Our 6 year old female Chihuahua, a house dog, has become agitated by thunder and lightning. Not a problem until a year ago or so. She starts panting and pacing, then hiding. Any help will be appreciated.

-- Buddy in e. Ga. (Buddybud@csranet.com), April 12, 2002

Answers

I have never heard of anyone with a satisfactory solution for this. I recently had to give away a dalmation for this very reason. She got so afraid that she chewed through an inch-thick solid wood door to get in. Her mouth was bloody and she chipped two teeth. Pitiful.

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

You can get dog anxiety pills from the vet, but by the time they take effect the storm is over. :-(

I got some homeopathic motion sickness liquid med for dogs from Petsmart. Wonder if they have something for storm panic?

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

Well mine is a BIG FIERCE ROTWILER.(ok, so I can't spell)Anyway.She is afraid of fireworks and thunder storms. My neighbors ar from Mexico and celebrate everything with fireworks.Year round. This is a wonderful dog in every other way.She has ripped most of my screens. We gave up and let her in.It turns out she is also house broke and behaves very well in the house but she hides in my clothes closet when she is afraid.Which is often. She was dumped here. She is perfect and loving to everyone. So this must be the reason she was dumped. She doesn't bother any of the farm animals. Not even cats or chickens. I work, so if it might rain we have to leave her in while we are gone so she doesn't do like the Dalmation. I sure wish I knew a cure too.

-- corky wolf (corkywolf@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

Hi Buddy, wish I had help for you but you have had some good answers already. All I can add to this is, that I have been a Vet Tech most all my working life(a LOOOONNNGG time!)and in the desert too,so have met many people with this problem and the only thing the Veterinarian could offer was tranquilizers. It is sad I know, you want so badly to help them understand they are OK and you won't let anything happen to them. If it goes to extremes where the dog is going to be distructive or hurt itself from fear( unlikely with a little dog like yours) then I would use the tranks, otherwise all you can do is offer them moral support and hope the storm will be over soon. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 12, 2002.

Could you maybe put them in a dog crate to minimize their fear? And cover it to help them to not see the flashes? Just a thought...

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), April 12, 2002.

I have a miniature schnauzer who yelps, runs, and hides whenever we cook lamb. It's usually a day or so before he will walk downstairs without being carried to the door. Doggie Shrink? LOL

-- CJ (sheep@katahdins.net), April 12, 2002.

since these aren't hunting dogs try this, as soon as possible (before the sound starts is best)hold the dog securely on your lap with one hand. at the very next sound start petting the dog and rubbing it with your head and cheek all the while speaking in as soothing a tone as possible. do this every time and sooner or later the dog will begin to associate the noise with getting love bombed. the dog will lose its fear and become more attached. with bigger dogsyou will have to use your whole body to hold them still, and you will primarily use your head and cheek to rub their head, neck & shoulders. remember to speak soothingly the whole time. extra large dogs may require more than one person. this should only be done by someone the dog already trusts and shows affection to.

-- Pops (pops762@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

Food can also help dogs get over their anxieties. When we take puppies on their first few car rides, we make sure to give them a special treat at some point during the ride. Gets rid of carsickness problems before they start. If your dog has a special treat she likes, how about playing happily with her and giving her treats during the storm? It kind of seems like if you try to soothe the dog, you are rewarding and reinforcing its scared behaviour.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), April 13, 2002.

A vet can give you some Valium or Phenobarb. When you know a storm is coming (either by the weather report, get a barometer or just sniff the air) give the dog a pill in a lump of cream cheese or such treat. It takes about 15-20 minutes for the effects to start. Good Luck.

-- diane greene (greenwitch@catskillnativenursery.com), April 13, 2002.

My German Shepherd had this same problem. I did some searching on it to find out what I could do to cure her fear of the thunder. One place in particular said to record the sound of thunder on a tape and then play it constantly around the dog, starting with the volume very low and after a few day working it up. BUT, the entire time you are with the dog, loving and reassuring her/him. Eventually, the sound of thunder will become second nature and they'll no longer fear it. I don't know if this works or not, my precious died of old age before I needed to do it. Hope this helps.

-- c.d. (his4ever@mac.com), April 13, 2002.

Our vet suggested Dolomite (natures Valium). 1/2 teaspoon and our's slept threw a voilent thunderstorm. She awoke rested and is now able to stand small storms.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), April 13, 2002.

First I'd have her checked by the vet, especially for possible thyroid problems. Thyroid can change behaviors making a dog more anxious and reactive.

For storms try melatonin. July 1999 (I think it was) AVMA Journal reported that about 80% of storm-frightened dogs are helped by this, given as soon as the threat begins and repeated if needed.

-- Rev Oakes (tuckerdot@aol.com), April 13, 2002.

Buddy, I wish I had an answer! My Yorkie's what the lady she boards with on occasion calls a "thunder dog" -- she shakes and pants and runs around from the first clap of thunder until well after the last. My two other dogs (a Cocker mix and a Shepherd mix) can't be bothered with noticing something so inconsequential as the weather . I'm just thankful the thunderboomers don't arrive more often....

-- Christine (cytrowbridge@zianet.com), April 13, 2002.

Many Shelters have had excellent success with Dr. Bach's "Rescue Remedy". They just put it in the dogs water dishes during Storms...

I have personally used this product to calm an agitated animal. You can put a couple of drops on their tongue...on the inside of their mouth or ear, etc.

It is completely NATURAL..made from flower essences...

IT WORKS!!

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Many Shelters have had excellent success with Dr. Bach's "Rescue Remedy". They just put it in the dogs water dishes during Storms...

I have personally used this product to calm an agitated animal. You can put a couple of drops on their tongue...on the inside of their mouth or ear, etc.

It is completely NATURAL..made from flower essences...You can buy it at most stores that have natural products.

IT WORKS!!

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Buddy,

In response to your Question about how long I have used this product and its cost...

I have used Bach's Rescue Remedy for 5 years. The small bottle runs about $8. REMEMBER YOU ONLY NEED a drop or two...NO MORE! For a 10 lb animal...

Give it 10 minutes and see how they do...then another drop or two. That should do the trick. I have never even had a fighting feral cat need more than 6 drops.

-- BC (Katnip364@aol.com), April 16, 2002.