Stress over Thunder and Lightening

[SapheraGirl]

Need some advice.

Saphera is 2y/o. She was never really afraid of thunder or lightening in the past but has progressively become petrified of it over the past 6-9 months.

Last night we had a wicked storm (from about Midnight to 3 AM). Saphera was beside herself. For hours she paced and panted, crawled between my husband and myself, snuggled under the covers. I felt so horrible as there was no way to console her. At one point, she was shaking.

Had I had Rescue Remedy in the house I would have given it to her but I was out (I will pick some up today).

The other odd thing was right before each BANG of thunder, Saphera would lift her nose in the air and smell as if she knew it were coming. She was very anxious all night.

I know some of you have the same issue with your pups. Any suggestions, advice?

[Itsapyr]

You know really I don't. I just try to give her a hidey spot which is either under me or finally, she has discovered her crate. I just try to reassure her as much as I can but not over do.

[mezmerelda]

The only thing that has worked for us is getting Beowulf stoned, and not on Rescue Remedy. It's not something I would consider giving to one of the Swissies - I would do a fair bit more research on that before I did.

I'm sorry, though. I know that is tough, and it's so hard to watch them go through it.

[borzoimom]

Here try one of these http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/beha...haviorprob.htm
"

What causes dogs to bark excessively, whine and tear up the house when left alone?
Dogs are social animals and can act out destructive behaviors due to separation anxiety. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety exhibit undesirable behaviors associated with stress, fear and anxiety, such as restlessness, excessive whining and barking, and adult destructive chewing and house soiling.
What types of situations can cause a dog stress?

• Separation Anxiety: physical separation from the owner/pet guardian to whom it is attached.
• New People/Things: moving or major changes in the household, remodeling or redecorating, new pieces of furniture.
• Fear/Phobias: thunderstorms, lightening, fireworks.
• Temporary changes: being transported, hospitalized or boarded.

What is D.A.P.™?
Developed for pet owners by veterinarians, D.A.P.™ (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) mimics the properties of the natural pheromones of the lactating female. Within three to five days after giving birth, the female generates pheromones that give their puppies a sense of well-being and reassurance, known as appeasing pheromones.
How is D.A.P.™ used?
D.A.P.™ is an easy-to-use "plug-in" diffuser that consists of an electrical plug-in unit and disposable (30-day) bottle that will deliver the pheromone 24 hours a day. It continuously releases the active ingredient into the dog's environment and allows trouble-free treatment in a 650-square-foot area for approximately four weeks.
How can D.A.P.™ calm dogs in stressful situations?
Pheromones are picked up and detected by an animal's sense of smell producing specific responses. By replicating this signal of comfort, D.A.P.™ helps alleviate fear and stress related signs in the puppy and adult dog. How long should D.A.P.™ be used?
To address behavior caused by temporary events, plug the diffuser in for 30 days. Each vial attached to a diffuser lasts approximately four weeks. Repeat as necessary. "

Also gives link where you can buy one.

[SapheraGirl]

Itsapyr - Do you cover the crate or leave it open. In the past we've always covered the crates but, to be honest, we don't use a crate with Saphera. She never liked it and there was really no need for it. However, if it makes her feel safe, I'd be more than happy to give it a try again.

Mez - Um, if anyone in the house is going to get stoned, it would be me. ROFL

Borzoi (okay, I so wanted to call you anteater but I refrained. LOL) - I've never heard of DAP until I read it on another thread here. I'm going to definitely look into it.

Anyone else use DAP? If so, have you had success with it?

[ALDOGMOM]

I lived with a thunder phobic dog for 10 plus years. It is not fun especially when you live in the coastal south where we have severe storms almost every day in the spring, summer and fall.

I tried everything that anyone suggested - Rescue Remedy, counter-conditioning using CD's, classical music, lavender, t-shirts, DAP...you name it - I tried it. Nothing worked except Acepromazine and Valium. Prescription medications that by the way, create their own set of problems (i.e. dosing and timing)

She knew when a storm was coming long before we did...Many times before it even showed up on the radar.

I would give you the same suggestion I gave Pam - use a covered crate...Give her a "safe place" to go when she gets scared...Door closed.

The biggest mistake I made with Charlotte was trying to console her when she was so frightened...After hers got worse and worse - every trainer/behaviorist I spoke with told me that had been a mistake.

Give her a safe place, a yummy treat and walk away...It's very hard to do...But if you don't - you are just reinforcing the behavior..

Good luck.

[borzoimom]

We used with Femka the most prior to knowing about the DAP was a lavendar/lemon air freshener or candle. Lavendar is calming and lemon covers the musk smell of a scared dog. Also it helped to rub her a bit with a dryer anti static sheet too. Carpeted areas also helped with the vibrations of thunder.

