TheShermanator
Posts:277
 | | 07/17/2007 5:05 AM |
 Alert | Sherman had severe anxiety last night. <img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/sad.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Sad' align='absmiddle'> He has NEVER been anxious during storms before. He was panting, pacing, and would not settle down. I continued to pet him, and pet him, trying to settle him down. Last night he curled up in a tight ball next to my side of the bed (which is closer to the wall, so I can't even fit one of his beds there.) After I turned out the lights, he kept walking back to his bed, and then walking back to my side of the bed, (something he NEVER does.) Finally, I moved our bed a little, and barely fit one of his beds on my side of the bed, Sherman promptly curled up on it, and didn't move all night.
I have never seen that anxiety, so I've never paid attention how to alleviate storm-related stress. What can I do to help him in the next storm? | |
Formerly known as 'greytxracers'
"My greyhound is smarter than your honor student"
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M&M
Posts:0
| | 07/17/2007 7:20 AM |
Alert | I am sorry Sherman had such a rough night. I am not sure what you can do for such a thing. The storms role in so quick and sometimes they are unexpected. When the storms start I open my blinds and put my cats in the windows. This calms the little one, because she can see what is going on.
I hope Sherman feels better today, maybe he will get used to it. Good luck | | | |
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Fritzydoodle
Posts:958
| | 07/17/2007 7:27 AM |
Alert | | My 10 year old dog does her best to crawl under my bed during storms. And considering she's 80+ pounds of Malinois- that isn't going to happen. She's such a weinie when it comes to thunder and lightning. Rain - no problem as long as she doesn't have to go out in it. She'll hold it for hours to avoid going outside! One BOOM and she's quivering jello. | |
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Tempting Fait1
Posts:728
| | 07/17/2007 8:03 AM |
Alert | I googled "storm related stess in dogs" and came up with a couple of things. One was a study that showed dogs in a multi-dog house have less stress.
The other was here: http://www.geocities.com/jetflair/thunderstorms.html I found this article interesting. One thing it said to do was what you did, find where they want to go and put a bed there for them and let them be there. Another suggest was to wipe the dog down with a dryer sheet to reduce static electricity, this made sense to me since I hate it when I'm full of static electricity and can imagine how bad it must feel to a dog that's covered with hair that's standing on end.
There are a few items on the market that are supposed to help--no clue if they do or not but a link to some of there is here: http://www.sitstay.com/store/health/anxiety.shtml
Hope some of this helps to calm the poor guy!! | |
The red head is BACK!! (and still mouthy)
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fantastic4
Posts:22
| | 07/17/2007 8:51 AM |
Alert | | My big puppy was cringing every time she saw lightning or heard thunder last night, and wouldn't go out her doggie door, so I took her out in the backyard with me to play. That relaxed her a lot, knowing that it wouldn't hurt her and I wasn't hiding from it either. | | | |
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Pet Social Worker
Posts:0
| | 07/17/2007 9:09 AM |
Alert | | I know people who will put their dogs in an enclosed, small room (bathroom or laundryroom) & turn the fan on so the dog can't hear the storm. Seems to work for those families, but probably not an option for all. If you're home, keep the TV or a radio louder than normal to drown out any storm sounds. | | | |
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TheShermanator
Posts:277
| | 07/17/2007 9:23 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Pet Social Worker on 07/17/2007 9:09 AM
I know people who will put their dogs in an enclosed, small room (bathroom or laundryroom) & turn the fan on so the dog can't hear the storm. Seems to work for those families, but probably not an option for all. If you're home, keep the TV or a radio louder than normal to drown out any storm sounds. </div>
Oh, man- they'd lose their minds if I put them in a small room.
Sherman's doing well today- like nothing ever happened. He's sleeping right now, dead to the world. I have just never seen him stressed like that before. Poor guy. I just felt so bad when Sherman kept standing next to my side of the bed, staring at me, after I turned out the lights to go to sleep. He NEVER does that. I wanted to let him jump up on the bed and snuggle. (But that's a no-no!)
He seemed okay when he slept on his bed next to me, and by this morning, he was fine.
Poor guy.
