I
usually don’t watch the local news, so I don’t see what the weather is going
to be for the day, Elaine might share it, but usually I don’t care and will wait to
see what happens for the day, but some of my dogs do know something is in the air. It can be a warm sunny day and the sky is clear, the wind has a slight breeze but trouble is in the air according to some
of the dogs. All of a sudden, I see Shepp,
his ears are pinned back and he has “that” look on his face and I know it is
coming. Even though there is not a sound
in the air or a dark cloud anywhere to be seen, Shepp will dart from shelter to
shelter, looking for places to hide because he senses a storm is coming. He
will literally zone out, not seeing anything or hearing a word, he’s in
another world.
I
don’t know why some dogs are frightened of storms but some of mine are
uncomfortable but some are terrified and one of our early dogs was
defiant. For some time, “Max” would get
restless and we would try to console him but he wouldn't have any of it. Once we put him in the house and we thought
he was going to go crazy because he wanted out.
 |
| Max and Molly as a pup... |
It was a real summer downpour with lots of thunder and lighting and off Max went, running on the dam of the lake and barking at the sky. He would run as hard as he could, back and
forth, time after time. When he was
exhausted, he would just sit in the pouring rain and look at the heavens and bark. After it cleared, Max would come back to the
house and sleep, he was now content, he had won and was happy.
Many
dogs are afraid of thunder simply because they don't understand what it is.
Dogs hear this loud noise and perceive it as something threatening and it can come up at any time.
 |
| Headed toward our house a few years ago... |
According
to Dr. Lauren Brickman, “some
dogs try to go under tables, in bathtubs, or in any other places that make them
feel secure. It is OK to allow them to do this.
It is important, however, not to try to soothe your pet too much. Doing
so can actually encourage his fear if he senses any insecurity in your voice. During a thunderstorm, try to provide a
background noise for your dog, such as TV or radio. This may help to somewhat
drown out the noise of the thunder. You can also try to get your dog’s mind off
the storm by playing with him. There are
some dogs that require sedation when there is a storm. Consult your
veterinarian so that they can prescribe something to calm your dog during a
storm.”
Shepp
once lived in Florida and when he moved back home, his owner brought his “storm
pills” which he needed nearly every day because of the daily storms. There has been a lot of discussion on this
matter but some think it’s just related to storms. Shepp will even jump from a deep sleep if a low noise comes from the television.
He’s a happy little chap when the weather is clear but he is my weather
guide.
Just
two nights ago, a thunderstorm rolled through and Shepp discovered that an open
shower door is his new haven. We've tried many things, but on the first distance noise or change, he’s in the zone…
Most
of the other dogs are fine except Dutchess.
She isn't too bad but she will always find me and give that "Lauren
Bacall" look as if to say “keep me safe and hold me” which I do.
 |
| Not to be confused, this is Dutchess... |
What You Can Do to Help
Create a Safe Place: Try to create a safe place for
your dog to go to when she hears the noises that frighten her. But remember,
this must be a safe location from her perspective, not yours. Notice where she
goes, or tries to go, when she's frightened, and if at all possible, give her
access to that place. If she's trying to get under your bed, give her access to
your bedroom.
You can also create a "hidey hole" that
is dark, small, and shielded from the frightening sound as much as possible.
Encourage her to go there when you're home and the thunder or other noise
occurs. Consider using a fan or radio near the spot to help block out the
sound. Feed her in that location and help your dog associate that spot with
other "good things" happening to her there. She must be able to come
and go from this location freely. Confining her in the "hidey hole"
when she doesn't want to be there will only cause more problems. The "safe
place" approach may work with some dogs, but not all. Some dogs are
motivated to move and be active when frightened and "hiding out"
won't help them feel less fearful.
The weather forecast I use... Ken
The weather forecast I use... Ken
See
you next week but follow us today on Facebook
