Post Your Pet

[Griff]

Is he anxious generally or was there something he needed on the other side?

[Chocolatl]

He is generally high strung, but he has an intense thunder phobia that sets him panting and shaking. (Kind of a problem when you live in the Lightning Capital of the World.) For some reason, he feels that the laundry room and the garage beyond is the place to be during a storm. In the past, he's torn up laundry, so we changed the door knob to a round one so he couldn't get in there. Yesterday he managed to get in anyway, and partially demolished the door frame in the process. What gets me is it wasn't even storming yesterday. Vet being called today for advice.

[Lamplighter]

Maybe it would be easier to not fight it
Give him a large cardboard bax, throw Arnold blanket over it, and a pile of rags inside.


! ! Arnold above should be "an old" --- ridiculous iPad is in command now

[Nirvana]

crate blanket over the top. No house damage. No hating the dog. Crate $60 house damage $500? I saw a dog in a car eating the front seat while its owner was in the grocery store. I sure hope he did not beat the dog when he came out to see that.

[Chocolatl]

There's no hating the dog. He can't help that he's anxious. The crate we currently have isn't solid, so we're afraid he might hurt himself in it if he catches a toe in his thrashing. We're thinking to get a solid plastic carrier and throw some old blankets in it. We'll see what the vet recommends.

[Nirvana]

I did not mean to imply that you personally would hate your dog Choco I know that you wouldn't because you posted the photo of his crime. You did leave out the sign around his neck that says I ate the wall in my Mom's house

[Nirvana]

There is a product made for people but I use it for my dogs to prevent stress it's called Rescue Remedy. I have a couple of storm haters and separation anxiety. 4 drops in his water bowl every day would make for a calmer dog. Its not a drug it's made from flower essences.

[footfootfoot]

Rescue remedy works, in my experience. I've also seen people get good results with prozac. Not joking, the vet can give you a scrip for a dog sized dosage.

I'd try the rescue remedy first. I think it works even better on critters than on humans, but I haven't done a double blind study...

[DanaC]

Personally I'd advise trying Adaptil.

http://www.entirelypets.com/dapcollar.html

It is available in collars, sprays and plugin diffusers. It utilises a pheremone produced by lactating bitches, which has a calming effect on dogs. So much so that the Dogs Trust use the collars for all their dogs during their first few weeks, just to get them over the initial stress of being in the kennels.

I found it really helped take the edge off for Carrot when he was stressed out with joint pain and limited exercise.

Nursing mother dogs naturally produce an appeasing pherome. Clinical studies have demonstrated that a synthetic analogue of this pheromne (D.A.P.) helps provide reassurance and comfort to puppies and dogs of all ages.

Uses:
Helps reduce stress in challenging situations (louds noises, boarding, travelling and new surroundings)
Promotes learning and improves adaptation to modern lifestyle, helping prevent potential stress-related behavior problems in adulthood.

[Nirvana]

After 2 hours of bathing, drying, combing out enough hair to make a comforter, this is Victor. Smart boy wanted to get in the car after this! Since he is all dressed up he thought we were going somewhere

[BigV]

Wow, Nirvana. That is a very handsome dog.

[Lola Bunny]

He is handsome indeed!

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

Rescue remedy works, in my experience.

Just wanted to throw my hat in the ring as well, in support of Rescue Remedy. I have no experience in using it with dogs, but that stuff is very effective for an immediate blast of relaxation in humans. Only trouble is it wears off fairly quickly, but usually it's enough time for the panic to subside and the rational side of the brain to look around and realize everything's okay.

[Chocolatl]

We tried the DAP collar -- had no effect whatsoever. The vet has given him a prescription for a tranquilizer we use during severe, prolonged storms and on firework holidays, but it makes him stoned off his ass. Definitely not viable for daily usage. Thanks all for the feedback!

[Nirvana]

This works quite well and you can get one on Amazon or at Target.

http://www.thundershirt.com/?utm_expid=16997785-6