My pekepoo is having anxiety issues with the tropical storm strength winds we are experiencing. She wants my complete attention, but I can't do anything that seems to soothe her enough. She will lie beside me on the couch for a few minutes, but then she is back on the floor, tail dragging, and staring up at me. If only I knew what would satisfy her. She is not a cowardly dog. Storms are the only thing that seem to frighten her. Should I give her some Benedryl?
No. Just leave her be. It is not going to hurt her; she is just uncomfortable mentally. She will learn to cope with it.
If you pet her and try to soothe her you are rewarding the fearful behavior.
I've only had one dog that was terrified of storms. We finally just let him find a place he was most comfortable (usually in the corner of the bath that had no windows) and he would come out later and be just fine.
Posts: 5968 | Location: North MN & Northern AR | Registered: Oct 01, 2002
In my pet stores there are Thundershirts which wrap the dog and make them feel more secure. Some people really like them. They come in a variety of sizes from tiny to extra extra large.
Posts: 2546 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Feb 25, 2006
I've heard about thundershirts. In this part of Louisiana, she could spend the majority of her little life in a thundershirt!!! It's strange. I've taken her out in the back yard to do her business several times today and she seems better out in the storm (mostly strong winds right now) than in the house. And I just opened the front door to go out and check the mail, and she bolted out (which she never did before). I was chasing her around the neighborhood when the young man who lives two houses down came to my rescue. She ran right up to him when he called! Now we're back in the house and she's complaining again.
I too have been considering the Thundershirt for my "cowardly" dog. An acquaintance of mine highly recommended it - her lab has issues - but I haven't had a chance to pick one up.
For now, she is most comfortable with a hiding spot. An old sweatshirt fell behind the couch and that is what she prefers. As long as she has a place to hide, she gets over the storm.
I didn't need the Weather Channel to know when Isaac was no longer an issue in my vicinity. All of a sudden, late yesterday evening, Phoebe was on the couch napping. Today she is in her usual spot on the back of the couch looking out the picture window. Doggies are good barometers.