[borzoimom]

Itsapyr - Do you cover the crate or leave it open. In the past we've always covered the crates but, to be honest, we don't use a crate with Saphera. She never liked it and there was really no need for it. However, if it makes her feel safe, I'd be more than happy to give it a try again.

Mez - Um, if anyone in the house is going to get stoned, it would be me. ROFL

Borzoi (okay, I so wanted to call you anteater but I refrained. LOL) - I've never heard of DAP until I read it on another thread here. I'm going to definitely look into it.

Anyone else use DAP? If so, have you had success with it?

I have several friends who use this. While the others reported great results, One has shelties that would even have seizures as fear of storms was so bad. If it helps with that situation, and certainly did amazingly (!), then that says alot for the use of the products.
I did not find out about them until about a couple of weeks after Femka died. Had she been alive after discovering about the product, I would have gotton one for her for sure!

( oh and you can't call us anteaters as the length of their heads is also the length of the neck.. lol ...)

[sam.i.am]

My Daisy was extremely storm-phobic. This got worse throughout her life, which is what they say happens with a dog's phobias.

Nothing worked for Daisy. I made the mistake of consoling her at first and this did reinforce her fears. I used to just put her on my lap (all 115 lbs of her) and hug her tightly. She liked that, but it did not make her feel secure for the long-run. Giving her a spot wedged between the coffee table and the couch UNDER a blanket (like a fort) was the best for her. I turned on the lights in the room so that lightening did not make flashes. I turned on the TV and just tried to ride the storms out.

Those shirts are supposed to help. There are a couple of them. One of them is supposed to help dissipate the static. There are threads on them here.

DAP helped Oliver with something else, so it may be worth a shot for the thunder? Since it's safe it cannot hurt. It does seem to be soothing, but may not be helpful if it's a severe issue.

[mezmerelda]

I've tried DAP. It didn't help Beowulf. And I agree, giving yourself some sort of medication, holistic or other, is probably a great idea. I've done that too, and sometimes I would just sleep through his crying. But I didn't want him to be upset. We didn't try crating him specifically, but he is never the one that tries to cower under something. He likes to sit out in the open. Cuddling hasn't really worked with B either. He gets too nervous and moves away. Someone also mentioned rubbing a dryer sheet over them, but then someone else mentioned it's toxic. I tried it with an organic sheet, hoping the lack of nasty chemicals would get rid of the toxicity, but it didn't help at all.

The Ace has been great, but as Kim mentioned, timing is key. There have been a few times that we've been too late and it either hasn't worked, or it takes a larger dose to work. Then he's just stoned for much longer. It got to the point over the summer that if I thought there was going to be a bad storm overnight, I'd give him 1 pill, which is a half dose for him, before bed. Unfortunately, that led to a couple of occasions when he was medicated for no reason. But I'd rather that than having him be so freaked out, especially at his age.

[SapheraGirl]

The biggest mistake I made with Charlotte was trying to console her when she was so frightened...After hers got worse and worse - every trainer/behaviorist I spoke with told me that had been a mistake.

In theory, you are absolutely correct. In practice, it tugs at my heartstrings to see her suffer in fear. I like the idea of giving her a safe place to "hide". At least if she has that, I can pet her without reinforcing that storms are to be feared.

[SapheraGirl]

I have several friends who use this. While the others reported great results, One has shelties that would even have seizures as fear of storms was so bad. If it helps with that situation, and certainly did amazingly (!), then that says alot for the use of the products.
I did not find out about them until about a couple of weeks after Femka died. Had she been alive after discovering about the product, I would have gotton one for her for sure!

( oh and you can't call us anteaters as the length of their heads is also the length of the neck.. lol ...)

I like the idea of this because is may help and certainly can't hurt.

((ROFL - at the anteater comment))

[moondog]

Bummer, sorry she and you are dealing with this! I have no advice just wanted to say I hope you find something that works!!! .........and

Mez - Um, if anyone in the house is going to get stoned, it would be me. ROFL

....made me lol

[SapheraGirl]

I turned on the lights in the room so that lightening did not make flashes. I turned on the TV and just tried to ride the storms out.

I need my beauty sleep way too much for the light and TV to be on so, I'm just going to send Saphera to your house durig the stormy season. Is that a problem for you?

[mezmerelda]

You can always send her to me. She and Beowulf can enable each other.

[sam.i.am]

I need my beauty sleep way too much for the light and TV to be on so, I'm just going to send Saphera to your house durig the stormy season. Is that a problem for you?

Sure, I'll take her. I've missed staying up all night during storms season!