Storm Phobias

Here They Come ... !Storm Phobias !!!

These natural weather conditions are one of the most common behavioral problems dog owners face, but their cause is entirely clear.

Some dogs even start to pace and whine half an hour or more before a storm. They may be reacting to a sudden drop in air pressure or the electrical charge of the air.

Behaviorists are not yet sure what part of the storm frightens scared dogs most, whether they're reacting to lightning flashes, the sound of thunder, wind blowing around the house, or the sound of rain on the roof.

Changes in the barometric pressure, the loud crack of thunder, the sounds of wind and hard rain, and flashes of lightning can all cause fearful reactions.

Lightning flashes in Tel Aviv by Oren Peles

Panting, pacing, drooling, quivering, and trying to hide are some of the signs your dog can developed as part of fear of storms.

In some cases, dogs that have no issues with storms develop a fear later in life.

Here you have some things and tips you can do if your dog is thunderstorm phobic.

"First thing to do is don’t show any signs of being upset with your dog."

*-Maintain a cool and level head yourself.

*-Use a cheerful voice, don’t act afraid.

Even though you may not like your dog drooling on you and shedding large amounts of hair from Stress,(shedding to poodles don’t happen)

For many dogs who are afraid of storms, offering a safe “den like” place is the best solution.

Cover the dog’s crate with a sheet, or give your dog access to a room with no windows such as a bathroom.

You can also reduce the sound of the storm by turning on the television or radio and moving to a room that is quiet.

Try an activity that can distract your dog such as ball play or another favorite indoor activity.

It is a good idea to use a CD of thunderstorm noises to desensitize your dog to storm sounds

Finally, in extreme cases of storm phobias where the dog can actually get hurt, it may be necessary to talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of medication.

!!!!"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."!!!!- Unknown

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