How To Help Your Dog’s Storm Phobias
Many dogs that fear storm activity also fear other spiky percussive noises, such as gunfire, explosion balloons, or low frequency sounds from a sound system capable of rattling the windows. Since storm noises originate outside, any attempts to imitate storm noises or other loud sounds should originate there. These can be tested and used with a practice which involves a single hand clap, followed instantly by praise and introduction of some toy or other incentive the dog connected with happiness.
These staged performances must be continual until the dog acts pleased in reaction to loud noises, without use of the above routine. After this phase, it is still suitable to follow the similar steps necessary for dogs that do not react to staged percussion. If gunfire is to be used in these sessions, the shells used have to be hand-loaded, low-powder blanks. The gun should be fired outdoors into thick, soft material, such as an old pillow. Only adults experienced with firearms should be implicated. Also, neighbors should be forewarned of training sessions.
If the dog does not react to attempts at recreating storm sounds, the solution becomes more tricky, as one cannot summon up storms at will. Nevertheless, one can watch the weather forecasts vigilantly and make planning at least 3-4 hours before a storm is due. This long lead time is needed since many phobic dogs start to show nervousness as falling barometric pressure indicates approaching storms. In these situations, the training schedule must be applied at the first sign of nervousness in the dog, and then reapplied until the dog shows positive behavior instead of the former anxiety, without any need for the schedule.
Sedatives: If the owner cannot be present to apply these actions before and during storms, sedatives and tranquilizers may be used to decrease the dog’s anxiety. Nevertheless, without behavioral therapy, such drugs have not been efficient over the long term.
Desensitizing With Sound and Light: Although numerous authorities have suggested playing low-level thunder recordings and slowly increasing the volume as the dog accommodates to it, others in this field have not been successful with this method. For years trainers have tried using recordings of thunder, coupled with flashing strobe lights, without success. This is perhaps because of 2 factors unique to storms. First is the lack of barometric pressure changes. Second is lack of the intense (to the dog) percussive effects of low-volume thunder recordings.
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