Fear of thunder storms?

Our last Staff, Bree, was always terrified of thunder storms even the the point of when it started to rain heavy she'd start panting heavily and shaking etc., She was scared of fireworks, staple gun, bubble wrap - everything.

With our new 10 mth old boy Milo we obviously don't want the same fears to start.

I know if theres a storm coming we're to act normal and calm and not fuss him etc etc.....Is this 'all' we have to do or is there some other ways to ensure he doesn't pick up on anything?

He's been in the back garden when a few fireworks went off a couple of nights back. I was talking to my neighbour and we completely ignored them and altho he pricked up his ears & stood stiff he soon calmed down and carried on sniffing around the garden.

Just ignore it like nothing has happened if he's scared of something otherwise you will encourage fear/ unwanted behaviour.

Yeah that's what I thought - so I'll just carry on as if nothing happened. Thankyou   

Milo's fine in the storms we've been having the past few nights - just pricks up his ears then back to sleep. So relieved

That's good. Bodes well for bonfire night  

shegsy wrote:That's good. Bodes well for bonfire night  

I know - I'm so relieved as I say. I love storms and fireworks and with having grandchildren it'll be nice to enjoy them instead of dreading them.

Poor Bree used to get in a really awful state if she even heard a paper bag pop.At times I thought she'd have heart failure. Saying that though I could walk her past a gun club and she wouldn't turn a hair or if a noisy motorbike went past she was a bit bothered. It's so strange how a dog's brain works regarding these things isn't it.

Stella is terrified of.....flies. Not outside but if any manage to get in the house she gets stressed to hell. It's the noise that gets to her when they hit the window. Mind saying that, I think she is turning a little deaf, as this year she has'nt heard them, as she sleeps thru all their buzzing, giving me time to kill them before she wakes up  

Aren't they funny. I used to have a collie cross Whippet who was so sweet but she was the same with flies and it all boiled down to me (yes me again) being terrified of wasps. If I heard a fly I'd think it was a wasp coming to kill me and I used to panic - hence poor little Trixie picked up on it and became paranoid too. Just shows how we can affect our dogs (not saying your scared of wasps tho)   

We were out walking last week when the thunder and lightning started. It got closer and closer and Bacchus didn't bat an eyelid, but when the rain started he couldn't wait to get home.

My last two were terrified too of thunder storms, fireworks and most loud noises.
Am the same as you Jenny, worried that Toots will be the same. So far so good, we've had really loud storms here the last 2 nights and she's been fine.
Must get round to ordering the cd you can get to play the thunder sounds.
Think you play it very low then build up the sound.   

silver wrote:My last two were terrified too of thunder storms, fireworks and most loud noises.
Am the same as you Jenny, worried that Toots will be the same. So far so good, we've had really loud storms here the last 2 nights and she's been fine.
Must get round to ordering the cd you can get to play the thunder sounds.
Think you play it very low then build up the sound.   

Awww glad to hear that Annie - Toots is sooooo sweet. I bought the firework CD for Milo and played it while I was ironing. He slept right through it even at full volume. I didn't think the loud bangs were the same as real fireworks going off but the whistling of rockets was good and the crackle.

reuben wrote:We were out walking last week when the thunder and lightning started. It got closer and closer and Bacchus didn't bat an eyelid, but when the rain started he couldn't wait to get home.

Haha they really don't like the rain much do they