We have a 120+ pound Lab / Newfoundland mix who is absolutely terrified of thunderstorms. I had to resort to drugging him with some pretty wicked stuff just so he wouldn't end up injuring himself (or us). Does anyone out there have advice on how to help calm our poor pup?
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Dogs and Thunderstorms
- Thread starter RedtailForester
- Start date
millworkman
eXtreme
Beer. Just not the good stuff. It is really funny around here, we have a 50lb Finnish Lapphund and a 120lb Great Dane x Border Collie and the little on loves storms. She will beg for us to open the front door so she can watch through the storm door. The big one will find anywhere to hide if it even starts to sprinkle. He has horrible hips but can climb his way into the bathtub to hide.
Locked in a small room in the house with a radio on and the light on worked for me. He's quite smart and lets us know if he wants in or out.
Now he's 17, he's deaf and blind so I can only imagine what he's thinking when walking around and suddenly gets soaked. Needless to say he's not aware of storms to be scared of now.
Now he's 17, he's deaf and blind so I can only imagine what he's thinking when walking around and suddenly gets soaked. Needless to say he's not aware of storms to be scared of now.
the best approach ids to create him with a dog kennel that is just enough for him to stand up and turn around no more
i used to work for a few pet shops and this seems to be the best appoach, he cant go anywhere to hurt himself this way, you can also use herbal calmitives or other before you create him
cover the create with a sheet to darken it also helps
thasnks your friend Joe
i used to work for a few pet shops and this seems to be the best appoach, he cant go anywhere to hurt himself this way, you can also use herbal calmitives or other before you create him
cover the create with a sheet to darken it also helps
thasnks your friend Joe
salsalady
eXtreme Business
Hey Redtail,
My suggestion is along the lines of 101010xxx...a small interior area, with music playing to hide the storm noises.
For one dog, we got tranquilizer pills before the 4th of July. That helped her chill out for the fire-works Bangs.
We've had dogs react to fireworks, storms, guns, the usual.
This is a good story-
Our dogs and our neighbors dogs get along very well and visit every day. Our dogs go into their house and get treats, and the same happens at our house. Their dogs come in and get treats.
A couple years ago, the neighbors were off at the hospital (having baby #2), we were all set to feed the dogs in the AM etc...
Evening of the happy event....BIG thunderstorm!
Our back door (had) a cat door in the bottom panel of the door which was 1/4 plywood. (at the time
)
Our neighbor's German Shepherd dog, clawed her way past the cat door and through the plywood to get into our house while her family was gone during a bad thunderstorm. It was a typical 5"x8"-ish flapper-type cat door. Somehow, the dog clawed enough of the door away to get into our house through the cat door.
That incident has always amazed me and also made me feel good that the dog came to our place when it was alone in a storm.
My suggestion is along the lines of 101010xxx...a small interior area, with music playing to hide the storm noises.
For one dog, we got tranquilizer pills before the 4th of July. That helped her chill out for the fire-works Bangs.
We've had dogs react to fireworks, storms, guns, the usual.
This is a good story-
Our dogs and our neighbors dogs get along very well and visit every day. Our dogs go into their house and get treats, and the same happens at our house. Their dogs come in and get treats.
A couple years ago, the neighbors were off at the hospital (having baby #2), we were all set to feed the dogs in the AM etc...
Evening of the happy event....BIG thunderstorm!
Our back door (had) a cat door in the bottom panel of the door which was 1/4 plywood. (at the time
) Our neighbor's German Shepherd dog, clawed her way past the cat door and through the plywood to get into our house while her family was gone during a bad thunderstorm. It was a typical 5"x8"-ish flapper-type cat door. Somehow, the dog clawed enough of the door away to get into our house through the cat door.
That incident has always amazed me and also made me feel good that the dog came to our place when it was alone in a storm.
Have you seen this?
http://www.thundershirt.com/
I think I got my dog an XL, to see if it would make him less agressive toward other dogs on walks and help with his separation anxiety. It turned him into one cuddly dog who liked to lean against me all the time. He chewed it up a bit and I stopped putting it on him because he is sensitive to heat and has a massive chest so it didnt fit so well. Not sure if it would fit your dog but if you dont mind one small hole he put in it, doesnt effect it fitting or anything. I'd be happy to send it to you.
http://www.thundershirt.com/
I think I got my dog an XL, to see if it would make him less agressive toward other dogs on walks and help with his separation anxiety. It turned him into one cuddly dog who liked to lean against me all the time. He chewed it up a bit and I stopped putting it on him because he is sensitive to heat and has a massive chest so it didnt fit so well. Not sure if it would fit your dog but if you dont mind one small hole he put in it, doesnt effect it fitting or anything. I'd be happy to send it to you.
I'm not sure what kind of sedative you're using, but benadryl works just as well. Especially for the big dogs. I had a briard and a great Pyrenees growing up that were terribly spoiled by my mother and terribly gun shy. A child's dose (or appox. by weight) of some cheapo benadryl (diphenhydramine) takes the edge off very well.
in regards to the thundershirt Dan, you could use one of your old lumber jack shirts.
Thanks for all of the advice folks. I was very worried that the big guy was going to hurt himself last night. I haven't seen him that bad in a long time. I may end up ordering the Thundershirt today.
For now...COFFEE...lots of COFFEE!!!!! (for me, not the dog
)
For now...COFFEE...lots of COFFEE!!!!! (for me, not the dog
)
For some reason it seems the big dogs have more fear of storms than little ones. I have no idea why although we did have a tiny Pomeranian who ran and hid in her bed when it thundered, the other two, Pomeranian and American Eskimo, could care less. Hope you find something that helps.
Thanks Lazy!!!