Thunderstorm Phobia

[StillandSilent]

The past three weeks, we've had quite a few storms in the area, leading me to discover that Argon is terrified of them. Here's what I have tried:
I bought a CD of thunder sounds and worked with desensitizing him to them. Now he's desensitized to the CD, but still afraid of the actual thunder. Not exactly how a planned for it to go.

I give him good treats (String Cheese and Pepperoni- Yum!) during the storm. He's fine while the treats are being handed out, but as soon as the treats are gone, it's tremble city around here. The storms can last for hours, so giving him treats the entire time isn't really an option. If the treat is gone for longer than a few seconds, the trembling starts again.

He seems to get upset before I see any signs of a storm, and before I can hear any thunder. I'm wondering if he senses the changes in the air and is scared by that as much as the thunder itself.

What should I do when he's actually scared? I usually let him sit on the bed with me (he is always allowed on the bed, but he usually prefers his chair), but should I pet him, or is that reinforcing his behavior. I hate to see him afraid and not do anything, especially since we had a hard time bonding in the beginning and I want him to feel safe with me.

 

[Doberluv]

Will he play a favorite game while getting treats? Or is that not distracting enough for him? If he'll do something he likes to do while it's happening, he may associate it with a pretty okay time. I usually act like, "OH boy! This is cool! Let's play!" And my dogs, though not really afraid, (but Chuli is mildly alarmed)fall for it every time. LOL.

If that doesn't do it for your guy, I would suggest curling up on the couch and put a blankie over him if he likes that....just snuggle while You watch TV or something. Be there. Tell him it's okay, be cheerful and confident....don't make a huge, sympathetic fuss where you come across very different acting lest he think you're worried too and that instead of it being a little scary, there really truly IS something very bad out there. I think there's a balance to be found between sympathy.... comforting and reinforcing or escalating his fears even more.

 

[corgipower]

At that point, I don't think you need to worry about reinforcing the fear. Pet him if it helps. At that level of fear, he's not in a frame of mind to really learn anyway.

I also would consider drugs for him.

 

[StillandSilent]

Unfortunatly Argon doesn't really understand the concept of toys or games (he didn't have either for five years), but I might try stuffing a KONG with some frozen peanut butter, he likes that a lot.
I may have to try some drugs, especially as he has seizures that have a stress componant to them. A storm has never triggered one, but you never know.

 

[elegy]

i'd try a stuffed kong and see if that will last longer and keep him occupied. it is definitely a good thing that he's able to take treats!!

 

[Sher]

Lily is scared of storms also, but she seems to get a bit better the more she experiences them. She plasters herself to me in my chair and I pet her and I have been massaging her and that seems to help. Also, she loves to chase a laser beam and that will get her mind off the storm for 5 or 10 minutes at a time, then I massage her again and if the storm is still going on we do the laser again and so on.... Here in FL, we are having a lot of storms the last few weeks so Lily has been on edge to say the least... ...
Mostly you should just try to get his mind off of it. I know that is easier said than done...

 

[OutlineACDs]

For some dogs its easiest and best to just use drugs. We had to dose one of our goldens with acepromazine (sp?) every time. He had to be drugged or he couldn't be left alone. If someone could sit with him he was super-nervous, but not destructive. The worst was having storms hit when we weren't home. We had to replace a door because of that.

If your dog seizures due to stress it would probably wise to have your vet prescribe something he can take to calm him during storms.

Do try the frozen kong though.

 

[Saraq]

Good advices allready in this thread!

I wrote an article about dog´s fear few weeks back. Hope it gives some ideas or information to you
"Fear is dog´s normal self-protective response to potentially injurious stimulation, it´s natural. It is expressed in three broad ways: freeze, flight and fight. Fear-elicited fighting occurs in situations involving intense fearful arousal and where flight is blocked. Outward signs of fear include a variety of body postures, facial expressions and physiological indicators. Dogs will freeze, attempt to escape or attack, depending on the fear-eliciting situation. Physiological changes in dog are among other things raised pulse, increased panting, thick salivatio, raised blood pressure, shivering and trembing, pupillary dilation, and lose bowel and bladder control. A fearful dog will often lower its head and avert eye contact, fasten its ears back and tuck the tail tightly between the legs. Fearful dogs may also scramble frantically to escape or evade a feared object while loudly whining, yelping or shrieking." Read more