It affects a wide variety of dogs, from the smallest Chihuahua
to the grandest Great Dane; that rumble in the sky can strike fear
into the heart of the most courageous of canines. But why are they
so afraid and what do you do when your Dalmation tries to dive under
the bed? How do you keep your Yorkie from mussing up her hair, when
the sky goes boom? With a dose of the right attitude and a little
bit of patience, you can help put your puppy's fears at rest.
Why Do They Do It?
No one can say, for sure, why it is that so many dogs are intimidated
by the rumble of thunder and flash of lightning. Recent studies
suggest that it may be an inherited trait that is passed down, which
makes some dogs more prone to these phobias than others. This may
be a throwback to days when dogs had to exist outdoors, and the
rumble of thunder served as nature's warning alarm, telling
them to seek shelter. Whatever the reason, there are a large number
of dogs who suffer from this form of phobia.
There are varying degrees of fears - some dogs may simply look
around nervously, while others bark excitedly as the sky grows dark.
Still other dogs will seek shelter in makeshift "caves,"
such as under the bed or in the closet. The phobia, for some dogs,
is so intense that they may be negatively affected by other noised
that sound similar to thunder, such as fireworks, and some will
even panic to such a degree that they can cause themselves serious
harm or resort to biting in an attempt to escape.
What You Shouldn't Do
When our pets react negatively to a thunderclap, far too often,
we have one of two reactions: either we seek to console our pets
or, in some cases, some people resort to scolding the frightened
pet. Surprisingly, neither method will help to stop your pet from
reacting in such a fashion. In fact, both reactions can actually
cause your pet's behavior to become even more erratic. By making
a fuss or giving treats during the storm, we may temporarily calm
our pet, but we also instill within him the knowledge that he will
get extra attention or treats, by behaving poorly or acting frightened.
Meanwhile, punishing your puppy uses a form of negative enforcement,
showing him that he does have reason to fear the loud noises as
he is scolded and punished while they are occurring. Needless to
say, neither method is desirable. Additionally, it's also a
very unwise choice to attempt to put your puppy in his crate during
a thunder storm as well - while he may consider it a safe place
during the day, trying to escape from a pet crate can lead to serious
harm for you dog.
Another option that many people think will work is to hold onto
a pet and force him to experience what frightens him, hoping that
this will help to get him over his fears. Does this work? Studies
show that it's actually more detrimental to your dog; teaching
him not only to distrust you, encouraging you to scold or punish
your dog, and often resulting in causing the animal to panic. This
can result in serious dog bites or injury to your pet as he wildly
tries to free himself and escape.
Fixing the Problem
While you might think that your ability to relieve your pet's
fears may be significantly hampered, don't despair. There are
actually several different methods that can be used to help your
pet relax and deal with the strange sounds. Here are a few suggestions
to help put you on the right track:
The Distraction Game - This works best when the storm is first
starting, but will not do much to help if you start it up mid-storm.
The distraction theory is best implemented when your dog first starts
to show unease with the approaching storm, characterized by lifting
his head, perking his ears, and listening intently. Should you see
your puppy doing this, the distraction game can be put into motion
by engaging your dog in doing something that he really enjoys, such
as a game of tug-o-war or fetch.
Helpful Hideaways - Instead of forcing your dog to endure something
that frightens him, instead allow him to go to an area where he
feels most comfortable. This may not seem rational to you, but dogs
will often run under beds, into closets, hide under tables or in
other strange places, creating make shift ‘dens' in which
to hide away. Allow them this private space and don't make
a fuss over the storm - quite often, dogs can be coaxed out when
they see their humans going about their everyday lives and not paying
attention to the storms or making a fuss over their own behavior.
A Little Mod Will Do Ya - Behavior modification is perhaps one
of the best ways of helping a pet overcome his phobias but, if handled
poorly, this can also do far more damage to the pet's psyche.
In a good behavior modification course, a dog is introduced to small
stimulants, relating to what it is that frightens him. As he learns
to overcome these smaller hurdles, and his behavior is positively
reinforced, his fears slowly fade away. Unfortunately, many pet
owners try to do this themselves and, when not properly trained,
can often do more harm than help. For best results, consult a professional
before any behavior modification is attempted on your pet and, when
dealing with professionals, ask for credentials and references ahead
of time.
There are many dogs out there, who suffer from phobias of thunder
and lightning. Fortunately, however, there are things that you can
do to help. Above and beyond all else, remember to remain calm,
yourself, and maintain your patience - Remember that your pet looks
to you for guidance, protection and companionship. In return, you're
sure to get lots of love and wagging tails in return for your kindness
and understanding.
See also: Calculating Dog
Years , How to Pick a Dog
from a Shelter . Treating
Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
