Sound and/or storm sensitive dogs

[Carolk9s]

If you have a dog that acts nervous and fearful when he/she hears thunder, fireworks etc., I have info that may help your dog.
Jesse has always been sound sensitive, thunderstorms and fireworks have always made him pace, pant, drool and be generally a wreck.
I read on my Belgian list about using Peppermint Extract as a calming agent. I have also read that Melatonin tablets help.
NOTE: NOT PEPPERMINT OIL, THE EXTRACT.
The oil might be dangerous but the extract is safe to use.
I bought some at my local grocery store, found it in the baking goods aisle.
I have used it twice now and have seen positive results.
All you do is dab a little on the paw pads of your dog, preferably BEFORE the noise begins and they get excited.
Last night the local fool pool was setting off illegal fireworks in the neighborhood, lots of popping and screamers flying around.
I gave Jesse one 3 milligram Melatonin tablet and using a cotton ball, dabbed peppermint extract on his paw pads. He NEVER got upset even at the height of the fireworks. I gave Candy 1/2 a Melatonin tablet and dabbed her paw pads with the extract. It took a few minutes longer for her to relax as she was outside when the fireworks started and came bolting through the doggie door already upset. Both dogs ended up snoozing through the noise.
I have tried Melatonin tablets before by themselves and did not see any where near the results I saw using the extract.
Here is a link to more info on Melatonin http://www.peoriahs.org/melatonin.html
Another link also discusses benefits of Melatonin in dogs that seize.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/melatonin.htm
Since this info came out on BELG-L, I have read 4-5 other accounts of the extract making a huge difference in how someones dog was able to maintain a calm demeanor when in the past the dog freaked out.
I don't know why it works, but it does. Two listers on BELG-L said oh no don't use that because peppermint extract is a STIMULANT and won't help calm an anxious dog. Well in this house, it DID help.
Is there a chemist in the house? 8)
Why it has the opposite of the expected result, calms them instead of exciting them, I don't know.
Granted the true test is yet to come, when the next thunderstorm rolls in I will follow the steps I took last night and see what happens.
One person on BELG-L said she had tried various things before with her dog including Rescue Remedy and none of them worked as well as the peppermint extract.
It's a cheap, safe option to try if your dog become frantic at loud noises such as storms.
Again, use the peppermint EXTRACT, not the oil. You can probably find it at your local grocery store.
If you do use it, PLEASE let the rest of us know if/how it worked for your dog.
I am so grateful for this, Jesse is too danged old to get so worked up that he panics and shakes, I know he could hear them because I could but he stayed relaxed the entire time.

[mouseatthebusstop]

it does not matter how something works :) as long as it does
I would be interested in the results

[behle]

Thanks for the interesting tip. I have peppermint extract in the cupboard; I'll have to try that on Max next time we have a loud storm! :D

[courtnek]

I don't know why it works, but it does. Two listers on BELG-L said oh no don't use that because peppermint extract is a STIMULANT and won't help calm an anxious dog. Well in this house, it DID help

for the same reason that they give anti-depressants to hyper kids...
You'd think tranq's, but the child is actually hyper because he's depressed.

The dog may actually be depressed and frightened by the sound, and the stimulant acts to balance him out better.

:D

[Guest Anonymous]

I am willing to try it. One of my dogs is absolutely horrified of bad weather. None of them ever had a problem with it before, but we had a bad lightning strike right outside our front window one day last year and a few of them have been nervous about storms (even just rain which we get daily :-? ) since. This one dog will become so distressed that he loses control of his bladder and bowels, paces and drools uncontrollably. The vet gave me some acepromazine to give him, but I don't want to have to keep poor Fred drunk all day just for an afternoon storm that might not last an hour. That ace ruins him all day. It doesn't alleviate the fear... it just makes him too drunk to care, I reckon. Instead of giving him the ace now, I just crate him until it's over. I've even used the Rescue Remedy which has always been highly recommended, but it didn't do much to help.

My Lab is also afraid of loud noises (gunfire, fireworks, thunder). I've never medicated him because he doesn't react SO horribly, but if I can just make him more comfortable, it's certainly worth trying.

Thanks so much for passing this along. I'm absolutely going to try this with a few of mine. I need to find some place that sells this. I'll be sure to check back in with the results of how it worked on my misfits!:)

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh, and thanks for the melatonin info! I'm going to pass that along to my best friend whose Standard Poodle has seizures. :D

[Malamum]

Thanks for sharing that info.

We live in a pretty quiet neighbourhood so have never actually had an issue with Indy and loud noises but it's good to know just in case.

[Carolk9s]

HF,
ACE is a bad thing. I used to give it to Jesse years ago. Like your dog, it knocked him down so far it was frightening. I have since found out that in some dogs, ACE can lower the seizure threshold.
I hope you have good results with peppermint extract. Please let us know how it works.

Courtnek,
I suspected that the affect of peppermint to calm the dogs was similar to the affect Ritalin has on hyperactive children.

Before I tried the peppermint extract, I had already placed an order for a 'Comfort Zone' that uses DAP. Dog Appeasement Pheromone.
Here is a link to more info on this: http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=41256&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=72EFB171D12D456896DD91A2B53EABCB
It may turn out that I don't even need it but it's on it's way.
I had also heard about this through BELG-L, one lister uses it to keep a puppy who broke a leg calm.
Whatever I can do to safely and naturally keep my babies from stressing out is ok with me.

[Carolk9s]

You can find the peppermint extract (look for pure) at your local grocery store. It can also be ordered online in an alcohol free state that is more expensive than what you find at the store.
The melatonin can be found at most any drug store or grocery that has a pharmacy area. I use the Nature Made brand but I'm sure there are others out there that are natural, no additives as well.

