If you’ve ever lived through a lightning storm or 4th of July fireworks with an anxious dog, you know you need all the help you can get to reassure your shivering shelty or your terrified terrier! Here is a quick review on how to treat thunder phobias in dogs:
First, you want to create a safe place where your dog can hide. Often this is in the bathroom or basement. Nicolas Dodman says some dogs can feel the electrical charge of a thunderstorm and need to get grounded so they don’t get shocked. (read his article.)
Second, help your dog feel safe by turning up the radio or TV to drown out some of the sounds. This can ease some of the suffering that comes with each boom of thunder.
Third, if you know a storm is brewing, give your dog some supplements or even drugs (after you talk to your vet) to help calm her nerves. Some supplements are: valerian; melatonin; L-theanine; rescue remedy and two drugs to talk to your vet about might be: alprazolam or valium. Your vet may have more ideas when you see her. Give the drugs or supplements at least an hour before the event to get him calm.
Also, your dog may respond to the Anxiety Wrap which helps calm anxious dogs by “squeezing” them into a tight fitting jacket.
The behavior protocol used to treat Thunder Phobia is called: Counter Conditioning and Desensitization and is a time consuming method of helping your dog to feel better. The idea is that you present the sound at a very low level and slowly increase it as the dog becomes comfortable. This is combined with treats and anything the dog enjoys to help him learn to tolerate the sound. The challenge with this is there are environmental pressure changes associated with thunderstorms that would be hard to mimic. This is can be done more easily with fireworks and other loud sounds that don’t create electrical static or other changes in the environment.
STILL NEED HELP?
Call Colleen at 541-601-7601