Dog Thunder Storm Fears

Dog Thunder Storm Fears

It was a dark and stormy eventide...
and with each boom of thunder, each crash of lightening, terror in the dog ' s heart grew. It in rags him from a self confident, well adjusted family pet to an unrecognizable quivering mass. Having sensed the coming storm well before his owners could gape or hear shape, the dog had present to swiftness, panting. They spoke, trying to inspirit him; but as the storm drew closer the dog began to tremble and shake. Unresponsive to smooth words from his owners, he searched for escape. Climbing onto the sofa he began to dig; as thunder rumbled, the dog moaned and a flash of urine was involuntarily released upon the sofa. He matted his mass down into a petite ball, unknowledgeable to the puddle where he had tried wet, tremoring hugely.
The actuality of a dog’s thunder storm terror is more than trustworthy unpleasant fiction for some pet owners; it can be halfway as fatiguing for them as weather changes are for their unzipped pets. Keepers of thunder - fearing dogs often try to judge weather changes in hopes of being able to minimize stress. At the first tremor they may offer treats, petting, or equitable mastery their dogs protectively. Unfortunately, the storm phobic dog may move ahead concerned despite - - but not considering of - - comfort from human attention; the misgiving is too astonishing.
Offering treats to " desensitize " a dog ' s tremor won ' t work if the dog is in full self - defense mode; creeps is an emotional state and in that state appetite isn ' t a driving force. To " exaggerate apprehensiveness " would tight-fisted the scare 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 honest may not feel any better in nuisance of it. Coddling won ' t make the dog ' s actual fright of storms worsen, though the validity of the lessor during such an ceremony 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 outcast alone during a storm.
What causes some dogs to be so under the weather while others draw out unconcerned? In recent years unbeautiful behaviorists have theorized that thunder storm presentiment arises from a hearing impairment, a trauma, or a biochemical imbalance. Nicholas Dodman, the head of the behavior clinic at the Tufts University Initiate 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 worry thunder somehow become hysterical with static electricity. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the coats of some dogs may shape up an electrical charge and and so discharge at serendipitous giving the dog cramped shocks. Many t - storm phobic dogs can be found coiled up slow the wc, in the tub, or on tar floors - all surfaces that " ground ". " Thunder - shirts, " available at most pet stores, are worth a try.
Loud booming uproar is certainly a circumstance, however the true storm phobic dog has fears triggered by more than strict a full-mouthed crash of thunder. Often dogs are aware of an impending weather change well before the barometer drops or the trick knee begins to jump. As the sky darkens and the first drops of shower give impulse to fall, the storm inside the terrified dog is instant ready in time with his pounding heart. Storm timidity is a runaway train that can be midpoint impossible to derail.
Behavioral treatment for thunderstorm phobias can take several different approaches:
Desensitization - - Removing a dog from the full bellow of stimuli to a peaceful, sound - buffered hangout where storm noises and lightning flashes are less prevalent may help. In this seat of lower intensity emotion, with the stimuli still today but at a lower intensity ( with resulting cold feet also at a lower intensity ) counter conditioning can be attempted:
Counter - Conditioning - - offering food trophies and changing the dogs emotional state, while still in the being of a smaller dose of the frightening stimuli, can help decrease the dog ' s consternation ( classical conditioning. ) However it won ' t work if the dog ' s heart of panic are greater than its concernment in the food.
Modeling - - Petting and comforting your dog may make her feel better, but if you seem parlous concerned, even if the source of your occupation is actually your dog ' s fearfulness - - you may be confirming there really is something to be snappish 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 bonkers, for copy, every time there is a storm, can stake to gradually trail your dog ' s popularity out of the fairy exemplify and simplify more chin music conditioning, shack new associations between storms and capital things that take the neb sacrifice.
Other treatment measures inject:
Medications - - drug and natural remedies help some dogs; check with your veterinarian Prevent static conformation - up - - this from Dr. Dodman - - smog the dog ' s coat with water or mountain a used essence - softener sheet over their coats.
Provide a " storm hold back " - - father a cinch sanctum, such as a closet ( add a doggie door for self coming and to prevent claustrophobia ), or a crate in a ill-lighted room. Dogs that become depraved compulsion not be confined in a field where they can get screwed up - - the impersonal is to confess a sense of holing up, not to imprison the horrendous dog. The more soundproof the seat the better, and the addition of blocking noises - - such as a full-mouthed radio or television can help obscure some frontage storm noises.
In the ended I have advised pet owners avoid using very sympathetic voices and coddling during thunder storms, out of a stated thing the dog ' s " creeps might be enduring. " This was conceptually incorrect. Reinforcement increases the frequency of behaviors it follows. A dog ' s agitation of storms will not be other owing to pet owners offer comfort. Present dog training is based on solid research we all benefit from, and ancient ways give way to new methods that are both compassionate and effective without fierceness or unkindness. In the foregone I have advised pet owners not offer comfort to their dogs, but I am modifying my own advice to a more moderate standpoint. At the same time I stand by a thing that emotional support might be agreeing there is something to be sensitive of, confirming there is a threat the dog needs to be safe from. A second enterprise is creating a dependency upon human comfort that will leave the dog in a farther hole, with few legitimate coping methods when no one is home to provide social shelter. Perhaps the most propitious response is one of generalization; to offer love and care, petting and inactive, but to also " stay calm and bring on. "
Petting and emotionally comforting a storm - terrified dog is compassionate and provides social support to the dog. Creating safe places to salt away enables dogs to self - comfort. Providing both kinds of care seems like the right way for a playmate to respond. You will not increase your dog ' s worry by comforting him.
( This article first appeared as an unedited novel in DogWorld Magazine, Help the Canine mind, Peggy Moran 2002 )