When Summer comes, it brings thunderstorms. The symptoms of storm phobias in dogs can be mild to extreme. Examples of symptoms are panting, pacing, tembling, remaining near owner, salivation, vocalization, destructive behavior, indoor elimination, and self trama. Many dogs that have storm phobia will also have seperation anxiety.
There are four methods to adressing storm phobia. Methods are used seperately and in conjunction. Methods are medication, phermones, behavior modification,and enviromental intervention.
Medications must be administered before the onset of the stimuli (the storm). Sedatives, anxioytics, and anti depressents are commonly used. They can be used as needed or some pets can start medication at the start of storm season. Common side effects are sedation, loss of coordination, and resistance.
Pheromones are species-specific chemical substances that effect behavoir.
Dog appearing phermone, or DAP, is a synthetic analog of appeasing phermone secreted during nursing. It has been studied and has been shown effective for firework phobia and seperation anxiety. Is is thought to be able to work with storm phobia as well. It comes in a diffuser or collar.
Behavior Modifaction (BM)
There are two types of BM protocols for storm phobia. Type one helps the dog engage in rewardable behavior. The owner should ask the dog to perform a known command such as ’sit’ or ‘down’, then reward it during the storm. Be careful not to reinforce the unacceptable behavior by speaking in soft tones, patting, etc, to console the pet. Sounds of the storm CD can be used to densentize. Enviromental Interventions are useful in a storm. Sequestering the dog in a darkened room and playing loud music to block sounds may also help.
We can help your pet tolerate storms. Feel free to ask for our help.
Densentization CD: Sounds Scary, Soundtherapy4pets.com
