Looking for opinions. I've been thinking about dogs and stress for the last week or so. Natalya's Oscar almost bloating, possibly due to stress, and some really abnormal behavior from my own dog while on vacation prompted these thoughts.

Since I adopted Ripley he's been a go everywhere, do everything with me dog, and I've never had a single problem. He's always been a rock-solid kind of guy. We were in South Carolina last week visiting my parents, a place we've been twice before, and Ripley seemed to develop some separation anxiety. He spent an entire week with his nose glued to the back of my knee. He dashed doors when I'd try to go out without him. When I did have to leave him, I crated him, which seemed to calm him. He's also getting more fearful during thunderstorms these days.

Is this a product of age? He's 5-ish. Can I do anything to prevent this from getting worse?

Meredith

Dogs like routine- there is security in routine. What I'd do is when you're traveling with him just make sure you do "normal" stuff with him as much as possible. 5 minutes of your normal training, a 5 minute game of fetch, crate him at times.

I've traveled with 2 of my dogs and they did really well. I think part of it was the fact that they spent a lot of time in the car (even at our destination which was a wedding). They're very used to spending time in the car - I take them everywhere and they just chill while i run errands. And they I took along favorite toys and played with them when possible. They were super happy to get back to their own yard so I'm sure they were a bit stressed, but they handled it well.

As for thunderstorms, is not unusual for thunderstorm anxiety to come as a dog gets older. Last year my 5 y/o dog became really anxious about storms - panting, shaking, drooling. This was brought on in part by a whopper of a storm that came through. 3 straight hours of constant thunder, lightening and wind. Knocked our power out for days and our yard looked like a war zone with all the trees and limbs that came down. It totally freaked Kipp out.

I got a valium prescription for the vet the next day since were expecting more severe weather. It really helped him relax without knocking him out or making him groggy. The rest of the year he was really anxious as storms approached, but this year not so much. In fact last night he did okay with the storm that passed through in the middle of the night. Previously he'd wake me up he was so anxious, but last night he just tried to find a corner to lay in. I've heard that meds can help this way because they bring the dog into a more relaxed state of mind, instead of continuing to stress out throughout the storm. Therefore the dog learns they can relax, instead of the fear/stress building and worsening with each storm.

Meredith - has your dog had a complete vet check lately? It's also possible there might be some physical basis - pain - or something like hearing or vision loss? Do you notice any changes in behavior otherwise?

Your sentence "nose in the back of my knee" reminded me of our Iggie (italian greyhound) who has PRA and has lost all night vision. When in unfamilar places, he puts his nose on my calf as we walk, and he gets around fine (on leash, of course).

Always best to rule out physical causes before moving to the less quantifiable.

(my wife has used some product called "Doggie Calm" on our neurotic mini-dachshund. It does seem to help a little. I've never seen a more reactive dog - of course his hearing and vision are PERFECT - it's the nerves that are paper thin). Oh, and the crate SAVES THE DAY with the doxie also - seems to be a comfort zone for him.

Mara - that storm you described would freak ME out.

What about Rescue Remedy:
http://leerburg.com/72.htm

I hear it is supposed to really be helpful during stressful times and it is all natural too.
Just something to consider.

 Quote: Rob Abel

Mara - that storm you described would freak ME out.

Inside obedience and a little toy play really help my boys in new/frightening situation. The bigger the storm, the higher value the rewards. It gives me something to focus on too.

RUMBLE, RUMBLE, BANG, BANG… here we go, woo hoo - watch me, YES!

Vince came to me ready to attack his own shadow if it moved too fast, let alone an intense fear of thunder. He now knows what his shadow is and thunder means it’s time to play. It’s truly amazing what desensitizing can do. His toy drive is incredibly high though, I’m sure he’d run through fire if it meant a chance to chase a wobbly ball – lucky for me he’s easily motivated and incredibly focused.

There were some nasty thunder boomers last night. We did a bunch of happy appy games then the boys all settled down to their dinner. Thunder = fun games and dinner.

The long down is a must train – I see Mr. Jones has sit by sit instructions on another thread. This is great for those visiting type situations. I will generally make them down for about 10 min. at the beginning of a visit until everyone settles, then I’ll call them over for a bit of meet and play, depending on the situation, and then back to the down. NILIF with my boys, they earn the right to mingle in social situations. Vince often wants to be by my side but it’s always in a proper heel or down- stay so he thinks he’s working. Anxious or neurotic behavior, if fear based, gets him sent to the crate/car and is generally welcome by him. If it’s simply attention seeking he’s back to the down-stay.

I think we can quickly lose sight of our animal’s moment to moment thoughts when we’re caught up in events that demand our attention, when they are with us - strange sensations, different people/energy. I think their general instinct is to be near us, feel what we’re experiencing and react accordingly.

My husky, who has nerves of steel, gets Rescue Remedy when he’s particularly irritable. At times, if you breathe on him, he grumbles. This is an aging side effect of his medical conditions and medication. It works wonders. I haven’t used it on the younger ones – exposure, training and desensitization seem to be working. It takes time but the pay-off is well worth the effort.

 Quote:

Inside obedience and a little toy play really help my boys in new/frightening situation. The bigger the storm, the higher value the rewards. It gives me something to focus on too.

RUMBLE, RUMBLE, BANG, BANG… here we go, woo hoo - watch me, YES!

Yes - that helps a lot, too. I do work Kipp sometimes during storms and he likes it - it's like "whew, something else I can focus on besides the thunder"

But most of our storms seem to come through in the middle of the night or while I'm at work. Sigh. So at least the drugs let him relax and keep the anxiety from getting worse.

Thanks for the notes, folks.

Rob, I always appreciate the reminder that behavior can be related to health. Ripley's been examined more in the last 6 weeks than ever before, and he's tip-top, thankfully.

I think it's time to try Rescue Remedy and break out the fun toys and the clicker during t-storms. I'll have to start keeping track of the weather more closely, too.

Meredith

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

I think it's time to try Rescue Remedy and break out the fun toys and the clicker during t-storms. I'll have to start keeping track of the weather more closely, too.

Meredith

That's awesome the Ripley is healthy!!!

I agree with what other folks are saying about managing your situation. I might add some additional physical activity to the mix if you can anticipate the storms and exercise safely. A tired dog is a less anxious dog. Works for people too!

If you can't be home during a storm, we find it helps to turn the radio on to provide some background noise (we do that on 4th of July as well in the motorhome with kids shooting off fireworks all around and our dogs nestled inside. seems to help some).

You might end up with a superbly trained dog out of this deal. If the Weather Channel bores you as much as it does me (my wife watches it all the time), you'll be begging for other stuff to do.

Good luck and keep us posted. I hate to see critters who suffer with storms.