Thunderstorm season is upon us, and while most of us have outgrown the fears of thunder and lightning that we might have had as children, there are often some smaller, furry members of our households that are virtually petrified whenever the rumbles and flashes start.
If you have a dog that is afraid when it storms, you are familiar with the shaking, salivating, seeking of cold places to lie, and whining that these canine scareddy dogs can exhibit.
It's sad to see your best doggy friend so upset. So, what's an owner to do? Unlike people, dogs tend to get more scared of this phenomenon as they age, so it's important to do something. The first thing to do is become a base of security for your dog. That means not changing your demeanor or routine because a storm is approaching.
Realize that dogs can hear thunder farther off than you can, and they will often react before the storm arrives - if your veterinarian prescribes medication to help with your dog's anxiety, be sure to ask if you should administer it ahead of time, or even seasonally, rather than waiting until the dog is already in a panic.
You'll want to provide a safe haven for your dog. Often, that means a darkened room, bathtub (believe it or not, many dogs seek the tub themselves when it storms) or even the basement. Training your dog to go to his "secure spot" to be entertained with a stuffed Kong toy well in advance creates a feeling of well being in that spot that your dog can use to help himself calm down better. Dogs love routine. However, in this case, using the dog's crate might not be the best place, as some dogs will panic when confined. You just have to know your dog and do the best you can to make the place a safe one.
There is a dog-appeasing pheromone, with no negative side effects, that has shown some promise in helping dogs remain calmer. It comes in a diffuser or as a collar that the dog can wear. It's called Comfort Zone D.A.P., and is sold at most major pet retailers, as well as the smaller pet boutiques.
Another recent invention is the Thundershirt (http://www.thundershirt.com/). It's relatively inexpensive, uses no drugs, and has helped many dogs, not only with storm anxiety, but with reactivity (dogs that react with fear at the approach of humans, other dogs, or scary objects).
You can also attempt to desensitize your dog to loud noises, such as thunder, by using recordings of the noise, played first at very low volume and paired with the delivery of a scrumptious treat or playing a tug game. Here's an article from a Belgian trainer outlining, in simple terms, how this game works: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001c/perspective.htm.
CDs of thunder and other loud noises are available at: http://www.calmaudio.com/.
If you cannot seem to solve the problem yourself, you can find a behavior professional at http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory or at http://www.iaabc.org/suchen/.
If you are a senior, and your dog is thunder phobic, you can also get referrals, or obtain advice, from SeniorCare's Pawsitive Connections' non-profit program at 978-281-1570 x313.
Anne Springer is the public relations director of SeniorCare Inc., your local area agency on aging. To reach SeniorCare, call 978-281-1750.
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