Stormy Weather: or Misbehaving Dogs During Storms and the 4th of July

June is usually the start of storm season in many parts of the country. Statistically, the number of dogs left in animal shelters increases immediately after a thunderstorm, possibly because owners are unprepared to deal with pets traumatized by thunder and lightning. In this article, I discuss the causes and solutions for dogs that react poorly to storms and loud sounds like firecrackers.

According to Dr. Nancy Dreschel, a veterinarian who conducted a study on storm anxiety in dogs, between 15% and 30% of dogs are affected by fear of thunderstorms; The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association also reported that herding dogs, such as collies and German shepherds, and bloodhounds, such as beagles and basset hounds, appear to be more likely to develop a phobia of thunderstorms than other dogs. The phobia is also common in sporting and working breeds.

The study suggests that this trend can be explained in terms of the dogs’ genetics. For example, herding dogs have been bred to react quickly to stimuli, such as a calf walking away from the herd, but not to be aggressive. Herding dogs may have a strong reaction to the initial noises and flashes of a storm, but repress any aggressive responses that cause anxiety. Shelter dogs seem to have a higher incidence of storm phobia, perhaps due to feelings of insecurity or antecedent experiences of fear. Dogs that have separation anxiety are also more likely to have noise and thunderstorm phobias.

But can the fear of storms be more related to the environment than we think? Thunderstorms cause a change in air pressure that can be painful to a dog’s ears. An excellent guide to understanding the importance of sound to your dog’s being is the book “Through a Dog’s Ear.” Electricity in the air can also be a major factor in dog storm phobia, as well as the change in the smell of the air that a dog detects with his keen sense of smell.

Could thunderstorms be even scarier for a dog that has been e-collar trained or spooked by static discharge in everyday life? There are more questions about the effect of electricity on dogs than there are answers, but addressing the issue is in the best interest of the dog and owner, as the fear of thunderstorms could develop into a phobia leading to fear of anything associated with the storms: the sound. of firecrackers, shots and even the sound of birds.

So what are the best ways to deal with a dog that is afraid of the storm? In the following paragraphs I am going to launch a wide range of ideas; Consider which ones seem to work for your dog, your dog’s lifestyle and, as always, discuss your options with your dog’s veterinarian.

A Penn State study of pure and mixed breeds measured levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in storm-phobic dogs and found that dogs in multi-dog households were less fearful than dogs in single-dog households. dog. So maybe you want to add another dog to your household.

Your own behavior is critical to helping a storm-phobic dog; If you yourself are nervous during a storm, this can be transferred to your dog. Stay upbeat and in charge. Never yell at, punish, or try to restrain a terrified dog; it never helps and only increases his terror. You should also not comfort the dog because he will interpret it as a confirmation that there really is something to fear. Petting or comforting is really positive reinforcement for undesirable behavior, and even a benign “Okay” can give the wrong signal.

Changing the dog’s environment during the storm (or the 4th of July) can reduce the level of anxiety or make the dog less self-conscious about it. “White noise” such as a fan or air conditioner can help block out some noise, as can a TV or radio. Allowing the pet access to an area or room without exterior walls or windows can lower the noise level. Some pets seek the safety of a bathtub or shower during a storm, and some experts hypothesize that a pet may feel less static if it’s on tile or porcelain. Confinement can make your dog feel more secure when he is in a smaller space: Cover the crate with a blanket and leave the door open.

Harp music can also be an answer. That’s right – harp. Harp therapy has attracted the interest of veterinarians and animal behaviorists who believe that the vibrations of the harp strings emit overtones, some inaudible to the human ear. Harmonic overtones are suspected to work at the cellular level and reduce stress levels even in deaf animals that seem to relax when they feel the vibrations. Dogs must listen to at least three minutes of music for it to take effect. Contact me for more information on finding the type of harp music that has been effective with storm-phobic dogs.

Another way to alter the dog’s environment during a storm? Play! Depending on the dog’s level of anxiety, sometimes simply distracting the dog may be the best course of action. Sing songs, play with toys that make sounds or talk, yawn repeatedly, and make big, loud, exaggerated yawns that your dog will see and respond to. Exercise the dog as much as you can to try to tire him out. Help your dog associate thunder with wonderful playtime!

Female dogs secrete pheromones that comfort nursing puppies and have a similar calming effect on adult dogs. Some believe that releasing these pheromones into a dog’s environment calms him down during a storm, so look for something called the DAP Dog Calming Pheromone Electric Diffuser which, as the name implies, diffuses this scent into the air at just the right levels.

