April 19, 2011
I'm nervous about putting my dog in the crate because of his thunderstorm anxiety. Do you guys have any experience with resolving thunderstorm anxiety?
Full Question:
I'm nervous about putting my dog in the crate because the reason he was breaking out of the old crate was thunderstorm anxiety. I didn't see that referenced in the videos. I have sought help from a local specialist. But he thinks I should put the dog on prozac and xanax for the anxiety. I am fairly convinced that the pack structure program and training (along with the info about dealing with dominant dogs) will address the core issues. My concern is that he hurt himself in the crate in the mean time.Buddy is a pit bull and the thunderstorm anxiety developed about 6 years ago when I acquired another dog. sophie was an american bulldog who had been homeless in rural GA and had sever thunderstorm anxiety. Unfortunately, that is when I stopped walking buddy because I couldn't walk the both of them. She is no longer with us. And I hired a local trainer to help me get buddy back into a place where I can walk him. We have had some success but it was clear that exercise alone would not alleviate the thunderstorm issue.
So I guess my question is if you guys have had any experience with pack structure and obedience training resolving thunderstorm anxiety. (We live in FL so eliminating the thunderstorms is not a possibility!)
Thanks for your help!
Kathy
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Thunderstorm anxiety is fairly common and I would definitely suggest the use of a secure crate. I have had good results using melatonin and confinement for dogs I have owned in the past. You can get melatonin at any health food store.
Thunderstorm anxiety and separation anxiety are treated in the same way, through management (usually for the life of the dog). There is an article linked that talks about dogs that break out of crates.
Pack structure and obedience will help your dog become more secure and well adjusted but don't typically eradicate the sensitivity to thunderstorms.
Cindy
Thunderstorm anxiety and separation anxiety are treated in the same way, through management (usually for the life of the dog). There is an article linked that talks about dogs that break out of crates.
Pack structure and obedience will help your dog become more secure and well adjusted but don't typically eradicate the sensitivity to thunderstorms.
Cindy
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