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Nervous dogs

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by DAKA, Sep 22, 2014.

  1. DAKA

    DAKA DOING VERY NICELY, THANK YOU

    Location:
    150 miles North of SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN THE US
    We recently "rescued" a 6 year old Silkie Terrier...needless to say he has some problems.
    Right no we are dealing with his fear (stronger word TERROR) at storms.
    Since we are in South Florida, and this is storm season, we get a lightning storm almost every evening or during the night.
    We'll be fast asleep and all of a sudden there is a 10 pound dog walking on my head !
    First we tried a THUNDERSHIRT, partial success but he is still terrified, now we are trying something called BACHS RESCUE REMEDY...with the shirt quite a bit better, but I have to sit with him on my lap in an inside bathroom with the radio on....
    And I am worried about using this stuff so much....
    Anyone have any insight?
    I've had 3 German Shepherds and they slept thru Hurricanes....
     
    DAKA, Sep 22, 2014
    #1
  2. Japchae

    Japchae Very Tilted

    Cats use a pheromone diffuser called feliway. Do they have something similar for dogs?
    I would ask the Dog Guru, @amonkie, as she has been doing great things with rescues.
     
    Japchae, Sep 23, 2014
    #2
  3. amonkie

    amonkie Very Tilted

    Location:
    Windy City
    Hi Daka, Bach's is a good homeopathic start! Check the dosage for your dog's weight and make sure it is the correct one. Something that has worked for our rescue dogs that have storm issues after we have tried the same steps you have done is use Pet Naturals Calming Soft treat. We are a PetCo partner so that is where I have seen/bought them: -
    Pet Naturals Calming Soft Chews for Dogs at PETCO


    Another option is to wear the dog out prior so they are less likely to be reactive. If you know when the storms typically show up during the evening, doing a lot of exercise earlier in the evening might help to get the dog less anxious. Another thing to try might be lightening sounds on CD - start with the volume lower as background noise, and then slowly increase the volume and see if you can't take some of the edge off the sensitivity to the sound. If it is the flashes that are also part of the issue, you could try doing the same thing with a nature DVD.
     
    amonkie, Sep 24, 2014
    #3
    • Like Like x 1
  4. DAKA

    DAKA DOING VERY NICELY, THANK YOU

    Location:
    150 miles North of SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN THE US
    amonkie:
    The Bachs seems to be working, (fingers crossed) I called Bach's and they tell me it would be OK to continue the use during the "storm season", we are getting thunderstorms every day now, this goes on till I guess November.
    I am giving him 1 drop in his food twice a day, he weighs 11 pounds.....
     
    DAKA, Sep 24, 2014
    #4