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Sunday, July 21, 2013

Dog Thunder Storm Fears

Dog Thunder Storm Fears



It was a dark and stormy dark hours...
and with each boom of thunder, each crash of lightening, terror in the dog ' s heart grew. It pinched him from a self confident, well adjusted family pet to an unrecognizable quivering mass. Having sensed the coming storm well before his owners could survey or hear configuration, the dog had current to walk, panting. They spoke, trying to embolden him; but as the storm drew closer the dog began to tremble and shake. Unresponsive to restful words from his owners, he searched for escape. Climbing onto the sofa he began to dig; as thunder rumbled, the dog moaned and a beam of urine was involuntarily released upon the sofa. He matted his mass down into a wizened ball, unsuspecting to the puddle where he had just wet, tremoring exceedingly.
The reality of a dog’s thunder storm uneasiness is more than righteous unpleasant fiction for some pet owners; it can be almost as tiring for them as weather changes are for their tumbled pets. Keepers of thunder - fearing dogs often try to see weather changes in hopes of being able to minimize stress. At the first shudder they may offer treats, petting, or equitable clutch their dogs protectively. Unfortunately, the storm phobic dog may make headway uneasy despite - - but not now of - - comfort from human attention; the tremor is too arresting.
Offering treats to " desensitize " a dog ' s panic won ' t work if the dog is in full self - defense mode; horror is an emotional state and in that state appetite isn ' t a driving force. To " augment panic " would mercenary the presentiment increases in frequency in response to reinforcement. This isn ' t what happens. Dogs will not become increasingly fearful in response to food and petting; they upright may not feel any better in venom of it. Coddling won ' t make the dog ' s actual faintheartedness of storms worsen, though the actuality of the hotelier during such an occurrence may have a propitiatory influence, and could help decrease the likelihood of damage or self - injury. Sometimes storm phobic dogs becomes destructive in their efforts to escape, especially if friendless alone during a storm.
What causes some dogs to be so under the weather while others reach unconcerned? In recent years gross behaviorists have theorized that thunder storm reverence arises from a hearing impairment, a trauma, or a biochemical imbalance. Nicholas Dodman, the head of the behavior clinic at the Tufts University Inculcate of Veterinary Medicine, speculates in his book " Dogs Behaving Badly, an A - Z Guide for Understanding and Curing Problem Behaviors in Dogs " that dogs who anxiety thunder somehow become piqued with static electricity. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the coats of some dogs may shape up an electrical charge and thence discharge at accidental giving the dog inadequate shocks. Many t - storm phobic dogs can be found knotted up unpunctual the cloakroom, in the tub, or on floor floors - all surfaces that " ground ". " Thunder - shirts, " available at most pet stores, are worth a try.
Loud booming uproar is certainly a point, however the real storm phobic dog has fears triggered by more than objective a roaring crash of thunder. Often dogs are aware of an impending weather change well before the barometer drops or the trick knee begins to plummet. As the sky darkens and the first drops of precipitate bring about to fall, the storm inside the terrified dog is instant posthaste in time with his pounding heart. Storm awe is a runaway train that can be almost impossible to derail.
Behavioral treatment for thunderstorm phobias can take several different approaches:
Desensitization - - Removing a dog from the full talk of stimuli to a hushed, sound - buffered whereabouts where storm noises and lightning flashes are less prevalent may help. In this locale of lower intensity response, with the stimuli still going on but at a lower intensity ( with resulting despair also at a lower intensity ) counter conditioning can be attempted:
Counter - Conditioning - - offering food awards and changing the dogs emotional state, while still in the validity of a smaller dose of the frightening stimuli, can help decrease the dog ' s suspicion ( classical conditioning. ) However it won ' t work if the dog ' s love of abhorrence are greater than its interest in the food.
Modeling - - Petting and comforting your dog may make her feel better, but if you seem surpassingly concerned, even if the source of your establishment is actually your dog ' s fearfulness - - you may be confirming there really is something to be upset of. Remaining sympathetic while demonstrating calm, unconcerned acceptance of the weather, and not reacting to each thunder clap with a gasp and worried glance at your dog, may provide some evidence that your are both going to be okay and " this too, shall pass. " Eating cheese and frenzied, for quotation, every time there is a storm, can fit out to gradually haul your dog ' s distinction out of the unholy limn and facilitate more folk conditioning, residence new associations between storms and attractive things that take the extent dump.
Other treatment measures append:
Medications - - drug and natural remedies help some dogs; check with your veterinarian Prevent static habitus - up - - this from Dr. Dodman - - fog the dog ' s coat with water or hamper a used cloth - softener sheet over their coats.
Provide a " storm go underground " - - organize a establish retreat, such as a closet ( add a doggie door for self avenue and to prevent claustrophobia ), or a crate in a pitchy room. Dogs that become rancorous duty not be confined in a hangout where they can get resentful - - the impersonal is to acquiesce a sense of holing up, not to imprison the shameful dog. The more soundproof the room the better, and the addition of blocking noises - - such as a blaring radio or television can help obscure some exterior storm noises.
In the past I have advised pet owners avoid using extremely sympathetic voices and coddling during thunder storms, out of a stated firm the dog ' s " timidity might be capable. " This was conceptually incorrect. Reinforcement increases the frequency of behaviors it follows. A dog ' s trepidation of storms will not be spare owing to pet owners offer comfort. Current dog training is based on solid research we all benefit from, and decrepit ways give way to new methods that are both compassionate and effective without frenzy or unkindness. In the gone I have advised pet owners not offer comfort to their dogs, but I am modifying my own advice to a more moderate bent. At the corresponding time I stand by a house that emotional support might be agreeing there is something to be unrestful of, confirming there is a threat the dog needs to be sheltered from. A second deportment is creating a dependency upon human comfort that will tolerance the dog in a bounteous hole, with few unfeigned coping methods when no one is home to provide social shelter. Perhaps the most loving response is one of generalization; to offer love and care, petting and standstill, but to also " stay calm and take on. "
Petting and emotionally comforting a storm - terrified dog is compassionate and provides social support to the dog. Creating safe places to mask enables dogs to self - comfort. Providing both kinds of care seems like the right way for a little brother to respond. You will not increase your dog ' s worry by comforting him.
( This article first appeared as an unedited anecdote in DogWorld Magazine, Help the Canine mind, Peggy Moran 2002 )

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