm with hail in it. She started howling just before the hail started to fall. I knew there was a serious storm outside for sure when she started doing that and even I was worried.
This so called "expert" sounds like a politician, Dr. Cooper really never answered the question, so I am suppose to go get doggie valium?
yeah. this expert is dumb! i have a german shepard and she is TERRIFIED of t storms. thanx 2 suzi, shes been getting better everytime. thanx!!!!!!
Why are you all so negative. What makes his answer bad at all? I think he makes an excellent point and he is the one with the medical training.
I love his answer to this question and feel he always answers the questions very well. You people are just negative and think you know everything it seems.
My vet gave me a prescription for Xanax! The first dose made his back legs useless and very scary drugged up. Then he lowered the dose and he will just stand and watch the lightning and be very calm and sleep. Why not use Xanax? What is the problem if the dose is correct?
People ..come on,, you all need a chill pill! Dr. Cooper provided excellent and helpful answers.....Why are you all such haters! ,,,PULEASEE,,,,he knows what he is talking about..
why do dogs throw up yellow goop? we are very careful what our 3 yr old poodle mix eats. We worry....help!
My vet recommended Clomicalm for dogs and it seems to help with storms and so far it works great.
I'm a professional dog trainer. When dogs exhibit high levels of anxiety in response to anything (thunder, dishwasher, doorbell, whatever), this is possibly a behavioral issue. Of course its best to consult a trainer, and have them observe the problem, if possible. With a good combination of exercise and training, anxiety can be worked out without having to drug your dog.
I have a pitt bull who is terrified of thunderstorms (of course I have a miniture pinscher who could care less if it is storming as long as she isn't stuck in the rain...go figure). Anyway, I personally would never give my dog drugs to calm him down unless he was harming himself or others during the storm. Secondly, we either play or I just pet him and he calms down. That is what we do. I am not saying that would work on everybody else but that is what we do. Personally, never had the problem with the chewing. If anything, he would lick his feet like crazy but usually he just shakes and looks like someone has beat him half to death.
I have a large (not fat) miniature poodle - 38 pounds. Scrapper is terrified of thunder. He jumps on my bed and burrows under the pillow. I discovered that if I cover him with a sheet - even his head - he relaxes and can ride out the storm.