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Dolls N DreamsWe have been having thunder storms all week and poor little Tiff hates them, she has ever since she was a pup. I have to bring her into my studio with me and close the door ,turn the radio or tv up really high. She is hiding under my work table right now. If I let her out of the room, she wants to run all over the house barking, I have to keep her calm with NO running for the next 6 weeks after her leg surgery................Does your fur babies hate the storms and what do you do to calm them..........any suggestions???
Benson BearsMy last dog, Maggie, used to sense them well before we could, we knew one was on the way when she used to stick herself to our legs and I mean stick! Ralphie doesn't seem bothered by them, then he's gone a bit deaf. But he's such a big calm old boy, nothing bothers him except maybe small children, doen't like them one bit. Lily barks but not like she's afraid, more like she's defending her territory. I guess they're just like us and all react in a different way. I think keeping her close is the best thing you can do Tami. How is her leg coming on?
Little Bear GuyLuckily enough both of our dogs are not bothered by them at all. The oldest one has barked at the thunder once but that was when it was a really loud clap of thunder. She doesn't bother with them at all and the puppy is just the same. We never made a big deal over the storms. My sister did with her dog and kind of babied her and she reinforced a bad habit and now she is terrified of the storms.
big hugs
Shane
BrisbaneWe had a dog that would go crazy whenever there was a storm. The only thing we could do was lock her up securely in our laundry until the storm was over. She would jam herself into tight places to hide such as behind the toilet. If I didn't lock her up she would escape the yard (serial escape artist, she could climb! 
). In fact once she ran all the way over to the next suburb. She then promptly jumped on one of the buses and refused to get off. The poor bus driver had to take her home. Thank god we always register and tag our dogs!! Luckily for us as she got older and her hearing diminished the storms did not affect her so much.
Our current dog is much better. She just likes to follow you around and sit next to you when there's a storm. Much easier to handle.
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Therese
PennsylvaniaDog's ears are more sensitive. Many people also believe they are more sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. (Like the way our ears pop when we go up in an airplane only dogs are sensitive to smaller changes.)
The sound of thunder hurts their ears. The drop in air pressure that accompanies the storm front makes them uncomfortable and disorients them. Don't forget, to a dog, the sound of rain on the roof could sound like somebody dropping a box full of marbles on a wooden floor.
If you were as sensitive as a dog you probably wouldn't like thunderstorms either!
With all this negative stimulation, many times the dog's "fight or flight" instinct is kicked in.
Well, the dog can't fight a thunderstorm. She can't run away very far because she's inside the house. The best she can do is hide under the bed or something like that.
You can try desensitization therapy.
It's not hard but it takes a lot of patience over a period of time.
Find some noise she doesn't like that is similar to the sound of thunder. If you can find one of those sound effects CDs with the sound of a thunderstorm on it, that would fit the bill perfectly.
Play your sound effect (on the stereo) at a low volume. Just loud enough to hear but not loud enough to scare her.
Play with her. Pet her. Distract her from the sound. Continue for several minutes.
Then, when she doesn't expect it, turn the sound up a little bit. Keep playing and making nice with her.
Repeat this until you find the sound level that just starts to make her uncomfortable. Stop playing the sound effect but remember the level you were at. The game is over for today.
A few days later, repeat the "game" until you get up to the point where she got scared. Stop the game. Wait until another day.
A few days later, play the "game" again. This time try to inch the volume up a little higher.
Keep playing with her. Keep petting her. Keep making "nice" with her. Keep distracting her from the "bad sound."
After a couple of minutes, stop the game and wait till another day.
At first, you will only want to play the game for 5 or 10 minutes. On subsequent games, try to work her up to 15 minutes but do it gradually. Each time you play the game, try to inch the noise level up a little bit more. After you have done the game a half-dozen times, you should be able to play the noise at a fairly high level before she gets scared. You should be able to play for 10, 15 or even 20 minutes. After a while, you should be able to play the noise at maximum level and she should only be mildly uncomfortable.
The next time you have a real thunderstorm, make like you are playing the "noise game" like you always do. You should pet her, play with her, make nice with her and tell her what a good girl she is. After a while you should be able to ramp down the game and she should not be afraid anymore.
