dog training tips and questions

[Gem99ultra]

Any suggestions for a dog that is petrified of thunderstorms? She is a 70 lb boxer (68%) mix and is easily scared though she has gotten a little more confident since we brought her home last January. She is about 15 months old. We have had other dogs that were nervous during a storm but none were this bad. If a storm is happening or in the forecast I keep lights on to try to minimize lightning flashes. Thunder especially if the house shakes is the worst for her.

We have the same problem with our little 10# mix-breed family member In addition to thunderstorms she heads to the back door even if she hears a gun shot off in the distance. Just about any unusual loud noise puts her in a panic.

Nothing I've done so far has resolved that problem, so if someone does have a solution, I'm all ears and willing to give it a try.

 

[alexpops]

There are times in a pups life where they are particularly impressionable & fears can get embedded for life. I think it's at 6 weeks & 10-12 weeks. We had a 100# male german shepherd that wasn't afraid of anything ... EXCEPT thunderstorms ... lasted his whole life. Other dogs ... no big deal. With him, we used to let him into the kitchen 1/2 bathroom & he'd tuck himself between the toilet & wall & wait out the storm. Same with a Bassett Hound we had ... Storms & fireworks, basically he found a hallway he'd hide in till it was over. Best I've found is let them find a place they feel safe & let them hang there without making a big deal about it & they "may" get over it in time. The Bassett improved after a few years, but the Shepherd never did. They sell "thundershirts" which are supposed to help, but I never used them. In a worst case scenario, you can have your vet give you tranquilizers for when it gets really bad -- tornado warnings extended thunderstorm forecasts (they regularly do that at 4th of July). With the tranquilizers it helps to give before they are panicky as they may not eat whatever you wrap it in.

 

[Eagle1]

My 140# Karakachan had to be under my feet or tucked next to me in bed for thunder. Same dog would face off to any predator up to and including bears.
Others in the same pack always wanted out to fight the evil thunder and lightning.
One of his pups is the same way, needs a safe space the others in the pack right now just pay it no mind unless it is really close then they want out to make it leave.
Guns shots just mean pay attention.... always hunting season for something around here. Yote and hogs are year around.

 

[garry1p]

My 13lb Bichon barks at lightening, gunshots and fireworks as long as she is inside and feels safe.
When outside she heads for the door and as soon as she is inside she starts growling or barking at the sound.

 

[1 Old Man]

Our GS pays no attention to gunshots or fireworks. But a thunderstorm
with that low rumbling and vibration sends her under the dining room table.
If it's just rain, she has no issue with getting wet. Crazy to watch her chase off
a yote or uninvited guest, but then freak out at times over the weather.
Reassuring voice, petting, being positive and calm......doesn't seem to help.
I think it was a learned behavior or event that happened before she came to
live with us.
I'm not going to drug my dog. I'll sit up with her during a storm if need be.
Really hoping one of the "dog whisper" guys comes up with a solution. Seems
it affects many different breeds, large & small.