pawpaw Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 MiMi was never affraid of thunder storms at all or any loud noises...(except the vaccum) NOW since i moved to florida and am going threw rainy season, the storms just come and go day and night and mimi is so scared. one night a few months ago the lightnig and thunder had gotten so loud, it felt like it was crashing in the drive way it woke me up out of deep sleep like bombs exploding. the power went out.. etc. When i looked for mimi, she was on the floor shaking and had shredded hubbys blanket to bits.. it must have been storming for a while for her to do all that. and l did what anyone else would have done, i scooped her up and wrapped her up in her blanky and we all went back into bed. mimi would not sleep.. she was trembling and twitching and just staring at the window as if something was going to get her. ever since that night... she freaks out as soon as she hears a little rain.. she will trembel and be at my ankles or make a B-line for under the computer chair and whine to me as if she saying "MOMMY DO YOU HEAR THAT" her being at my ankles doesnt bother me, its seeing her whole body tremble like shes going to burst. I guess you can call this traumatic stress? The Vet gave me some ideas to try and nothing works.. He suggested tranqulizers but i would rather go about this in a different way. ..shes only 1 yr old and i dont want to have her taking meds the rest of her life.. i hope you can understand how i feel about that. I am in desperate need of help from anyone. I will try anything. THis is what i have tried so far... I have played sounds of thunder very low for a few days strait to "get her used to the sound" that didnt work i have gotten her a new toy that we only play with durring storms so she can see it as something positive, also new cookie treats that didnt work, she wanted NOTHING to do with it. I have tried to not pay anyattention to her.. i have tried to comfort her .. a few times i held her in my arms on the porch when it was down pouring so she could see that its only rain etc.. all she did was sniff the air and start to whine and shake more.. I have told her no and made her go in her bed ... I am out of ideas.. and its just getting worse.. :drinking: I Love t-storms so she isnt picking up any bad vibes from me Any one know what i can do? Im sorry this post is soooo long. ~Mel~ Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 Honestly the best thing for storm fear is the anxiety wrap. www.anxietywrap.com It works wonders. If you would not like to spend so much money you can get a t-shirt that is a little snug and use that or you can lightly wrap with an ace bandage. The ace bandage is a little more difficult. I know many people who have used this product successfully and highly recommend it, including myself. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 That is very cool.... I think hubbby would hit the roof if i got one tho :o I better try the ace bandage first and convince him later..lol THANK YOU! Im sure there will be a storm today so im gonna be ready..lol I would never have even thought of something like that. Quote
Carolk9s Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 Please read this thread http://forum.dogomania.com/viewtopic.php?t=6728 I am truly a believer in using Melatonin and peppermint EXTRACT, I have had some success in keeping my dogs calmer. Not perfectly calm but far less stressed than before. You must be proactive for it to work, in other words be aware of the potential for a storm and use the Melatonin and peppermint extract BEFORE the dog goes over the edge. However, I have seen where giving Jesse Melatonin and using the peppermint extract after he's gotten anxious has helped him from really freaking out. Quote
courtnek Posted August 14, 2003 Posted August 14, 2003 couple of things: Melatonin and an old, UNWASHED t-shirt - so it smells like you - that's more comforting. When you see the storm approaching, make her go to her bed, give her a treat and then ignore her. This takes awhile. At the FIRST sign of calmness, or less fear, treat her and tell her she's good. The less anxiety, the better the treat and petting. This too will take a while. They can be desensitized, but in the long run it;s possible nothing will work. My golden used to climb into the sunken tub and just hide til it was over... Do you have a basement, or a small enclosed room without a window? Sometimes that helps too. Best of luck Quote
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