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Formerly known as 'greytxracers'
"My greyhound is smarter than your honor student"
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umtech
Posts:137
| | 07/17/2007 10:07 PM |
Alert | | Our dog Piper hates the storms, she is under the bed or is your shadow when you get up and go to another room and will not leave your side. Even trying to go to the bathroom is a chore with her in there with you. When we go to sleep she is right up in the bed as well under the covers if she can | | | |
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Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/17/2007 10:32 PM |
Alert | | This gives me a new appreciation for Kuma's love of storms. It can be a bit obnoxious since she runs around the house like crazy, litterally bouncing off the walls, until I take her out for a walk in the rain - even more so if there's thunder & lightening. The louder the thunder, the higher she jumps. It can drive me nuts, but I guess I'd rather have her excited and hyper wanting to go play in the rain than scared of it (although it would be nice if she would not get quite so excited that she bounces off the walls)! | | | |
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demonica
Posts:850
| | 07/17/2007 10:48 PM |
Alert | | my cow puppy got more upset by last night's storm than i have ever seen her before, as well. i wonder if there was some kinda weird pressure thing going on or something, cuz she is usually pretty chill about them. last night i was curled up in bed reading when it started, my little girl jumped up there with me and pressed herself to my side. when daddy got home though, she chilled right out though, started rough housing with him like they always do and really relaxed. she still wouldn't go outside though, even after the thunder and lightnening stopped. her poppa had to go out with her. | | | |
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lexmark
Posts:352
| | 07/17/2007 11:04 PM |
Alert | | My vet said its okay to give your dog 2-3 natural sleep aids to help with there anxiety and fear. My old dog would just panic in storms. But our new dog wouldnt stop playing in the rain last night It was cute. | |
Bye Bye Maricopa! | |
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TheShermanator
Posts:277
| | 07/18/2007 4:40 AM |
Alert | I was talking to JillyBean last night, and I kinda blew it too- I coddled him, and loved on him, and gave him attention, which I guess enabled that behavior. Whoops. I couldn't help myself. I just wanted to cuddle him. I should have not given the additional attention - I might have egged him on. Ooops.
But, I HAD to pull his bed next to mine. He was not sleeping, otherwise.
Last night, we were back to normal. <img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/smile.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Smile' align='absmiddle'> | |
Formerly known as 'greytxracers'
"My greyhound is smarter than your honor student"
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Tempting Fait1
Posts:728
| | 07/18/2007 7:17 AM |
Alert | That article I read said to try to comfort them but if it didn't work to not continue it, that it would reinforce the problem. It also said to see where they seemed most comfortable and put thier bed there (that would be beside your bed).
You might also try wiping him down with a dryer sheet, if static builds up it would make him pretty uncomfortable (bet someone would loan you some if you don't use them, I don't).
Hope he makes it through the next one OK. | |
The red head is BACK!! (and still mouthy)
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MommaToni
Posts:1045
| | 07/21/2007 12:25 PM |
Alert | My dogs Lilly is a total wimp when it comes to storms. She hates it all and will whine the whole time. The other dogs don;t mind it...they don't like the rain but just opt to stay inside when it's rainy.
Has anyone tried any relaxers for their animals? All natural ones only please | |
Ppppppbbbbbbssssssssssttttttttt! | |
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TC.
Posts:0
| | 07/21/2007 12:45 PM |
Alert | | M&M....I'm with you! The cats love to be able to look out and see what is going on. They are not at all freaked out by the storms. I guess it is a dog thing. | | | |
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njparks
Posts:201
| | 07/21/2007 3:32 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By MommaToni on 07/21/2007 12:25 PM
Has anyone tried any relaxers for their animals? All natural ones only please</div>
I've used Rescue Remedy. It works on some, not on others. It's a Bach Flower thing...worth a try. I find it at Whole Foods...not sure where else.
My dogs did NOT like the storm this morning. The noise got to them and they were all up and weird. I turned on the Weather Channel, LOUD, and promptly went back to sleep. I think it helped. | |
Nancy | |
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MommaToni
Posts:1045
| | 07/21/2007 7:39 PM |
Alert | | Rescue Remedy! That's so funny. I use that for my anxiety when it acts ups. I wasn't aware that it could be used on animals. I guess I never thought of that. | |
Ppppppbbbbbbssssssssssttttttttt! | |
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njparks
Posts:201
| | 07/21/2007 7:48 PM |
Alert | Glad I could help.
<smile> | |
Nancy | |
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