How Prevalent is Dog Anxiety for Thunder
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| Typical fear stance: ears back, whites of the eyes are evident, head lowered and back hunched. |
A dog anxiety survey of 2000 dog owners found that approximately 13% of dogs suffer from noise phobias.
Yet of those surveyed, only one third of the respondents whose dogs exhibited symptoms had sought any treatment or professional advice to manage their dog's condition.
Furthermore the Bristol survey found that 50% of owners did not recognize that behaviors they reported in response to loud noises were in fact fear related symptoms.
Here are three effective treatments for reducing canine anxiety caused by fireworks, gunshots and thunderstorms.
Dog Anxiety Symptoms
Dogs with noise phobias may manifest a variety of dog anxiety symptoms. Symptoms may be obvious, such as panting, pacing, barking, trembling or shaking, seeking human company or hiding under beds, in bathtubs and behind furniture.
Less obvious anxiety symptoms that are often misread include increased salivation, licking, urinating or defecating indoors and in some cases destructive behavior including; carpet and upholstered furniture digging and scratching at doors or walls. In severe cases of noise phobia, dogs may become aggressive resulting growling and biting behavior.
Some breeds, like the gun dogs, (labs and spaniels) tend to have a higher tolerance for loud noises, while other breeds, such as the border collie, have a high incidence of noise phobia, suggesting there is a genetic component to noise sensitivity.
As dogs age, their sensitivity to noise may increase, and negative experiences such as being outdoors during a thunderstorm can create new phobias where one never before existed.
While we can’t control thunderstorms and fireworks, we can take steps to manage our dog’s reaction to the noise stimuli and reduce their anxiety level. These steps can include removing the dog from the stimuli, natural anti-anxiety medications and easy massage therapy. Any combination of these approaches can be applied.
Quick Fix: Remove the Dog From The Stimulus
In instances where we can predict the dog will react to a threatening sound, such as Fourth of July fireworks, we can insulate the dog from the sound. Basements without windows are the best area of the house to contain the dog. If the room you select does have windows, close the blinds so he can’t see the bursts of fireworks or lightning which he will have already associated with a corresponding explosion. Turn on music loud enough to drown out the sound of fireworks.
This is a short term fix; for a long term solution you will need to employ counter conditioning, teaching the dog to be okay with the noises they fear.
Homeopathic Remedy: Melatonin for Dogs with Fear of Thunder and Loud Noises
Melatonin has produced dramatic results for some dogs with fear of thunder. Melatonin is available over the counter; it is a naturally occurring neuro-hormone, with a number of veterinary uses because of its sedative properties.
Melatonin has been shown to help regulate sleep disorders for older dogs, and can help dogs adjust to stressful situations including separation anxiety and noise phobias. Dogs treated with melatonin prior to a thunderstorm remain awake, alert and relaxed. They do not appear to be reacting to the thunderstorm at all.
Some dogs can actually permanently overcome their noise phobias with treatment on Melatonin.
Some dogs can actually permanently overcome their noise phobias with treatment on Melatonin.
Proper dosage for a 40-50 pound dog is 3 mg (that is the human adult dose). For small dogs under 30 pounds 1.5 mg and for large dogs over 100 pounds up to 6 mg. These doses may be administered 3 times daily as necessary.
Melatonin Pros:
- Effective anti-anxiety medication for canine separation anxiety and noise phobias
- Antioxidant properties may control free radicals
- May help in controlling epileptic seizures
- May aid in the treatment of Canine Cushings Disease.
- Balances sleep disorders, and allows dogs to sleep through the night
Melatonin Side effects
- May affect female reproductive cycle or make her unreceptive to males
- Possible drug interactions can occur with medications which the dog is already taking such as sedatives, steroids and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- In rare cases some dogs may become excessively lethargic or increasingly nervous
T Touch Massage and The Thunder Shirt for Anxiety
The Thunder Shirt has been proven to reduce the anxiety of many dogs. Its technology is based on the work of Linda Tellington-Jones and her T Touch Therapy.
The Tellington TTouch is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands on areas all over the dog’s body. The intent of the TTouch is to change the brain waves of the dog by activating “cellular intelligence.” Additionally, endorphins are believed to be released by the massage technique. Awakening cellular intelligence sounds like hocus pocus, but the therapy does work to help adjust behavioral problems and calm cats, dogs and horses.
According to the TTouch website, “Using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. Allowing the animal to be handled without provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more appropriate behaviors.”
If nothing else, TTouch builds a better rapport between owner and pet, ultimately increasing trust and building self-confidence in the animal.
TTouch can help in cases of:
- Chewing
- Excessive Barking
- Jumping Up
- Leash Pulling
- Extreme Fear or Shyness
- Aggressive Behavior
Here Linda Tellington-Jones demonstrates the TTouch method. It's simple and looks relaxing.
The ThunderShirt
ThunderShirt works by applying gentle pressure to the dog’s body, similar to swaddling an infant. This pressure produces a soothing effect. In fact, the TTouch trainers often use ace bandages wrapped around the dog for an additional calming effect during training sessions.
Some experts believe that ThunderShirt helps the body to naturally release endorphins, and 80% of users report benefits to using ThunderShirt for noise and separation anxiety.
Before using the ThunderShirt, the manufacturer recommends you use the Thundershirt as a placemat for your dog’s food bowl. Introducing the ThunderShirt in conjunction with food should make the dog more comfortable with the new apparel. It can be worn all day while you are a work, and is machine washable.
How to put on the ThunderShirt - Easy as 1,2,3
The ThunderShirt does come with a 45 day guarantee. If the shirt does not produce results, you can return it for your full money back.
ThunderShirts can now be purchased in a variety of fashion colors and patterns. Consider combining them with Melatonin treatments to desensatize your dog to thunderstorms and fireworks.