Hello there furry good readers,
We (the Dog Woods Pack) interrupt this blue bandanna series of photo posting with an query.
Donny boy - the latest addition to the Dog Woods Pack is a picky eater to start with. He's been eating quite well lately and putting on some weight until the last few days of rain. So yes, you could say Donny's eating habits is dictated by the weater. He gets terribly anxious and won't touch his food even before the rain arrives - thanks to the Canine's super hearing! What's worst is that in our neck of the woods, the wet weather is usually accompanied by thunder and lightening of varying degree of violence.
We think he's anxiety affects his stomach and his appetite. Not knowing Donny's history we haven't a clue how his fear of rain began - maybe he was abandoned when it was raining? The Chief found him when it was drizzling slightly and he was more than eager to follow her home.... but we digress, this (him not eating) goes on well after any storms. Today it rained in the morning - so he didn't eat his breakfast. And this evening it rained again, so he didn't even touch his dinner.
Of course, we happily gain from him not eating. More share of delicious home cooked food! We could happily ignore Donny's problem but he being one of the Pack now, we're somewhat concerned.
What we want to know - or rather the Chief ... is there any way that she could help Donny overcome his fear for storms and eat even when its thundering out there! She's tried giving him cuddles, putting him in cosy, confined spaces, rubbing him down (which he loves - seems he likes the brush as much as the TOP DOG!), even hand feeding him but to no avail.
Any suggestions would be much much appreciated! :)
Oh dear. My Grandpa Angus the Airedale had a most powerful fear of storms. He would try to go up the chimney or behind the toilet and knocked lots of things over. We had to give him doggie valium which at least kept him calm enough not to hurt himself.
ReplyDeleteSlobbers,
Mango
P.S. I left an award for Tuffy on my blog
My Monty was afraid of storms, too. He wouldn't eat if there was a storm in the area. We also used Valium, but he eventually outgrew his need for it unless it was such a big storm that the whole house shook.
ReplyDeleteMy khousin Merdie The GoldenDoofTriever gets furry anxious when it storms with thunder/lightning...her peeps get doggie downers from the vet but if she's here, my mom gives her a benadryl thingie - it takes her edge off and turns her into a speed bump to walk around.
ReplyDeleteSome khanines do get rev'ed up on benadryls...our khween Meeshka turns into The Tazmanian Devil akhkhording to her Human Woman...
Sometimes we read that some of this storm anxiety should be somewhat ignored so as to not reinforce it but that seems khruel...
I'm sure woo will get some helpful advice from your readers!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Oh noosss! But we have LOADS of RAIN in our neck of the woods. The Chief is worried. If this is how he is reacting (i.e. not eating) in the HOT season (with mere scattering of showers that is accompanied by some thunder and lightning) what about the MONSOON season when it rains EVERY SINGLE DAY?!? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear ...
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I don't have an advice for this.
ReplyDeleteI hope with time Donny will understand that nothing bad will happen to him with thunders.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
We are really sorry to read about Donny's anxiety because it will rain. We dont much like thunder and lightning but dont really notice the rain too much.
ReplyDeleteWhen we have thunder our mum makes sure there is music on and tries to just act like normal. Like Khyra she has also read some stuff about reinforcing the fear by being extra nice - then Donny will know he is right to be worried!
We guess trying to be normal and perhaps trying distraction!
Sorry we know it is easier said than done and it is very upsetting when your dog is anxious - he will have to get used to it - perhaps the vet could help with a little sedation if nothing else works.
love and kisses
Martha & Bailey xx
Being nice sounds like good advice.
ReplyDeleteWizz :-)
i don't know - but you might talk to golden luke's mom - Luke has powerful fear of the storms - his mom got some special jammies for him - something about the static electricity or something - too complicated for me - but contact Luke - see what he does
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm. I've gotta fess up. This sounds like me. But I'm slowly getting better. Like Donny, I don't eat when I'm upset. And I puke. The first rain (and thunder) I had to endure shortly after I was adopted about sent me through the wall. They were at night. Mom literally laid on top of me, basically hog-tied me. I couldn't budge. And it wasn't comfortable. Now I'm better. I still don't like it, but Mom sort of ignores me and calmly says, "It's okay. It's rain. And it's thunder." I stay near her (or the Girl) and I'm getting a little calmer. As for the food, since I get pukey but still need to eat something, Mom gives me a teeny little bit of my favorite food. Like a treat. Not a meal. And she gives me more every hour or so. That seems to be working. I'll eat one bite (but not a meal.) Slowly slowly I'm getting less reactive.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Hang in there. Keep us posted.
