How to help a nervous dog?

[MothershipG]

My middle dog (of three) is of a nervous disposition regarding noises, fire works are a nightmare and he hates thunder.

As I type this he is huddled under the table panting in distress because it is raining heavily, a noise which he associates with the likely hood of thunder.

We've tried providing den like places but he can't settle in them, I've tried a DAP collar, valerian pills and those tight wraps that help some dogs, all with no success. We don't make a fuss of him so as not to reinforce the behaviour.

It's very upsetting seeing him this distressed but I've run out of ideas, any suggestions?

[GinPalace]

Can you get him a dog cage and fill it with cosy blankets and cover over with a heavy cloth which will reduce the noise and make him feel he is in a secure den? Include a hot water bottle to remind him of cosying up to mum for comfort?

[MothershipG]

Thanks Gin, the covered crate idea totally works for one of my other dogs that dislikes fireworks so it was one of the first things we tried, but he wont stay in if I leave it open and if I shut him in he just sits there panting, shaking and looking pitiful.

[GinPalace]

:(

oh dear. Can the vet prescribe any dog-valium type medicine?

[SnoopyKnine]

I would not recommend medication as many dogs still feel the fear but are too doped to do anything about it and can in the long run get much worse.

You could try the thundershirt - this seems to work a treat for some dogs but others not link here

Other things that you do need to do but be prepared as it will take time. Is desensitization. If you could get a recording and play it very very very quietly so that your dog is not reacting at all. Then feed him or play games with him whilst the recording is on. Gradually and very slowly turn up the volume but continue to feed him or play with him. Do this regularly every day if possible and very very very slowly each day increase the level that he can hear. IF he reacts turn the volume down a bit and try again. Although this takes time it will really help to build his confidence and make sounds less of an issue.

This is using a clicker which I would recommend as dogs tend to learn quicker but just rewarding the calm behaviour will also work.


This CD may help if it has the sounds on it your dog is sensitive too scary sounds cd

[noinspiration]

Talking of clickers, if he as nervous as mine he will be terrified of the clicker. Get one with 2 volumes, and start on the low volume as the normal setting may send him across the fields in a panic. The best way to get him over clicker fear is to click treat click treat one of the other dogs in front of him, then try with him (never force it), for short sessions every day. Eventually he'll get there.

I'm not convinced of the use of a clicker for a really fearful dog though. Mine ignores it when he is stressed.

[SnoopyKnine]

If he is frightened of the clicker you can use a word eg "Yes" . This works well if you say it with feeling!

[MothershipG]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Snoopy I've tried something similar to the thunder shirt but it made no difference to him. Interestingly he is not bothered about firework noises if they are on the tv so I'm not sure a cd would do the trick, who knew rain does count as a scary sound? But I think this might be our best bet.

noinspiration He's fine with a clicker! I've done some clicker work with him, he's much slower on the uptake than my other 2, but knows the clicker means tasty treats so he's more than happy to hear that click.

He's a funny old stick, not at all timid in the park around other dogs, but certain specific noises turn him into a wreck!

[Scuttlebutter]

One of our elderly dogs is very frightened of fireworks. There is an excellent and very useful factsheet from the BSAVA here which discusses the main treatments, both short and long term and the issues to consider.

On Guy Fawkes night, NYE and a couple of other evenings we use a Diazepam med for our girl and it has helped considerably. Snoopy's point about the meds applies to ACP, as discussed on the factsheet above, and our vet (and most others, I think) would no longer prescribe it for that reason.

You can also consider actually physically getting away. If you live in a very urban environment, it may be helpful on Bonfire NIght, NYE etc to try to spend some time in a place that is quieter and more rural. We've done this, especially in the run up to Bonfire NIght and it has been very successful.

Locally, the police have got much better about cracking down on firework usage before the main Guy Fawkes night and we've had some success in making sure that every occurrence is reported via 101 (non emergency number). Last year, I was actually delighted with how little random noise there was outside the expected main nights.

Finally, I think the factsheet actually makes the v important point that some modern fireworks are so loud that a fear reaction shoudn't be regarded as a phobic response, but as a completely understandable reaction to what is a very very loud bang.

One other point to mention - if you have more than one dog, it can be helpful if the fearful dog can see another dog being calm and chilled out. We have three dogs - one is v fearful, one is completely chilled out, and the third gets a bit cross when there are lots of loud bangs but isn't actually fearful. We make sure fearful dog can see all of us (including other dogs), can hide away if she wishes, or can have a gentle cuddle if required.