Hug Therapy includes “body wraps” that seem to calm and focus some anxious and stressed dogs. Neurobiologists believe that trauma can damage nerve receptors, leading to exaggerated responses to stimuli. By applying constant pressure, a wrap provides a calming stimulus that causes the receptors to adapt and modify their thresholds cumulatively. Or consider wearing the Anxiety Wrap, a strong, stretchy vest that hugs the torso like a stocking and comes in a variety of sizes. This item is said to work so well that it has been used successfully for separation anxiety, motion sickness, hyperactivity, and many other behavioral quirks. Search it on the internet.

There’s a product called “Mutt Muffs,” a “headband that fits over dogs’ ears” that’s made from the same eosin foam used in high-end commercial noise-canceling headphones. With a proper fit, a dog can’t shake it off. ThunderBand works the same way, but includes dog-friendly “earplugs” and a comforting, cozy head wrap. Both products work by incorporating “hug” therapy with noise reduction.

Some dog owners find that homeopathic remedies can be helpful, such as Phosphorous PHUS 30C, available at health food stores. This is a natural compound used for fear of thunder or loud noises and the typical protocol is to drop 3-5 pellets into the back of the dog’s throat (do not touch the pellets with your hand) every fifteen minutes until you start to see results. Then it stops. If Phosphorous doesn’t seem to work, during the next storm try Aconitum Napellus 30C and administer in the same way. Homeopathic practitioners point out that a remedy will either work or not, but it will not harm the dog or cause any side effects. Either way, see your vet.

Speaking personally, I have never found flower remedies to be very effective in calming phobias or anxiety, but if you want to give it a try, Rescue Remedy, Calming Essence, or Five Flower Formula would be the starting point. Once again, search the Internet for Flower Essences.

An article in The Whole Dog Journal reports that one of the most effective treatments for thunderstorm phobia is melatonin, an over-the-counter hormone that humans use to treat insomnia. Melatonin is sold in capsules and tablets in health food stores, pharmacies, and some supermarkets. It’s important to read melatonin bottle labels carefully, as some are laced with herbs or nutrients that may not be safe for dogs. It may not be suitable for your dog if he has autoimmune disease or severe liver or kidney disease and ALWAYS check with your veterinarian before giving any medication.

Our least favorite remedy is also the only solution for some dogs: pharmaceutical medication, and should NEVER be given without consulting your vet. Two traditionally used tranquilizers are Acepromazine and Valium. “Ace” is classified as a major tranquilizer and is a very strong drug that in effective doses produces severe sedation and incoordination. Valium, on the other hand, may not be strong enough to block severe phobic responses and is so short-acting that it may not be effective for afternoon thunderstorms when given by working homeowners in the morning.

One drug that appears to offer promising results in dogs with mild (not severe) symptoms is buspirone, while the newer drug of choice is clomipramine (Clomicalm), which has been approved by the FDA to treat separation anxiety in dogs. This is closely related to amitriptyline, a drug that has shown beneficial results in dogs with thunder phobia. Other medications you should consult your veterinarian about include: alprazolam (Xanax), amitriptyline (Elavil), buspirone (Buspar), clomipramine (Clomicalm), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), fluoxetine (Prozac), Inderal paroxetine ( Paxil) and
Tranxene-SD. Just remember: NEVER EVER EVER administer any medication without first consulting your veterinarian. Did I say NEVER?

None of the above solutions will help you much if your phobic dog is a show dog, since you can’t drug him, wrap him in a t-shirt, or play harp music for him in the ring. And that’s why of all the solutions I’ve mentioned so far, I think behavior modification, whether it’s through desensitization or counterconditioning, is the best long-term solution for all dogs, whether they’re show dogs or addicted to television.

Desensitization is a process by which an anxiety-producing stimulus, in this case thunder, is presented so subtly that it does not elicit a fear response. Using a recording of the sound, say thunder, very gradually increase the volume of the sound but always keep it below the fear producing threshold. Over time, the volume increases. You can find instructions on how to desensitize a dog on the Internet; Airedale owner Dale Burrier also posted a fun approach to desensitizing a dog to using a paper bag. The internet and high-end pet shows are also places where you’ll find CDs and audio tracks of common noises like thunder, firecrackers, trucks, wind, etc.

Counterconditioning is when a negative stimulus (firecrackers or thunderstorms) can be associated with a positive event. For example, the only time the pet gets her favorite treat, game, or toy is just before and during a thunderstorm.

Together, you and your dog can overcome storm phobia, as long as you have the patience and compassion to find the best approach for your dog.