Help for Thunder-Phobic Dogs

[ArkRescue]

"June 1, 2006 — A new study shows that dogs can get very upset during thunderstorms, whether or not their owner holds them. The study measured the stress hormone cortisol to be up to three times normal levels while the dogs heard recordings of a thunderstorm. The company of other dogs did help, though vets say medications may be more effective."

Help for Thunder-Phobic Dogs -- Veterinarians Show Consoling Dogs Does Not Relieve Their Panic

 

[RareBreed]

I got my mom a Thundershirt for her dog last Christmas and she said it's like night and day the difference it makes during storms.

 

[ArkRescue]

I got my mom a Thundershirt for her dog last Christmas and she said it's like night and day the difference it makes during storms.

I just found out a relative uses one also and swears by it. I guess I need to get one for my 70 lb baby.

 

[frequentflier]

I got my mom a Thundershirt for her dog last Christmas and she said it's like night and day the difference it makes during storms.

Our spaniel mix was ok during storms until our hangar got hit by lightening a couple years ago. The petsitter used a thundershirt on Dexter and said it calmed him down. I ended up buying one for him to use at home. I don't sell them, though, because I hear some people say they work and some people say they don't. I guess it depends on the dog.

 

[ArkRescue]

Our spaniel mix was ok during storms until our hangar got hit by lightening a couple years ago. The petsitter used a thundershirt on Dexter and said it calmed him down. I ended up buying one for him to use at home. I don't sell them, though, because I hear some people say they work and some people say they don't. I guess it depends on the dog.

Maybe you could carry a few sizes for people to try (with a deposit), and if it works they get a new one that you order for them? That way you get the sale, but don't have the possibility of people complaining about a product they bought that doesn't work for them?

I have purchased many things in the past that didn't work for one pet personality issue or another. You try it on another pet, you donate it to a rescue/shelter, or you give it away. No one should really be holding YOU liable.

I can't tell you how many people have purchased a cat toy or a climby thing and the cat ignored it - they donate it or give it away and whine about how much they spent on it. We have foster cats that either like the climby thing or not. At least some of the cats use it.

 

[NTNG]

I just found out a relative uses one also and swears by it. I guess I need to get one for my 70 lb baby.

I just take the liner of our bulldogs crate < a soft, kinda plush square thingy > and kinda wrap her up in that, and she calms right down. I may have to pet her for a few minutes, but it seems to work.

 

[Metrocrap]

Maybe the dogs all need a thunder buddy. See the thunder buddy clip from the movie "Ted" for details.

 

[KDENISE977]

My good friend uses one on her dog who has separation anxiety, she said the vet told her to try it and it works. Not that she uses it every day since she has doggie prozac.

 

[b23hqb]

We had a dog that just freaked out during any loud event. She died on her own, in the backyard, in Jan.

No more issues. I miss the dog, but not the issues of her destroying anything she was around when anything unexpectedly loud occurred.

 

[rabbithead]

I bought a cheap doggy t-shirt at the drugstore. It fits my beagle really tight and works well during thunderstorms. I also put it on him for trips to the vet and now he doesn't shake and pant all the way there.

 

[luvmygdaughters]

I cant remember if it was the Dog Whisperer or the english woman who used to have a show on Animal Planet. Anyway, they would say if your dog is afraid of thunder storms, it does absolutely no good to pet them and talk soothingly, all that does is reinforce the behavior they are doing at that time. The best thing to do, according to whichever one it was, is to get dog treats and distract them with that. Then, again according to whoever, the dogs will associate the thunder storms with good things. I saw them demonstrate this using a sound recording of thunder. It really seemed to work. Of course thats tv and God knows how long they had to feed them treats to get this result. Captn. Morgan doesnt freak out during storms but she definitely does like them. She'll start panting very heavy and look for a dark place to curl up in.

 

[belvak]

The grandpup freaks during storms. She also gets tweaked out over loud noises (garbage truck, UPS and FedEx trucks, etc. We got her a thundershirt... She chewed it off. I'm going to see if I can use velcro and super glue and repair it. The last few storms we've had hit at night, and we've discovered that when we just go upstairs and leave her downstairs she doesn't get as worked up. No barking anyway!

 

[ICit]

The grandpup freaks during storms. She also gets tweaked out over loud noises (garbage truck, UPS and FedEx trucks, etc. We got her a thundershirt... She chewed it off. I'm going to see if I can use velcro and super glue and repair it. The last few storms we've had hit at night, and we've discovered that when we just go upstairs and leave her downstairs she doesn't get as worked up. No barking anyway!

you should really check out Dog TV.... OMG

so desensitizing them to storms and noises is the key!! Wow.. and had Dog TV helped mine. Hate to admit it but I really enjoy watching it .. very relaxing!!!

they have relaxation, exposure and stimulation sessions .... now that I leave it on during the day for them ... they are not all when I get home... and the biggest thing I have noticed is how it has desensitized my one dog (protection trained) to some noises!! (whistling, other dogs barking... things like that!)

 

[belvak]

you should really check out Dog TV.... OMG

so desensitizing them to storms and noises is the key!! Wow.. and had Dog TV helped mine. Hate to admit it but I really enjoy watching it .. very relaxing!!!

they have relaxation, exposure and stimulation sessions .... now that I leave it on during the day for them ... they are not all when I get home... and the biggest thing I have noticed is how it has desensitized my one dog (protection trained) to some noises!! (whistling, other dogs barking... things like that!)

I would love to, but I don't believe it is in the Comcast line-up. I'll have to check again.

 

[ICit]

I would love to, but I don't believe it is in the Comcast line-up. I'll have to check again.