Storm phobia- surprise remedy

[Nikki+2]

Uh ohhh, the pressure is on! I have my fingers crossed it works for y'all!

[TatumsMom]

That is really cool! Tatum doesn't have an issue with storms but I bet you've given a lot of other dog owners something to really think about. Makes sense to me and I hope it works for those who've said they're going to try it.

[chandracz]

This seems almost too good to be true, but I'm willing to try anything. Bailey is afraid of the loud noises. If he hears one in the house, he will start shaking and immediately run to me....

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Uh ohhh, the pressure is on! I have my fingers crossed it works for y'all!

Your next task is to find a cure for fireworks...LOL

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

I hope it works for y'all. He did finally start shaking a bit and panting today (right after I posted, naturally) but was still is a huge difference. Usually he is a mess before I even know a storm is coming and for a little bit after it passes. Today he was fine until it started really thundering but was fine right after. He was upset for about 15 minutes where usually it would have been around 3 hours. He literally stops shaking as soon as the shirt is put on him.

I still might order this cape- Reduce dog anxiety! Wrap our cape around your dog. We have so many storms in the summer and it's so hard on the poor little guy. I'm going to give it a few more days to decide though because the tee shirt on it's own makes such a huge difference.

This site has pretty good information about storm phobia- Thunderstorm-phobia

I'm glad you found something that worked for you, that's an excellent link!

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by chandracz

Your next task is to find a cure for fireworks...LOL

That would be a God send for us too! If I had it to do over and was starting with a puppy I would definitely use the desensitization method. I so wish I had known about that when Spike was a puppy but he didn't develop his fears until he was a year or so old. Thankfully Gracie and Sugar don't have these fears but I would do it with every puppy I had just to be sure from now on. I had no idea how bad it could be.

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

That would be a God send for us too! If I had it to do over and was starting with a puppy I would definitely use the desensitization method. I so wish I had known about that when Spike was a puppy but he didn't develop his fears until he was a year or so old. Thankfully Gracie and Sugar don't have these fears but I would do it with every puppy I had just to be sure from now on. I had no idea how bad it could be.

What's the desensitization method? It is so bad! They shake and pant uncontrollobly! I'm so worried that he's going to have a heart attack one of these days.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by chandracz

What's the desensitization method? It is so bad! They shake and pant uncontrollobly! I'm so worried that he's going to have a heart attack one of these days.

Oh I know just how you feel- it's horrible. Spike won't even let you hold him and comfort him so it makes me feel even more helpless. I read about the desensitization method here- Thunderstorm-phobia but I think it would only work to prevent the phobias, not correct them.

[dogbert]

Wow, who would have thought it was so simple.

[jfalz73]

Well...how interesting! My Rat Terrier, Harley, is deathly afraid of storms. He knows when they are coming before we do and he also shakes, pants, and gets so upset. You cant comfort him either. I have drugs that the vet gave, but they don't seem to work for him. I also am afraid one day he will have a heart attack. I am going to try this for him. We are going to have storms the rest of the week (or so the prediction says). I hope it works for him too! Thanks for the post!

[dogbert]

Please watch your pets close during storms. Several years ago we had a Bichon who was not afraid of storms, but a tornado touched down a few miles away once and she was sick from it. She threw up and sadly aspirated some into her lungs. A week later we had to put her to sleep as she just couldn't breathe. The vet I had worked for did it and also did an autopsy. He called me to say I had done the right thing that only about 10% of her lung tissue was still pink and healthy.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

I read about the desensitization method here- Thunderstorm-phobia but I think it would only work to prevent the phobias, not correct them.

That's kind of a cool site. I wonder if the anxiety wrap coat they talk about would work? And maybe that's even part of the reason why you're seeing such a big difference when you put on a shirt. Maybe it's comforting too. Hmmm.

I know a groomer I go to places the dogs in a harnesslike contraption that supports their belly and suspends them slightly above the ground when he does their nails. He swears it relaxes them and they don't squirm at all.

If the T-shirt helps, I'm gonna get an anxiety wrap coat!

[luvfla]

Anxiety Wrap Coat....sounds like it right out of Harry Potter!

I wonder if the static from the storm is what they feel on them.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by luvfla

Anxiety Wrap Coat....sounds like it right out of Harry Potter!

I wonder if the static from the storm is what they feel on them.

Yeah, that's what Nikki was saying. But I'm sorta hoping the Harry Potter idea might be part of it.

[bchgirl]

Someone recently posted about that cape thing. I am gonna try the shirt for Ramsey...although to be honest...she isn't panting and shaking...UNTIL that first thunder clap.