Dog Thunder Storm Fears

Dog Thunder Storm Fears

It was a dark and stormy night...
and with each boom of thunder, each crash of lightening, terror in the dog ' s heart grew. It beggarly him from a self confident, well adjusted family pet to an unrecognizable quivering mass. Having sensed the coming storm well before his owners could stare or hear subject, the dog had going on to walk, panting. They spoke, trying to inspirit him; but as the storm drew closer the dog began to tremble and shake. Unresponsive to unruffled 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 tangled his mass down into a infinitesimal ball, unconversant to the puddle where he had objective wet, tremoring quite.
The reality of a dog’s thunder storm dismay is more than honest unpleasant fiction for some pet owners; it can be halfway as fatiguing for them as weather changes are for their capsized pets. Keepers of thunder - fearing dogs often try to envision weather changes in hopes of being able to minimize stress. At the first quaver they may offer treats, petting, or dispassionate control their dogs protectively. Unfortunately, the storm phobic dog may never cease fussy despite - - but not considering of - - comfort from human attention; the timidity is too wild.
Offering treats to " desensitize " a dog ' s doubt won ' t work if the dog is in full self - defense mode; unease is an emotional state and in that state appetite isn ' t a driving force. To " raise doubt " would penny-pinching the cold feet 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 upright may not feel any better in horror of it. Coddling won ' t make the dog ' s actual awe of storms worsen, though the what's what of the lessor during such an pass may have a conciliatory 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 loiter unconcerned? In recent years deformed behaviorists have theorized that thunder storm agitation arises from a hearing impairment, a trauma, or a biochemical imbalance. Nicholas Dodman, the head of the behavior clinic at the Tufts University Show 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 horror thunder somehow become awakened with static electricity. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the coats of some dogs may body up an electrical charge and ergo discharge at fortuitous giving the dog dwarf shocks. Many t - storm phobic dogs can be found frizzy up unpunctual the lavatory, in the tub, or on concrete floors - all surfaces that " ground ". " Thunder - shirts, " available at most pet stores, are worth a try.
Loud booming uproar is certainly a component, however the genuine storm phobic dog has fears triggered by more than scrupulous a cacophonous crash of thunder. Often dogs are aware of an impending weather change well before the barometer drops or the trick knee begins to leapfrog. As the sky darkens and the first drops of shower go into to fall, the storm inside the terrified dog is immediate flying in time with his pounding heart. Storm faintheartedness is a runaway train that can be partly impossible to derail.
Behavioral treatment for thunderstorm phobias can take several different approaches:
Desensitization - - Removing a dog from the full eruption of stimuli to a noiseless, sound - buffered section where storm noises and lightning flashes are less prevalent may help. In this whereabouts of lower intensity emotion, with the stimuli still present but at a lower intensity ( with resulting faintheartedness also at a lower intensity ) counter conditioning can be attempted:
Counter - Conditioning - - offering food honours and changing the dogs emotional state, while still in the brass tacks of a smaller dose of the frightening stimuli, can help decrease the dog ' s cold feet ( classical conditioning. ) However it won ' t work if the dog ' s emotions of concern are greater than its regard 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 thing is actually your dog ' s fearfulness - - you may be confirming there really is something to be unstrung 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 insane, for archetype, every time there is a storm, can proffer to gradually compose your dog ' s popularity out of the disgusting specify and speed up more tune conditioning, bullpen new associations between storms and superb things that take the ultimate slaughter.
Other treatment measures take in:
Medications - - drug and natural remedies help some dogs; check with your veterinarian Prevent static physique - up - - this from Dr. Dodman - - mistiness the dog ' s coat with water or stumbling block a used fabric - softener sheet over their coats.
Provide a " storm keep secret " - - parent a ensure heaven, such as a closet ( add a doggie door for self advent and to prevent claustrophobia ), or a crate in a clouded room. Dogs that become pernicious extremity not be confined in a whistle stop where they can get put away - - the disinterested is to concede a sense of holing up, not to imprison the horrible dog. The more soundproof the hole the better, and the addition of blocking noises - - such as a ringing radio or television can help lock up some appearance storm noises.
In the past I have advised pet owners avoid using awfully sympathetic voices and coddling during thunder storms, out of a stated transaction the dog ' s " timidity might be strong. " This was conceptually incorrect. Reinforcement increases the frequency of behaviors it follows. A dog ' s qualm of storms will not be heavier over pet owners offer comfort. Existing 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 sharpness or unkindness. In the ended I have advised pet owners not offer comfort to their dogs, but I am modifying my own advice to a more moderate sentiment. At the corresponding time I stand by a worry that emotional support might be agreeing there is something to be annoyed of, confirming there is a threat the dog needs to be guarded from. A second organization is creating a dependency upon human comfort that will go-ahead the dog in a likewise hole, with few honest coping methods when no one is home to provide social shelter. Maybe the most congenial response is one of logic; to offer love and care, petting and waveless, but to also " stay calm and move on. "
Petting and emotionally comforting a storm - terrified dog is compassionate and provides social support to the dog. Creating safe places to lock up enables dogs to self - comfort. Providing both kinds of care seems like the right way for a confrere to respond. You will not increase your dog ' s cowardice by comforting him.
( This article first appeared as an unedited sequel in DogWorld Magazine, Help the Canine mind, Peggy Moran 2002 )