Thunderstorms are here and Bailey is NOT happy!

[chandracz]

Thunderstorms are here and Bailey is NOT happy! Does anyone else have a problem with this? I feel sooooooooooooooo bad. I want to pick him up and cuddle him and tell him it's ok but I've heard that only feeds into the emotions. If I tell him to stay he will for a few minutes but he's shaking vigorously and crying. All he wants to do is get up and pace. Any suggestions?

[jjohnson86]

I'm no expert but I've heard of giving a dog a "safe place" such as a doggie bed or their favorite pillow or blanket and putting them in it every time they get scared or anxous about something. Once they are there and you manage to help calm them down you're supposed to reward them for being calm every few minutes for as long as they stay calm until they are no longer scared. However, this method sounds as if it would take more than one thunderstorm to actually work. I don't know of anything that helps right off the bat, sorry. Some people actually use thunderstorm recordings using the above method and have helped their dog overcome their fear entirely.

[yorkieusa]

Another thing you could try is to attempt to get his mind off of it by playing with him. Play ball, whatever is his favorite thing right now. Just tell him, "It's all right," whenever he shows any fear over anything. Eventually, he should understand what you mean when you say that and then relax.

[chandracz]

Good idea!

Originally Posted by jjohnson86

I'm no expert but I've heard of giving a dog a "safe place" such as a doggie bed or their favorite pillow or blanket and putting them in it every time they get scared or anxous about something. Once they are there and you manage to help calm them down you're supposed to reward them for being calm every few minutes for as long as they stay calm until they are no longer scared. However, this method sounds as if it would take more than one thunderstorm to actually work. I don't know of anything that helps right off the bat, sorry. Some people actually use thunderstorm recordings using the above method and have helped their dog overcome their fear entirely.

[chandracz]

I'll have to try that because when he starts playing ball he doesn't concentrate on anything else!!! I just feel so helpless and it scares me when he's alone (although that's virtually never). I usually have SOMEONE with him...

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Another thing you could try is to attempt to get his mind off of it by playing with him. Play ball, whatever is his favorite thing right now. Just tell him, "It's all right," whenever he shows any fear over anything. Eventually, he should understand what you mean when you say that and then relax.

[QuickSilver]

Sometimes the electricity bothers them. Putting tight sweater on him can help, or just rubbing him with an anti-static dryer sheet.

[chandracz]

I'll try out the sweater but I don't use dryer sheets. I could borrow one to try it though!

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Sometimes the electricity bothers them. Putting tight sweater on him can help, or just rubbing him with an anti-static dryer sheet.

[ArabellasMom]

I live in Illinois too and my puppy was none to happy about the "moving furniture" the big man upstairs was doing. We were sound asleep and "BOOM."
The next thing I know Arabella has jumped across the room and turned into Kung Fu Panda. I kept telling her that she was a good girl for letting me know there was a big noise but she was having none of it. I tried to pick her up but she was doing the head weave like a boxer. She calmed down after awhile and layed down on my pillow. She'd pop up every once in a while to check out the room to make sure no boogy men were coming.

You are right not to baby them. Distraction I think is the key to getting them through storms.

[ziggy925]

I'm still waiting to see what Ruger does. So far he hasn't been bothered at all by fireworks or avalanche bombs.

Anyway, if dogs are derived from wolves, why are they afraid of thunder? I don't get it.

Also, I don't see anything wrong with holding your dog when he/she's afraid. I like to be held when I'm afraid.

[CherriePie]

So sorry about Baily! My little Cherrie is like that too......Well, you're right about one thing, don't cuddle him, as much as you want to, don't. It just feeds into telling him that something is wrong. Just let him calm down on his own. Again, sorry. I know how that is....





I Cherrie!!!

[vbayne]

Also, I don't see anything wrong with holding your dog when he/she's afraid. I like to be held when I'm afraid.

Me either!!

BJ, my first yorkie, was very afraid of storms, but the minute I picked him up for a cuddle he calmed right down....

With Gabby, she barks, God thunders, she barks, etc.....

Little Tyler is so layed back, he doesn't even care......

[StacyDufner]

Arabellasmom I totally can picture this lil kung fu yorkie. . My little tiny Bailey doesn't like it either. She hides her head under whatever she can.

[mimimomo]

Poor Bailey. Mimi is the only one here that is scared of thunderstorms. Even when she hears thunder on TV she starts shaking & leaves the room lol! She likes huddling in the bathroom, but I feel so bad for her I pick her up & try to comfort her, but she'll want down. I've noticed her fear has lessened, hopefully Bailey will outgrow it too.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Hot Rod doesn't like thunderstorms either. Every night I pull a pillow across me and Hot Rod will jump up on it and gnaw on his bully or lamb til he falls asleep so when it thundering, I pull the pillow out and just start stroking and scratching him. I guess this is his safe place.

[luvfla]

Sophie doesn't even like rain! Her anger-management therapist said not to coddle her but to distract her. I do, like others have said, put a tee shirt on her & turn on the tv. She lies on the floor and settles down.