While you may wonder what this has to do with adjusting to life with a dog and baby, it is important to note that some dogs' behavior in response to thunderstorm anxiety could not only be an annoyance to the whole family, but even unsafe for a new baby and stressful for the dog's health. Read below for some helpful tips on caring for a dog who is terrified of thunderstorms.
Sydney sometimes likes to follow me around the house. She probably does it because she likes me (I hope so), and because she's still nosy with what's going on with the baby.
I do notice, however, that there are times when she's following me a little more closely. I'm practically kicking her little face with my heel because she has to be right on my heels as I walk! If we were driving, she would be tailgating me! In NASCAR terms, it called drafting.
It's at this point that I realize that my dog can predict the weather better than any meteorologist on TV!
Not only do I notice that she is following me a little too closely, but I also notice other things. Her tail no longer looks like that cute, curly Shih Tzu tail; it is now down and between her legs. She appears to have this look of worry. She watches my every move, as if I'm going to escape her. When I sit down on the couch, she climbs up on my lap, and I can feel her little body shaking. Lucky for Taylor, she does not jump on the baby if I'm holding her. She'll still sit next to me on the couch and lean her little head up on my leg.
At this point, I hope I don't have to go to the bathroom since my lap is occupied with baby and dog's head. If I do, I'm not going in the bathroom alone, and I probably won't be sitting on the toilet alone either.
I can come to two possible conclusions on why she's doing this: we're going to get a thunderstorm or there are fireworks (if it's late June or early July, I can conclude that the issue is fireworks).
Why are so many dogs afraid of thunderstorms?
According to The Dog Trainer, they fear the lightning, they don't like the loud sounds associated with thunder, and they can hear thunder up to a distance much longer than humans can. They can sense the barometric pressure and smell ozone in the air, too. One way to treat the fear of thunderstorms is to duplicate a more mild version of a thunderstorm and use treats to train them to relax. That's one suggestion that The Dog Trainer makes. I may try this with Sydney by using thunderstorm sounds.
The Dog Trainer also suggests that if the dog's anxiety in a thunderstorm is that severe, it might be best to medicate the dog to help him or her relax, especially if you're not home and he or she could potentially cause damage in the house. A veterinarian's office can provide a medication to keep the dog relaxed.
I have also noticed in some pet stores that they carry a brand of homeopathic remedies for thunderstorms and fireworks. HomeoPet provides such a remedy for Anxiety TFLN (thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises). It's easy to apply: place the recommended amount of drops -- per the dog's size -- in the dog's water a few times a day.
Pet Expertise recommends possibly using a crate, a possible safe haven, for a dog during a thunderstorm. Also, try to speak calmly and cheerfully to the dog to help calm him or her, and keep the dog distracted by playing. They also recommend some possible clothing for the dog to help add pressure to the dog's body to calm. See this Dog Thundershirt, for example.
It is still important to help a dog deal with thunderstorm anxiety for the entire family's sake and the dog's sake. A storm is very stressful on the dog, and the dog's reaction to it could also add stress on the family dealing with his or her behavior to it!
No comments:
Post a Comment