A Look Behind Your Dogs Fear of Thunderstorms
Anxiety in dogs is a relatively familiar concern that has besieged the poor animals and their worried owners alike. Unfortunately, unlike their human counterpart, dogs cannot articulate these fears and can only express themselves through harmful and destructive behavior. Because of unreasonable and very often gripping dog fears, many of the victims dig through walls and floors until they are bleeding in an attempt to get away from their source of fear.
A common phobia is fear of thunderstorms. If this sounds like your pet, check with your vet concerning the most helpful treatment you can utilize. You can avail of pharmaceutical medications that can facilitate this condition. However, understand that these will not cure the root of the phobia as most medications serve to only tranquilize and relax your dog.
Because drugs and ingested chemicals may be harmful to the dogs system, it is best to work with natural methods first. This article will discuss various methods you can try on how to treat dog fears without using medicine.
Playing relaxing music is one of the easiest ways to ease anxiety in dogs. Music therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce the stress levels of human beings as well as animals. Five minutes of harp music will noticeably calm the dog; ten to twenty minutes more of a soothing melody will bring him to a state of deeper relaxation.
Applying a body wrap to dogs have been said to also help dispel the nervous energy in the animal. The constant and maintained pressure that the wrap lends, quiets the nerve receptors of the restless canine. You can use T-shirts or any stretch fabrics to hug the dogs torso firmly in place. Bind the dog before he tenses up so he will not associate the wrap with the phobia.
Counter conditioning is a technique many dog behaviorists use in training animals. This is done by displacing the source of fear with another situation which has been proven to get a favorable reaction from the dog. For instance, you are simulating a thunderstorm at home. Begin very softly with the sound of thunder. As the intensity of the volume subtly grows, feed the dog his favorite doggie treats to keep him distracted.
If these do not work, a natural supplement that improves this phobia is melatonin. Melatonin is an over the counter medication people use to treat insomnia. When the proper dosage is administered to the canine, he remains awake but has distinctly stopped being fearful. Be aware though, that there are differing manufacturers so the quality and dosage one should mete out will differ. Consult your veterinarian before you proceed.
The fear of thunderstorms that dogs exhibit varies in degree. Some people say that rescued dogs may be more susceptible to this because many have been traumatized severely in the past. Schedule regular check-ups with your vet for disturbances in your dogs behavior to accurately diagnose and treat the problem.
A common phobia is fear of thunderstorms. If this sounds like your pet, check with your vet concerning the most helpful treatment you can utilize. You can avail of pharmaceutical medications that can facilitate this condition. However, understand that these will not cure the root of the phobia as most medications serve to only tranquilize and relax your dog.
Because drugs and ingested chemicals may be harmful to the dogs system, it is best to work with natural methods first. This article will discuss various methods you can try on how to treat dog fears without using medicine.
Playing relaxing music is one of the easiest ways to ease anxiety in dogs. Music therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce the stress levels of human beings as well as animals. Five minutes of harp music will noticeably calm the dog; ten to twenty minutes more of a soothing melody will bring him to a state of deeper relaxation.
Applying a body wrap to dogs have been said to also help dispel the nervous energy in the animal. The constant and maintained pressure that the wrap lends, quiets the nerve receptors of the restless canine. You can use T-shirts or any stretch fabrics to hug the dogs torso firmly in place. Bind the dog before he tenses up so he will not associate the wrap with the phobia.
Counter conditioning is a technique many dog behaviorists use in training animals. This is done by displacing the source of fear with another situation which has been proven to get a favorable reaction from the dog. For instance, you are simulating a thunderstorm at home. Begin very softly with the sound of thunder. As the intensity of the volume subtly grows, feed the dog his favorite doggie treats to keep him distracted.
If these do not work, a natural supplement that improves this phobia is melatonin. Melatonin is an over the counter medication people use to treat insomnia. When the proper dosage is administered to the canine, he remains awake but has distinctly stopped being fearful. Be aware though, that there are differing manufacturers so the quality and dosage one should mete out will differ. Consult your veterinarian before you proceed.
The fear of thunderstorms that dogs exhibit varies in degree. Some people say that rescued dogs may be more susceptible to this because many have been traumatized severely in the past. Schedule regular check-ups with your vet for disturbances in your dogs behavior to accurately diagnose and treat the problem.
About the Author:
Fear of thunderstorms is one of the numerous forms of anxiety in dogs dog owners have been attempting to find the answers to. Delve deep into your beloved canine's most misunderstood dog fears and set him free by downloading Geraldine Dimarco's informative articles here.
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