Be aware! This game could take a year or more to complete! Some dogs can do it in a few months. Other dogs never really learn. They can only be calmed down a little. Overall, most dogs can be trained to act "mostly normal" during storms over the duration of one season.
When I was a kid, we had a Schnauzer that was afraid of storms as a puppy. By the time he grew up he was mostly over it. Sometimes, when a big clap of thunder hit, he'd dive under the sofa but he'd come out in a few minutes.
This probably doesn't help you in the short term. This "noise game" takes a long time.
If she is in danger of hurting herself because of being scared of storms you could call the vet and have him give you some doggie tranquilizers. Keep a few of them on hand in case of an unexpected storm.
I don't normally like to use drugs unless it's 100% necessary. But, in this case, it's either give her drugs or risk her re-injuring her leg.
Bubble Up Bears!Hey Tami,
After the second time Herbie was stolen from me he became very afraid of people. This was not good because he was and is a service dog!! He has to go everywhere I go, market, restaurants, salons, car wash you name it there are people all over !!
And because he is a service dog wearing a jacket advertizing this people naturally navigate to him. He would freak every time someone came near the shopping cart!!! 
I found a product , all natural at the heath food store for pets in our town. It's called Calm Dog. It did not make him sleepy or groggy at all. It just made him relax. Once he was relaxed he was able to see not all people are evil. 
Good luck Tami and I hope Tiffani feels better when the next storm hits.
TeenytinyteddybearsI had a staffie that used to run through doors to get away from thunder. Closed ones. I used "rescue remedy" don't know if you get it under the same name there, but is a homeopathic tranc. It worked so well that within a short time we weaned him off of it and he was fine. My Dad used it on his staffie too, she also hated the car so going to the vet was difficult, but some rescue sorted that out too. Just watch the dosage though because Tiff is so little. http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm. Just had a look at the site now and they are making a alcohol free remedy for animals. Ok, my dog and I shared one bottle :crackup: :crackup: Good luck. It is horrible when they are scared.
Woodbury Park BearsHi Tami
I was given advise when my boys were little (1 yr) not to make a big deal out of a storm by running and closing doors or windows and paying attention to them it works to a degree when we do get a storm if I'm up they will come and sit very close (on my feet) and I just give them one little pat if it's the middle of the night I will get up to check on them and sit in the same place with them talking quietly until it passes and they are OK not happy but OK I think if the storm is loud enough to wake me up it must be really loud for them the cat is the one that heads for under the bed though. Hope Tiff is soon back to herself.
Raewyn
Jellybelly BearsFunny because our Westie/Maltese hates them, my little Papillon has learned to bark because his brother does. But alone, he's fine. I give them treats, and basically don't make a big deal of soothing them, they tend to learn that something is up if mum is babying them too much and act even worse lol. I think someone has mentioned putting the tv on loud...but if she is like our Spike, she hears it over anything! Have you tried telling her no? I know telling her off sounds like a mean thing to do, but sometimes firmness works...although I know, you just want to comfort them
We have hellacious storms here in July and August. When one hits you know where I find my lab??? Out in the middle of it. Any time it rains, he's out in it. Sorry, I can't give any advice.
Hugs,
Alison
Dolls N Dreamsthanks for the advice, I do turn up the tv and try to keep her calm, I have to lock her in a room because if I don't she runs up and down and all around barking, barking, barking.
This is our storm season in colorado, we will try and get through it.
I have seen that "Calm Dog" in the store, I might try that!
Tiff is doing great, she had her first SLOW leash walk yesterday for 50 yards. She is putting weight on that leg which is a great sign. And everything is great with the bootie after removing the anal sacs. She had to be on a high fiber diet the first week, but everything is back to normal now, I'm so glad we had those removed.
thanks all!
Past Time BearsOur Lhasa Apso dog is very afraid of storms. He was middle aged when we adopted him from our rescue organization (who got him off death row) 5 years ago, so he's pretty old now. He has a bad anxiety reaction at the slightest hint of rain coming, with barking, panting, tremors, etc. I tried the natural calming tablets, but they didn't work for him, so had to resort to prescription tranquilizers. They are small pills to begin with, but I divide them into quarters and 1/4 tablet seems to do the trick for him. It's terrible to watch a dog have that much fear, trembling, and horror . . . I feel I need to calm him the best and fastest way I can.
