Is your dog scared of thunder? Why do certain dogs become fearful of loud noises such as thunder and fireworks, but others remain unruffled? Nobody’s completely sure. In some cases, puppyhood trauma (such as being tied up outside for long intervals) may have something to do with it. Some owners claim that specific breed temperaments may play a role, and in other cases, sensitive hearing or separation anxiety may contribute. What’s certain is that for some canines, a minor case of nerves can escalate into a full-blown phobia — an excessively panicked, irrational, chronic fear response.

Since the day we adopted our rescue pup, Grant, we’ve been dealing with this kind of phobia on a regular basis. Like many dogs who struggle with unexplained fear of thunder, Grant seems unusually sensitive to any storm-related occurrence, such as changes in barometric pressure. Once the rumbles begin, his anxiety rapidly escalates into overwhelming terror. So, for us, it’s especially unfortunate that summer’s humid conditions can produce some of the biggest storms of the year.

A dog scared of thunder can result in hiding, urinating, excessive panting, drooling, trembling, whining, eye-rolling, and/or frantic efforts to escape. If you’re Grant, they include all of the above … and some of his escape efforts have led to painful injury. The cruel irony is that if we, as owners, fawn over Grant or try to over-comfort him, we’re essentially reinforcing his panic behavior. A dog often interprets this pronounced reassurance as confirmation that the event taking place truly is worthy of panic.

There’s no guarantee that you can ever fully resolve your dog’s fear of thunder. But if your dog is scared of thunder, there are ways that you can manage it effectively. Here are six strategies from a Thundershirt for dogs to increasing exercise that have worked especially well for us:

1. Watch your behavior during a thunderstorm

If you remember nothing else, remember this: Constant petting or consoling is often interpreted by pets as a reward for the fearful response — or reinforcement that the fearful response is warranted. Conversely, punishment will only increase a panicked pet’s anxiety level. Our solution? Projecting a calm, cool vibe and giving Grant attention in the form of playing, grooming, or other activities he normally enjoys.

2. Use the Thundershirt to lessen your dog’s fear of thunder

Not to state this too strongly, but the Thundershirt is a miracle. This snug garment (available online or at most pet-supply stores) attaches around Grant’s body with Velcro and produces a “swaddling” effect that calms down his panicked panting. It often begins working within minutes, and on a few occasions Grant has actually drifted off to sleep (yes!). Complementary therapies we sometimes use include Rescue Remedy, which is based on calming Bach flower essences, and Ark Naturals Happy Traveler, a botanically based chew that can produce a calming effect. You can also try calming essential oils or pheromones, such as the canine-calming pheromone DAP. This can be found in Comfort Zone products.

3. Switch environments when it starts to thunder

Changing your pet’s location can be surprisingly effective, because it may help reduce the storm’s volume level or make your pet less aware of it. Grant, for instance, likes to hang out on the bathroom rug with the overhead fan droning away whenever it storms outside. This creates a “white noise” that blocks out the sounds that disturb him.

Allowing your pet access to the basement, or a room without windows, may have a similar effect. Some pups find that a closet or the area under the bed feels especially safe and secure. If your pet heads for his crate, try covering it with a blanket to increase feelings of security. However, keep the crate door open so your pet won’t feel confined (which can dramatically increase anxiety).

4. Increase exercise before a thunderstorm starts

When thunderstorms are predicted, we try to take Grant for a few extra walks before the clouds roll in. This helps to tire him both mentally and physically. Many vets claim that it can also boost natural serotonin levels, which then act as a natural calming aid.

5. Use counterconditioning during a thunderstorm

This fancy behavioral term simply means we help Grant to associate something negative (the thunderstorm) with something positive. For example, we keep Grant’s all-time favorite toy hidden away and bring it out to play when he begins to feel nervous about an approaching storm. We’ll sometimes feed him an extra-special treat during these times, as well, such as a small piece of bacon or cheese. This diverts his focus, and enjoying the treat/toy during the storm has gradually helped to recondition his response.

6. Try desensitization

We practice this during the off-season for thunderstorms, usually over the winter. To begin, simply play a CD or iPod mix of storm sounds at an extremely soft level. While your dog remains relaxed at this level, say a simple cue word like “chill” and provide a yummy treat every 15 seconds or so. Then, gradually extend the time your pet needs to remain relaxed before earning the treat.

Once your pup can remain relaxed on command, increase the volume a single notch and repeat the process. If at any time your pet shows pronounced fear or panic, go back to the previous volume level, say the cue word, and reward for staying calm. When an actual storm takes place, continue using this same cue/reward system.

Grant exhibits a fairly intense fear response when it comes to thunderstorms. The good news is we’ve managed to help him cope without resorting to the use of pharmaceuticals. If none of these approaches work for you, a candid conversation with your vet might be warranted. In extreme cases, there are medications that can help keep your pup comfortable. But take a cue from Grant — a little dedication and ingenuity from you may be all that’s necessary to help your canine cope successfully!

