Storms!

Hi all, I have a 2 year old American Staffy x Bull Mastiff. In the last 6 months he has become absolutely terrified of storms (just the thunder) and fireworks, to the point where he has 3 times now broken his way through my timber gates. I live in Brisbane (Queensland, Australia), and we are approaching our storm season and it's not uncommon to have 4 or 5 storms a week with lots of thunder and lightning, so I really need to figure something out for him. Has anybody else had this issue? And if so, how did you get around it? Any advice would be great, as the last thing I want is to come home to see Keno missing.

Thanks

Hi &

Welcome to the staffordshire bull terrier niceboard. We are pleased you have decided to join us, and hope you enjoy your stay. We hope to see plenty of pictures of your staffordshire bull terriers or any other breed you may have in your household

If you would like to enter your dog(s), puppy(s) or another pet(s) you may have into our Monthly Competition, voting starts on the 20th of every month, if you are lucky your dog maybe placed on our Hall Of Fame page on our website.

Just one last thing before you look around could you please just have a quick look At This Poll, we would love to know how you found us.

Here are some links that will get you started with the website:-

Please read the Forum Rules before you start posting.
Here are a list of Tutorial & FAQs that will help you around the forum.
You can ask for help here if you are having trouble doing something on the forum.
If you have any ideas to improve the forum please let us know Your Feedback Here.
We have a Website with alot of information if you would like to view it.

Hiya and welcome, there are products you can get for this sort of thing but I'm affraid I haven't had to use any. Nor do we get the storms that you guys encounter. I'm sure one of our 'over the sea's' members can give you some more advice.

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. She is scared of thunder and loud noises as well. She stays indoors when we are gone. This may sound weird but play a video on the TV or the computer of a storm so that she can get used to the noise. It helps if you are around so she will feel more comfortable.

Also I'd think about getting her a crate and keeping her indoors if you can. At least until this isn't an issue anymore.

Hi & welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you're having problems with loud noises (storms/fireworks). I know that a member here, Vanessa, has a dog (Jethro) who is very bad with storms - she's also in Australia - and she tried a Thundershirt. It took a couple of days or so, but I think it helped a lot.

You could also try a DAP Diffuser, which helps some dogs to stay calm, or even some Rescue Remedy.

A crate is a possibilty, but if he really goes crazy in a storm then he might try to fight his way out of it, and could injure himself.

As a last result you could get some sedatives from the vet, but this would only be a short term help - for example if you used them together with a Thundershirt or DAP Diffuser.

I like all the ideas above, playing the sound of a storm, quietly at first, throughout your daily routine will probably help as you can always stop if it gets too much for him. It will help to desensatise him, I would also try out Caryll's suggestions I have never personally used a DAP diffuser but apparently they are great. I have used rescue remedy before and find it beneficial, hopefully one of our other Australian members might have more tips and tricks.

http://www.thundershirt.com/

hi Hewie. Yes the thundershirt has worked for me and Jethro when there are storms. Well worth a try.Jethro could actually have done with the next size down of the thundershirt, as they need to be measured before ordering, but as long as it is a snug fit. It is an amazing idea.....It has certainly helped him ( and me!! )



plus I used rescue remedy drops too with success ( the human ones ) Before the thundershirt I also got some promax tablets from the vet, and if I knew there was going to be a bad storm I would give Jethro quarter or half a tablet, he would sleep mostly through the storm.( cheating I know, but it was worth it, for his AND my peace of mind!! )

Thanks for your feedback everyone

I have ordered him a DAP collar, and the vet has given me some medication to help. I like the idea of the storm blanket, and I'll give that a go if the collar is no good. I'll keep you updated

Thanks again

hope it works for you!

trust me..I have spent many a sleepless night with Jethro when a storm has been raging.......

My vet has a firework consultation, Ledger is very nervous of fireworks etc and they lent me a desensitisation dvd which has different firework noises then a full display, the same with thunder and lightning then a few mins of guns shots at the end after 30 secs of looking oddly at the tv he slept through the rest of the dvd and still goes crazy when a random firework goes off nearby.

There is a big display planned near me on Saturday night so going to see how he fares with the constant noise of a display and figure whether DAP diffuser/collar will be needed for halloween/firework season.

we can be watching tv shows and there are gun shots going off in all directions...Jethro couldn't care less... but as we live in the farming area we get the odd gun shots..and Jethro knows the difference don't worry!! Even though sometimes it is way in the distance... he hears it!!