For years, my dog Jack never noticed thunderstorms. Tommy, however, has always been horribly afraid, to the point that I have to drug him.
My guess is Tonmy developed his because he was dog chained outside. Until I came along. When I found him, he didn't have a doghouse, so that meant he had nowhere to hide from the frightening lightening followed by the thunder that sometimes shakes the ground.
In addition to taking Benydryl and Xanax, we have made him a comfy cave in the closet. He can get in there on his dog bed. It's dark and safe to him.
If the storm is severe, he self soothes by closing the bedroom door, then scratch it until we open it again. He does it over and over
He doesn't close It quietly. He uses his paws and head to get it close to closed, then WHAM!
He also goes into the bathroom and wedges his 100-pound self behind the toilet.
As for Jack, medicine doesn't affect him. I've given him the sam medicine I give Tommy. No change in the fear. I even tried acepromizine, which is a knock-out drug I hate, but I'm desperate to get him through it. Again, it just leaves him panting and anxious.
if we are home his 98-pound, yellow self climbs in our lap or we get in a bed with him so he can cuddle as close as he can be.
Today, I went home at lunch. All the other dogs were fine. Tommy was sound asleep on the couch. Jack was hiding in the bath tub. He was so relieved when I came home and so sad when I went back to work.
Do you have a storm phobic dog? Tell me about it and if you've found a way to soothe your pet.
My guess is Tonmy developed his because he was dog chained outside. Until I came along. When I found him, he didn't have a doghouse, so that meant he had nowhere to hide from the frightening lightening followed by the thunder that sometimes shakes the ground.
In addition to taking Benydryl and Xanax, we have made him a comfy cave in the closet. He can get in there on his dog bed. It's dark and safe to him.
If the storm is severe, he self soothes by closing the bedroom door, then scratch it until we open it again. He does it over and over
He doesn't close It quietly. He uses his paws and head to get it close to closed, then WHAM!
He also goes into the bathroom and wedges his 100-pound self behind the toilet.
As for Jack, medicine doesn't affect him. I've given him the sam medicine I give Tommy. No change in the fear. I even tried acepromizine, which is a knock-out drug I hate, but I'm desperate to get him through it. Again, it just leaves him panting and anxious.
if we are home his 98-pound, yellow self climbs in our lap or we get in a bed with him so he can cuddle as close as he can be.
Today, I went home at lunch. All the other dogs were fine. Tommy was sound asleep on the couch. Jack was hiding in the bath tub. He was so relieved when I came home and so sad when I went back to work.
Do you have a storm phobic dog? Tell me about it and if you've found a way to soothe your pet.
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