Is your dog scared of thunder? How do you cope? What are your tips?

Read more stories about dogs with anxieties and phobias on Dogster.com: 

• Dealing with a Dog That’s Afraid of Water? Try These 4 Proven Techniques
• 5 Road-Tested Tips for Traveling With Fearful Dogs
• How Your Dog Can Be Anxiety Free

About the author: Marybeth Bittel is a freelance writer who lives in the Midwest with her wonderful husband, her crazy rescue dog Grant, and her level-headed rescue dog Maizy – all of them Heinz 57 mixed breed types. Marybeth identifies as mostly Italian, so she enjoys feeding family, friends and furkids almost as much as Grant and Maizy enjoy eating. She’s also a marketing communications consultant and former marketing/PR exec. Connect with her on LinkedIn or — to see her latest pet pics (and be careful what you wish for here) — check out her family Instagram feed.

The post Is Your Dog Scared of Thunder? 6 Tips for Soothing Him appeared first on Dogster.

via Dogster http://ift.tt/1MrTdcn

via The Bark http://ift.tt/2woYvkk

via Life With Dogs http://ift.tt/2vENMoM

via Life With Dogs http://ift.tt/2uhTOau

Dogs in the wild grow up in packs and they are socialized almost from birth. A dog becomes socialized by interacting with other canines and learning their verbal cues and body language. The boundaries in the pack are very clear and each pup learns to understand their elders or get thrown out. Domestic dogs also begin socialization in their litter and when they come into a human family, socialization with humans begin. The initial socialization period of a dog is four to 12 weeks. It is during this time that social skills are imprinted on them and their interaction with other dogs and humans is, hopefully, positive. The socialization then should continue into adulthood. But many dog owners choose to adopt older dogs who sometimes were not socialized during this time. So, how do you go about socializing adult dogs? Do you need dog training classes to socialize them, or is it a combination of different factors?

When a dog owner brings an adult dog into their home, it’s important to find out early on how socialized he is. His initial interaction with you will be telling – is he fearful or aggressive? Does he back away when you approach or send warning signals such as raised hackles? When you take him on walks, is he nervous around different sounds and sights? Does he shy away from people or other dogs? If you see any of these signs, it’s likely he was not socialized well in his early days. But there are several things you can do about socializing adult dogs with other dogs and humans.

Socializing Adult Dogs with Other Dogs

Take Your Dog Out to Observe Other Dogs

1. Go to a dog park but don’t go in.
2. Allow your dog to watch the other pups and observe their behavior.
3. Every time a dog comes near the fence, give your dog a treat. This creates a positive association with other dogs.
4. If your dog reacts aggressively towards the dogs in the park, move further away and slowly move up until he is quiet.

Resist Tugging While Walking

When out walking and another dog comes into view, resist jerking on the lead and yelling at your dog. This reinforces seeing other dogs as a negative experience. Instead, distract your dog with a treat or toy, use the command “Watch me!” and praise him when he pays attention to you.

Go to Dog Training Classes

Dog obedience class is a great way to help socialize an adult dog before attempting going into dog parks or having playdates. Because your dog is learning commands, he is distracted most of the time. Speak to your trainer about the issue and she can help you introduce your dog slowly to other dogs in the class. This is also a safe place for your dog to learn to interact with other humans.

Socializing Adult Dogs with Humans

The first step is to socialize your dog with your family. This is best done slowly and patience is a virtue here. Dogs and humans speak a different language so you’ll both be learning how to communicate.

Ignore Your Dog’s Unwanted Behaviors

When your dog runs to hide from you, don’t go after him and pull him from under the bed. Ignore him and do something that will persuade him to come out like playing with his toys or frying up some bacon. Dogs are curious and social creatures and they’ll eventually become bored and lonely by themselves. Reward him with a bit of that bacon when he comes out.

Act Like Everything is Normal When He Acts Out

It’s sort of like when your teenager comes down the stairs with an enormous pimple on her forehead. You don’t mention it and act as if there’s nothing wrong. By acting as if your dog’s behavior is no big deal, you’re creating a calmer environment and, thus, a calmer dog. So when he streaks under your legs because the postman is at the door, go on about your business as usual.

Introduce People Slowly

Only add one person a week at the most into your dog’s life. When they meet your dog, have them offer a treat and speak in a happy, low, encouraging voice. You don’t want to use a high pitch which could excite him. Keep your dog on a leash at first but do not force him to go near the person. Let him take his time.

The main thing to remember when socializing older or adult dogs is to be positive and to make each new experience a good one with praise and treats. Corrections do not work well here and will likely will create a more nervous dog. In time, your new companion will become at ease at home and in public and will truly be a member of the family.

Read more dog training tips on Dogster.com:

• 5 Training Tips for Your Working Dog Breed
• Summer Dog Training Tips
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Dog Training

The post Socializing Adult Dogs Through Dog Training Classes & More appeared first on Dogster.

via Dogster http://ift.tt/1TCWR5o