Jake (and Fergi)
Mmmmm.. this is a hard question. I Momo eats whenever, whatever.. :D Thunder & smoke detector are very VERY scary thingies for me, Pinot. I would hide under my dad's desk if that happens but mmmm.. I still eat my food.
ReplyDeleteMomo & Pinot
wes lost one of our friends because of thunder so it can be seriouse cause in panic we can travels miles an miles so gets lost. one things, our humans mustnt hug, kiss an treat us when were being scard or they reenforce our fears. they have to ignore us, only make fus ifs were being brave. Ok I dont have to like this but its fact. make fus, we must be right to be scard. whens theres not storms around we can listen to tapes and disks to desentise us. Ailsa got caugth in a slamming door. then when its windy she wouldnt go into house but would go in dog yard. cause dog yard not got doors. but then she got scard of wind anyweres she was. as she had linked the wind as being scary not the door thats hurt her. see static, thunder, rain thers all conected in Donnys mind. unlink one the rest will follow.
ReplyDeleteMy mom always says " oh, my gosh,whats that?" in a really happy voice, when it thunders, and then we go to the window and look for it, but I can never find it. then she says "who wants treats" and I snack while it storms. I don't know what to do about when you know a storm is coming before your people. I heard there are these calming jackets you can wear. And I heard that you can buy cd's of thunder to help get used to it...
ReplyDeleteoh, my - I hope you get better about it.
your pal, Morgan
Our Ceilidh gets really upset when we get the occasional thunder. We always have the radio on and allow her access to her crate. We try not to make a fuss if her as it only seems to make her more worried.
ReplyDeletexx
Hi guys!
ReplyDeleteI'm just stopping by to let you know that Scooby & Lady have set a date fur their wedding. Stop by my blog to see how to RSVP if you would like to attend.
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx
PeeS - Have you tried rescue remedy?
They do say that one of the things you should do is ignore the behavior, the more attention you give him, the more likely he is to think he should be upset. We use Rescue Remedy for Phantom when he is bothered. Most of the time he just prefers to go to his crate - he doesn't eat then either. But when he is hungry, he does eat.
ReplyDeleteWoos, the OP Pack
Sorry to hear that Donny is too afraid to eat. I'm afraid of fireworks and those go off all the time where I live. I hope he soon learns that he'll he's safe no matter what the weather is like outside.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't have any suggestions. Although Kess is afraid of the thunderstorms, it doesn't stop her from eating! Hope Donny will get over this fear. Maybe you could try writing in to one of the dog experts or magazines.
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteOur mom's read in some books that essential oils may help.. we googled it and found this site http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/bell3.html
We have not pawsonally tried it but it's no harm giving it a read. Our mom burns essential oils quite a lot at home, mostly lavender if it's in the bedroom because she thinks it gives her (and us) better sleep.
Good luck with Donny!!
My mom gives Lilly some all natural sedatives when she gets upset (which is all the time). I think it is worth a try!
ReplyDeleteHey guys we need your help!
Mom is gonna start volunteering at the doberman rescue group. What if she brings one home. I'm afraid.!! Are they nice??
O my dear Donny, I know exactly how you feel bout the storm. My the Mom lovinly call me NBDB (what is short for nervous break down boy) when I in fit of anxiety.
ReplyDeleteMy the Mom try all manner of ways of helpin me, and as you have been told yes, yes, yes I have two pair of jammies what I wear on the stormy days. They help some but I would lie to you if I said it work 100%.
I will look for your email address and me and the Mom will send you email of all things we have tried.
I will also soon be takin lessons from bee-haviorist though I not sure what bees got to do wif the thunder. Will let you know, though!
Will close (for now) but wif my most important tip. If you don't have it already, have your the Mom provide you wif dark cozy safe place for you to bunker. I got several... two bafrooms and a kennel wif a quilt that covers entire thing. Don't know if it will help you... but Luke need bunker bad!
wif much love and empaffy from the Luke