[DogPaddle]

Thanks Carol - I will have to try that. Kavik goes nuts when there are fireworks (even on TV.) He runs around barking and looking at everyone suspiciously as if they were the ones who did it - if he wasn't so distressed it would be comical.

[bk_blue]

Thanks Carol, will try on the crazy one next time there is a storm. :D

[Carolk9s]

Had our first thunderstorm to try out peppermint and melatonin. It
was a somewhat mild storm. I gave Jesse a melatonin tablet and did his
paw pads with peppermint about an hour before we heard any thunder.
Candy got 1/2 a tablet and peppermint. Candy reacted well before Jesse
did, she got a little spooked by the thunder, kept looking at Jesse.
She then went into her crate and settled down just fine.
Jesse finally decided something was up about 1/2 way through the
storm. He started out by putting his nose up high and sniffing the air.
He went to each door in the house, sniffed, came back, circled once or
twice sniffing the air, then settled down at my feet. He did pant
lightly, but stayed FAR more relaxed than normal. No shaking, drooling,
pacing, pawing etc.
I am SO glad to see my boy get some relief from his anxiety during a
storm or fireworks.

[Horsefeathers!]

We've had intermittent storms all day, but it cleared out for a good while this afternoon (just long enough for me to run to town and grab some of this stuff). The clouds are rolling back in and it's rumbling in the distance. I just came from town and I picked up some peppermint extract and melatonin tablets. Fred, my older male Lhasa, is the one who usually paces and drools and loses control of his bowels and bladder. I've just given him the recommended dosage of melatonin and dabbed the peppermint on his paws. I'll be sure to check back in later tonight, or tomorrow, and tell you how it goes. I sure hope this helps the ol' man out. 8)

[Horsefeathers!]

Ack! Ptooey! I got some of that peppermint extract in my mouth. 89% alcohol! It's like a combination of mouthwash and lighter fluid. The taste doesn't just go away; that's for sure!
:crazyeyes:

[Horsefeathers!]

Well, good news and bad news. Bad news is that while it rumbled and has rained a little this afternoon, the "storm" seems to have fizzled out. There wasn't enough to get the dogs revved up, so I still don't know if it would have worked. The good news is that Fred wasn't the least bit sedated with his recommended dosage. At least I know he won't be dopey IF it works well for him. He's been alert and active and ate his evening meal just like normal. Hmm... maybe it IS a good thing. Usually, if the weather is even iffy, he won't eat at all. Maybe it DID help after all.

Just a side note... I don't know if putting the drops on the nose is more effective or not, but it sure has more comedic value. I'm evil, but every one of my dogs had to come sniff out what I was handling and each one got a dab on the nose. What we do for entertainment around here... :oops: *snicker*

[Carolk9s]

Has anyone tried the Melatonin and/or peppermint extract with your dog(s)?
Any results to share?
I'd love to hear if you've tried it and how you felt it worked or did not work for your dogs.

[Guest Mutts4Me]

*bump*

My mom just informed me that the fireworks are starting in my neighborhood, and Sasha's going nutty, so I looked this thread up and decidec to toss it to the top, since it's getting to be that time of year, especially in the US :)

I'm going to have my mom try it and I'll post on whether it has an effect or not!

[Horsefeathers!]

Well, here's my little update. I've been using it since it was first posted here and it is working pretty good. We have regular afternoon thunderboomers and a couple of the dogs get really upset. This stuff has helped settle them without sedating them. I hope it works as well for you.

[Guest Anonymous]

You can also dab a little peppermint oil on your temple if you have a migraine coming on. It works wonders for headaches :wink:

[imported_Kat]

hmmm thsi is very interesting indeed. Its coming up to the twelfth fortnight in N.Ireland where we have fireworks let off and Zoe goes bonkers so I will try find the extract and melatonin tablets and tell my parents to give them a whirl, as I will be away in Netherlands then.

Thanks for the info. :wink:

[courtnek]

will it work for a dog that's afraid of people? it's not just noise, it's strangers. The melatonin says it's specific for noise. She defecates when she gets scared and makes a mess. she's good while I'm here, but while I'm at work she's as terrified as ever. the kids swear they arent bothering her, just sometimes something sets her off and she runs downstairs and
goes on the steps. My son is furious. It embarasses him, especially since he doesnt allow anyone to bother her or touch her.

[courtnek]

well, I'm trying it. I gave Laurel 3 mg of Melotonin, and wiped some pepperment extract on her paws. man, that stuff smells STRONG!!
maybe this is aroma therapy, far enough away that it doesnt bring tears to her eyes....

I only did the front paws, do I need to do all?

she pills really nicely, thank Dog....


You gotta have a battle with Free to get her to take pills...Laurel was cool. Put the pill as close to the back of her mouth as possible without scaring her and rubbed her throat. she swallowed right away, no prob. hope this works. well, Kyle always complains about her "hound smell"....now she smells like Peppermints!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[courtnek]

if she goes outside, do I need to re-do her paws? I'm sure it will come off in the grass...

[Horsefeathers!]

It always smells like a bar or pub in here when we've done the peppermint thing.

If her feet still "stink" of peppermint after getting wet, I wouldn't think you'd need to redo it, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if you did.

[courtnek]

well, there is a difference...she never barked at the door. or outside noises. only when the door was opened and someone came in. then she would growl, bay and hide under the desk. now she is barking at the window at outside noises. like a regular dog. is that progress? not hiding under the desk. barking at outside sounds like most dogs. never did that before. not hiding. seems more confident. could this be a good thing?

its different. seems better. seems more confident. guess I wont know till people come in. she is sleeping on the couch, instead of under the desk.

usually, if no one is here, she sleeps under the desk and makes no noise, no matter whats going on outside.