Seeing a fearful dog during thunderstorms or the sounds of fireworks is not fun for you or the dog. Unfortunately, many dogs suffer from this problem, but there is hope for some of them. Noise phobias are not uncommon in dogs, and there are some good methods of managing the problem. One of these methods may help your dog.
Thunder jackets. Thunder jackets or capes are wraps that wrap around your dog’s body. They reduce the amount of static electricity that builds up in your dog’s fur. Many people theorize that static electricity bothers some dogs and makes them fearful of storms. You can buy one of these thunder jackets for your dogs, which wraps tightly around their torso, or you can fasten a t-shirt around their body, or wear a tube top. The important thing is to wrap the fabric well around your dog’s body. This method seems to help many dogs that are afraid of storms.
Desensitize your dog with thunder and fireworks CDs. If your dog is particularly annoyed by noise from thunderstorms and fireworks, you can try desensitizing him to loud sounds using CDs. You can buy these recordings or make your own. Record the sounds of thunder and/or fireworks and then start playing them at a low volume in your home. Allow your dog to get used to sounds at low volume, and then gradually increase the volume until your dog is comfortable with sounds at full volume. This desensitization technique helps some dogs.
Create a safe place for your dog. Some dogs can survive storms and the noise of fireworks if they have a safe place. This safe place can be your crate, your bathtub, the center of your bed, or anywhere your dog feels safe and secure. It is often a dark and quiet place. It can make your dog think of a burrow or cave. Some dogs seem to prefer bathtubs because they are porcelain and this is a place where static electricity cannot build up on their fur.
Try herbal and aroma remedies. Rescue Remedy is a popular treatment for noise phobia and fear of thunderstorms and fireworks. It is a flower essence that you can buy at a health store or online. Some people also recommend a DAP diffuser, which is a pheromone-dispensing diffuser sometimes used in kennels and animal shelters to calm dogs.
drown out the noise. You can also try to drown out the noise of the storm or fireworks by turning up the volume on your TV or stereo. If you turn them on loud enough, your dog may not realize there’s a storm outside or fireworks going off. This works in some cases.
conclusion
If your dog’s fear is severe, you should seek the help of a behavior specialist who has experience working with dogs that suffer from noise phobias. You can also talk to your vet. In some cases, your vet may give you a sedative to get your dog through the storm. You should always talk to your vet before giving your dog any type of medication.