we've had two thunderstorms while out on normal walks. one was far off, no big deal. the other came up b/f we got home but while we were close - big thunderclaps etc.

luc got scared - 'ran' and then planted. he was wearing his prong.

i have to admit, my approach was basically what my mom did with us when we were little - we had options, we could make a choice - do what she said or go to our rooms (i spent a lot of time in my room).

so when luc pulled on the prong, i said 'no pull', had him sit so he could calm down a bit. and then, as i saw it, he had a choice - he could work with me and go home, or he could pull on the prong and hurt himself. (obviously i didn't explain this outloud) when i started again, he hesitated, but he came with me and while he darted a bit (but stayed next to me) he did do it.

though, as you all know, my dog knowledge borders on zero, but so far luc has been working through the storms okay. i'm not sure he has the level of terror some dogs might though.

it's also good to have alternate tools to use like the shirt or RR.

I think the most difficult part about anything is knowing how a dog is going to react. And even with the same dog, he may not react the same way in every situation. The best we can do is try to find what works best for us and him in any given situation.

Fortunately, in this instance, there are several options to choose from. Obviously you are giving him what he needs.

Good luck!

The dog is about 6 years old -- I've had her for about 3 years. She doesn't seem to mind the thunderstorms if I'm outside playing with her or taking her for a walk, but unfortunately, the thunderstorms mostly occur in the middle of the night. She usually comes into the bedroom when it starts thundering and nudges me awake. At that time she's shaking and either jumps up on the bed (which she doesn't usually do except to play) or hides under it. I cuddle her if she's on the bed -- otherwise I dangle my arm over the side of the bed so that she can reach me.

 Quote: marjorie kay

The dog is about 6 years old -- I've had her for about 3 years. She doesn't seem to mind the thunderstorms if I'm outside playing with her or taking her for a walk, but unfortunately, the thunderstorms mostly occur in the middle of the night. She usually comes into the bedroom when it starts thundering and nudges me awake. At that time she's shaking and either jumps up on the bed (which she doesn't usually do except to play) or hides under it. I cuddle her if she's on the bed -- otherwise I dangle my arm over the side of the bed so that she can reach me.

This doesn't sound too bad, actually, if she doesn't mind as long as she's distracted (playing).

I'm not sure that I'd get up in the wee hours to play with her and distract her , but that level of anxiety might indeed respond to the sound-desensitization Lisa mentioned on page 1.

Another possibility might be to associate storms with good stuff when it happens in the daytime.

When you cuddle her on the bed, does she completely relax? I'm leery of supplying this kind of special treatment, because it does seem that it would reinforce fearful behavior. How is she when you dangle your arm for her to see? (Or what does she do? Position herself so you are touching?)

I don't know how concerned I would be about such a mild reaction, though, as long as there was no sign that the reaction was growing in intensity (or starting to occur during previously OK times, such as walking/playing outdoors). I would probably take the lazy road and keep dangling my arm.

Others will probably have much better suggestions.

As taboo as it may be, especially with Bruno, we bring the dogs into our room. Strummer is clearly my wife's dog and he'll lay at my feet. He's not aggressive in any way. Bruno, who is clearly my dog, will lay beside the bed on my wife's side. "Problem" He doesn't like being wakened while sleeping so I have to keep a leash on him so he'll stay on the floor next to my side of the bed in case Susan needs to get up at night. Bruno seems to appreciate the added consideration and never gives me any problems during this scenario. Of course I tell him to stand before I get out of bed.

just thought i’d note that the swaddling in a shirt idea worked well for luc and i - it’s the canadian international airshow this weekend, and i live slightly to the north of it, directly in the flight path (F16s, F22s, the snowbirds and a bunch of other planes (jets I guess). they’re....loud.

luc was scared saturday - he hid under the table next to my bed (who knew he could fit under there!) and did jump up next to me - a habit he’d entirely stopped - and leaned against me shaking. He was drooling heavily and didn’t come out from under the table until an hour after the plane flew over.

sunday i had a shirt ready - as soon as i heard the first plane coming, i put it over him. he stayed upstairs for a bit, then went downstairs, wedged himself in a little corner and laid flat out and everytime i went to check on how he was doing, was fast asleep. huge difference in comfort level, so it might be worth a try with your dog.

Wow, Jennifer! I'm glad you posted! I have heard a couple of people say this, but my own dogs are anxious when confined, so I wasn't sure about it. But now I see what you mean: more of a portable "den" than a confining piece of cloth.

I'm sure it depends on the dog, but this is great to know.

I’m glad that worked for Luc!

I read this (swaddling) and thought to my self, “If I did that to Rox, she’d freak out.” Maybe I am thinking of swaddling a baby, as in tight with out movement of the arms or legs. I think that, for her, restricting her movement that much would panic her more in an already stressful situation. But I am glad that it does works for some! Might even think about trying it, maybe...

yesterday was the last day of the airshow, and oddly, it didn't work as well as on sunday - though he was far more comfortable then on saturday.

jessica - i didn't swaddle him that much - i used a button-up shirt and put it on more like a cape, though it did slide down his front some and while he could move, not as freely as normal. connie put it well - i tried more for the portable den.

unfortunately, in addition to the airshow, apparently labour day has become a fireworks weekend sunday and monday nights! errr....luc did pretty well when outside on our walk (surprise both times, once very close by, and he handled it well) but he had a bad moment when we started our walk this morning, and shook for the first block. after that he realized it was fine. with him, i find it's two steps forward, one step back, getting him used to the bigger world out there.

i'd say that the swaddling is helpful - maybe not for all dogs, and maybe not enough to totally rid the fear in every circumstance, but for luc overall i would say it helped and is useful, though not a solution.

The best results I have had have been to not react to the dog reacting. Any reaction is seen as attention & a dog can interpret it as being rewarded for the negative behaviour displayed. For me what has worked has been to put the dog into a sit stay or down stay & ignore the dog until he shows no reaction then reward calm behaviour and correct him when he breaks. I've been known to practice fusing in the house during thunder. Works like a charm!