Should I be concerned........

[KAHLUA]

The oddest thing (or maybe not) is starting to happend with Kahula.  In the past 6 months, we've noticed that she's been more and more scared of storms and fireworks.  Note that up until that point she didn't show signs of being scared of either.  Also, note that she sleeps downstairs so if she was afraid we wouldn't have know.  Well, over the past 6 months we've noticed.  My daughter works the midnight shift and gets home about 3 or 4 in the morning.  She sees it more than we do. 

 

What I am worried about is that Saturday night, there was a huge thunder and lightening storm.  My daughter just happened to be up with Kahlua downstairs.  My daugther said she freaked out and just started pacing and barking and just very very skittish, then she peed on herself as if she was so scared.  My daughter cleaned her and the floor up and finally got her to settle down on the couch.

 

I just thought about something.   We had a crate for her and took it away as we never close the gate and she  has free rein of the downstairs with no problems.  Plus the crate took up a lot of space, and we thought she wouldn't mind.  Now I'm thinking we may have taken away her safe place?  I have to say that her crate was in the kitchen next to the window, so I would think (as a human) that she wouldn't like being in there, but thinking (as a dog) it might be somewhere she feels safe, no matter what is going on around her?

 

Anyone have any insights?  Suggestions? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Storms and fireworks don't seem to bother my 2 dooles as of yet. When I had Shih Tzus the storms and fireworks would bother my older dog Daisy to the point where she would get very nervous and skidish as well. Both Shih Tzus slept with me and my poor Daisy would wake me up so I could hold her and talk to her while the storm passed.

I am a big fan of crates, dogs are den animals and need a safe place to go when they are scared. I would maybe put here crate in a location that is away from windows or drape with with something that she would not see the flashes of lightenting or fireworks. Poor baby :(

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

Hudson is afraid of storms and fireworks too. He doesn't need to be crated, but we have a large crate for Lily and it is always open. If there is a storm or fireworks and Lily isn't in her crate, that is where Hudson immediately goes to feel safe.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Daisy was never fearful of storms but just recently she started (at 20 months). She doesn't pant and pace but she takes cover under my desk (where I usually am on DK). However, Daisy has always been fearful of other things...a box out of place,  garbage cans on trash day, a leaf blowing.

We moved Daisy's crate to our office, if she wants to be in it she goes, if not (which is the case during the hot summer months) she lays all over the house including her too small bed and too big bed and the cool kitchen floor.

I say put the crate back up, is there space in the basement where she is? Also members swear by the Thunder Shirt, she may need one.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I would say that she may feel more safe in her crate as well.  My girls feel more safe in their room than with free roam as that is what they are used to.  If she continues to be afraid of the storms you might try the "Thundershirt" which is made for anxiety for those types of things.  Many on here have used them with success.  They aren't real cheap, but worth every penny if it helps.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla retreats to her usual crate, downstairs, at times, for instance
if she thinks I'm about to groom her or chastise her etc. She also still spends time in her crate in my bedroom which is way too small for her. She likes to sleep in there for part of the night, it's comical to see. I leave it up because she likes i.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I would give her shelter where she is seeking it, If it is with a person then maybe in the closet as long as they are protected on all three sides. sometimes putting a blanket around the back and sides of the crate recreates the den feeling. We just had this type of discussion a couple of nights ago and our friends said that when the dogs start to feel this way get some bounce sheets and rub them all over their fur. It helps to disperse the static that thunder storms create. I would try a lavender scent as it is a calming scent. But they are strong smelling so maybe the scent free kind?

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

How about setting her crate back up and see if she is uses it during the storms