PennsylvaniaWith a dog being afraid of people that is a psychological problem. (If a dog can be said to have a human-like psyche.)
Thunderstorms are different because it is physiological and instinctive.
The noise from the thunder and rain HURTS!
The sudden drop in atmospheric pressure disorients the dog.
The dog's "fight or flight" instinct is activated.
This is visceral, not psychological like being afraid of people.
Cyndee's dog was, for all intents, abused by strangers. No wonder the dog became afraid!
Second, Cyndee's dog needs to be alert at all times. Tami's dog doesn't necessarily need to be alert during storms.
A light, natural tranquilizer might be called for in Cyndee's case. Tami's case is different. We're trying to prevent the dog from re-injuring its leg. Medicinal tranquilizers might be called for in Tami's case.
Now, mind you, I said before that I don't like to use drugs when it's not 100% necessary. However, in this case, I think it might be necessary. If you don't, the dog could injure its leg.
Again, I will say it, call the vet. He is a professional. He knows what to prescribe.
If you are concerned about giving the dog too much drugs, tell him. Ask him for a pill you can give in small doses.
Like SueAnn does. Give the dog 1/2 a pill. If that doesn't work you can give another half pill. That way you only give the dog as much drug as it needs and no more.
Ask the vet. It's his job to know these things. 
If you are on good terms with your vet you might be able to do this over the phone.
PS: You know what else?
I know you guys are going to jump all over me for this... But here goes!...
Try giving the dog a little beer.
<Dives under chair!>
For a small dog like yours, it won't take much. Maybe 1 ounce, max.
Angela's Bear GardenI never reacted to storms as if they were anything to be worried about. When a storm comes in, my dog looks at me for guidance, I just say it's nothing to worry about and he doesn't worry! My previous dogs were the same after a bit of training. I'm sure that every dog is different and some will be terrified very easily from any loud noises. I do find in many cases that dogs respond to the owners reaction to outside changes. If the owner is scared, the dog likely will be too. It's not rocket science though!
PennsylvaniaWhen a storm comes in, my dog looks at me for guidance, I just say it's nothing to worry about and he doesn't worry!
Smart dog!
Dolls N DreamsI called Tiffs Dr. and he said to just give her a 1/4 of one of her pain pills to calm her.
So I will try that before the next storm, we are suppose to have more thunder storms tonight 
PennsylvaniaExcellent!
If you do have a storm, take advantage of the opportunity to play the "noise game" for a while.
Why let a good opportunity go to waste? Eh? 
Bubble Up Bears!Glad to hear her leg and bottom are doing better!:)
I heard a vet give advice on the TV with regard to dogs and thunderstorms. He said they were afraid because of all the static electricity there is in the air when we have a thunderstorm. One remedy he suggested was to rub one of those dryer sheets all over the dogs body and it would reduce the static electricity You can also try Rescue Remedy which is available for humans and dogs. We have a Maltese and as a puppy he was never afraid but now that he is older he is very afraid!!!!
Hugs
Gail
Dolls N DreamsI heard a vet give advice on the TV with regard to dogs and thunderstorms. He said they were afraid because of all the static electricity there is in the air when we have a thunderstorm. One remedy he suggested was to rub one of those dryer sheets all over the dogs body and it would reduce the static electricity You can also try Rescue Remedy which is available for humans and dogs. We have a Maltese and as a puppy he was never afraid but now that he is older he is very afraid!!!!
Hugs
Gail
Hi, I remember reading that somewhere about the dryer sheets, I might try that sometime!!! We didnt have the storm they thought we would tonight...thank goodness!!!!
PennsylvaniaIf nothing else, your dog will smell "April Fresh" and be "Snuggly Soft!"
Our dog Charlie doesn't mind storms, but our neighbor's doberman is terrified of storms and fireworks. My neighbor gets some sort of drops from her vet to calm her dog.
