My dog has panic attacks when it thunders?
Currently we give him a seditive called Ace. Are there any other ways to calm him during a thunderstorm? He panics and knocks things down, tries to jump out of the windows, pants, shakes etc.
You can do things to try and comfort your dog. My dog gets very nervous whenever there it thunders. They get confused by the loud noises, not knowing what it is, plus with the rain, they get scared.
The best thing you can do for them, is to comfort them. If he is too big to hold, you can do what you can to get him to lay down and try laying with him, petting him, holding and talking to him. Your voice is the best thing for him to hear and comfort him. Even try wrapping him in a blanket, whatever you can do to make your dog feel safe.
Even try turning on the television or radio, to create noise to distract or muffle the sounds of thunder.
You may need to even keep him on a leash indoors while it thunders, to keep him close to you. Also, it will help keep him from trying to destroy things or hurt himself.
It will take some time and patience, but your dog will calm down eventually. He will learn to know that he is safe with you, and you are there to comfort him when he gets scared.
Best of luck to your dog. Hope I helped.
Comments
Comment from wonderwoman1213
Time January 19, 2010 at 1:39 am
There are other sedatives that may be better. Ace (Acepromazine) does not relieve anxiety it only makes them less reactive. Diazepam or Xanax work very well for thunderstorms. But many veterinarians are less likely to prescribe them due to the potential for owner drug abuse.
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Comment from Ash C
Time January 19, 2010 at 2:18 am
We have a dog like that and when we know a storm is coming we will give her a sedative or a benadryl to calm her, also she loves to be with us so we started to sit outside during the storms in our screened in porch and she will venture out there with us she still is nervous but we sit with her and soothe her and talk to her and not make it a big deal and she has learned to calm down some, its a slow process, but with every storm she is getting a little better. If your dog trusts you enough then this might work. Let them see you are not scared and you are ok and maybe he will follow. Good luck!
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A dog trainer advised us to do this.
Comment from Rae
Time January 19, 2010 at 2:38 am
Maybe he just needs somewhere to hide. Allow him to go under your bed. Don’t corner him because hen he will feel even more afraid. Try giving him treats before the storm to get him to calm down a little bit. The sedative is probably a good idea so that he doesn’t get too anxious. Unless you exposed him to storms while he was a puppy and made it fun by giving them extra attention during them there is nothing else that can be done.
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Comment from Kelsey
Time January 19, 2010 at 2:49 am
Does he like to play ball or tug-of-war? If he does then try to keep him focused on playing instead of the thunder. Soon he should learn that thunder is good and its a time for playing. Good luck!
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Comment from losvoodoo
Time January 19, 2010 at 3:36 am
Ive had dogs like this. Be the example for your dog. Big sound: react, calm down, and reassure your pet. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Speak normally, pet, scratch, soothe with your voice but not a lot. Act as if nothing is wrong with the thunder. Your dog will eventually calm down and understand that the change in the weather is just a change and he is safe!
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Comment from Kim
Time January 19, 2010 at 4:17 am
It is a very tense time for all animals when there is a thunderstorm. I have a hunting dog that has no problems being around shotguns during hunting season, but when a storm rolls through she panics and shakes while trying to get into my house. I do keep a bottle of sedatives for her for events like the 4th of July when she needs a relaxant.
The only way that I can keep her calm without drugs is sitting with her and talking to her. If it is a really bad storm I do let her in the house and talk to her and pet her. I have seen a lot of animals brought into the Vet office where I work who have been left outside during a storm that have hurt themselves by climbing and even breaking down fences. The only way that I know to calm down a dog is to sit close to them and reassure them that they will be okay or giving them a relaxant or sedative. Talk to your Vet and see what they might recommend.
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Comment from Kara S
Time January 19, 2010 at 4:48 am
You can do things to try and comfort your dog. My dog gets very nervous whenever there it thunders. They get confused by the loud noises, not knowing what it is, plus with the rain, they get scared.
The best thing you can do for them, is to comfort them. If he is too big to hold, you can do what you can to get him to lay down and try laying with him, petting him, holding and talking to him. Your voice is the best thing for him to hear and comfort him. Even try wrapping him in a blanket, whatever you can do to make your dog feel safe.
Even try turning on the television or radio, to create noise to distract or muffle the sounds of thunder.
You may need to even keep him on a leash indoors while it thunders, to keep him close to you. Also, it will help keep him from trying to destroy things or hurt himself.
It will take some time and patience, but your dog will calm down eventually. He will learn to know that he is safe with you, and you are there to comfort him when he gets scared.
Best of luck to your dog. Hope I helped.
References :
Comment from Fields of Gold
Time January 19, 2010 at 5:15 am
Try giving him 5 squirts of Rescue Remedy (Dr. Bach’s Flower Remedy), which can be purchased at most Pharmacists or Health Shops, in his mouth at the onset of the Storm and rub a tiny drop of pure Lavender Oil on the bridge of his nose, taking care not to get it anywhere near his eyes.
I do this with one of my Golden who hates thunder and it works for her. It completely relaxes the dog and she has been known to snore through a thunderstorm whereas beforehand she was a quivering wreck at the first clap of thunder.
Worth a try!
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Golden Retriever Breeder 36 yrs experience
Own 8 Goldens & 1 Springer
Comment from Jenna D.
Time January 19, 2010 at 12:56 am
D.A.P. It is a plug in that releases Pheromones in the air and relaxes anxiety. They also make a spray. You can get it from you vet. We use it at our hospital its amazing.
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