calming frightened dog

[TsPoet]

OK, I'm desperate maybe someone here can help.
I got a rescue dog ~7 months ago. She is very timid and afraid of a lot of things. Most notably wind ?!
The windy season is starting here. It was ~15 mph last night and I got no sleep, this poor baby paced and whined and pawed at me all night. Tonight the prediction is 45 mph winds.
Nothing I do seems to calm her. This has happened every time it has been windy for the last 7 months. I totally don't get it, I don't know if it’s the wind or the noises it cause or just what, but it's awful to see her so upset and there is nothing I can do. (I also am desperately in need of sleep!)
Is anyone familiar with Rescue Remedy? I’d rather an non drug (I’m a toxicologist, don’t tell me it’s flowers and not a drug, that’s still a drug) alternative. But, I’ll try anything!

[Zen]

I would say call the vet but they'll just advise drugs.

Music?
listen to some samples of Steve Roach
he always helps me sleep.

I wonder if it could be related to a barometric pressure change? Animals are very sensitive to stuff like that.

[makbike]

check with your vet. I know there is a collar on the market which releases natural pheromones which act to reduce stress. The vet I worked for often recommended to to clinics with dogs like yours. Clients reported back that the collar did work. The collar itself is activated by an increase in body temperature. I can't remember the name of the collar, sorry. I will, however, try to remember to ask tomorrow when I swing by the clinic to pick up some stuff.

[Brandi]

I have used Rescue Remedy on my cats before. It is super mild though. It sounds like you need a mild tranq for her. I had a dog that used to freak out over fireworks really bad. He chewwed through a picnic table one time. We had to knock him out after that. Your doc will be able to advise. You could try the Rescue Remedy and see though. I know from personal use that it is super mild. But it might work for her and is not as druggy as a tranq can be.

[Tuckervill]

The lady on Calling All Pets says to make windy/thunder time play time, and you have to anticipate it before she starts spiraling down. She calls them "Thunder Treats" with her dogs. Find something the dog loves that you only offer during bad weather. You will have to stay awake of course, still, while you distract the dog.

Some dogs will be harder to distract than others. You'll have to be quick on the trigger, I'll bet--watch the weather and try to change her thinking about it before the bad weather starts.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

By the way, I've been trying to recondition Zeke to not attack the mail carrier every day, but he always beats me to the punch. I've tried lots of things, like leaving treats for the mail carrier to give him, distracting him ahead of time, etc. But the dog across the street starts barking whenever she hears the mail truck park up the street, so he's always cued in. I've pretty much given up and keep the doggie door closed from 9-12 a.m. About 30 minutes ago he was going ballistic on the couch, snarling like he was killing something, just cuz he saw her out the window.

I don't think I'll ever change his mind about the mail carrier, unless I can convince HER not to walk straight down the sidewalk from my mailbox to the next house (IOW, to go back to the street the way she came), because he thinks he's chasing her off. It's too ingrained in his brain, after 4 years of success!

So, I'm sympathetic to your plight.

Karen

[Andrea]

I know it's a drug and not a permanent fix for someone that lives in a windy area, but Benadryl can help an acute bout of the jitters. They can have up to 1mg/pound of bodyweight.

Good luck finding something- I have one that gets nervous during storms, so I'd be interested to know if you find something that doesn't involve drugs.

[LBTC]

I love the idea of play time during anxious moments! My Diva gets nervous at various times and will follow me around and shiver constantly when it's thundering and windy. I've never thought of playing with her! Great idea! Difficult during sleep hours, but maybe, if it's a particular toy, she may become conditioned to play with it on her own when she's feeling upset?

My suggestion was going to be Rescue Remedy. Maybe both in conjunction?

Sending butterflies to you both,
~T~

[OakLeaf]

There's a pheromone spray that seemed to work pretty well with our dogs. (Also on us... helped mellow us out enough to deal better with the dogs' residual jitters LOL!) It's called D.A.P. Some vets have it or it's available online too. We also would try to play or treat them as much as possible to distract and desensitize them. Stephen Halpern CDs helped too.

[TsPoet]

Thanks to all!
I called my local homeopathy/designer vet and store and they have the DAP collar and rescue remedy and other things she said she'll talk to me about when I get there.
I will also go out and play with her tonight, the wind usually comes up in late afternoon, so we can play just before dark. The snows have almost melted, too, so good timing to try that.

[sundial]

Here's what I use for my fosters:

Comfort Zone plug in diffuser or spray
harp music
a dark, quiet room without windows aka the bathroom
a crate covered with a towel
Kong filled with peanut butter and/or treats
Bully stik or other chew
Valium--some dogs just need the real chill pill

My rescue girl Niki is terrified of wind and rain because she had to live outside during a hurricane. I have to give her a chill pill and move her into our bathroom with a toy to keep her preoccupied. She really likes a cozy, dark corner to feel secure. I hope this helps and feel free to pm me if you have any more questions.

[KSH]

This is going to sound cheesy... but does anyone where watch the Dog Whisperer.

At of the behavior problems you are all talking about... are addressed in his show.

If your dog is scared of the wind, that shows he's an insecure dog. You cannot feed into that insecurity. Meaning: When he's being scare of the wind, you have to ignore him. Do not pick him up, pet him, talk to him, nothing. When you reinforce his insecurity, he keeps doing it. Yes, you will have some sleepness nights so he gets trained... but you are not sleeping as it is.

As for the aggressive dogs... you have to catch them the minute they start to get aggressive and make a "shush" noise. Ceasar will typically also poke some fingers into their neck (like another dog would) or give them a slight foot nudge on the hind quarters. You aren't being volient... just redirecting their focus.

Anyone with a dog should watch the show... it's really amazing how he rehabilitates dogs. Really teaches you how to be the pack leader of your dog(s).

[brok]

This is going to sound cheesy... but does anyone where watch the Dog Whisperer.

At of the behavior problems you are all talking about... are addressed in his show.

If your dog is scared of the wind, that shows he's an insecure dog. You cannot feed into that insecurity. Meaning: When he's being scare of the wind, you have to ignore him. Do not pick him up, pet him, talk to him, nothing. When you reinforce his insecurity, he keeps doing it. Yes, you will have some sleepness nights so he gets trained... but you are not sleeping as it is.

As for the aggressive dogs... you have to catch them the minute they start to get aggressive and make a "shush" noise. Ceasar will typically also poke some fingers into their neck (like another dog would) or give them a slight foot nudge on the hind quarters. You aren't being volient... just redirecting their focus.

Anyone with a dog should watch the show... it's really amazing how he rehabilitates dogs. Really teaches you how to be the pack leader of your dog(s).

I'm a huge Dog Whisperer fan And, I have tried his techniques with my dogs. Timing is very critical, so that they understand what behavior you want the to stop. Anyway, I would also recommed readomg his books. And definitely ignore the dog rather than try to pamper him by playing into his insecurity. Good Luck

[Pedal Wench]

My Mastiff was terrified during thunderstorms. The only cure was to stroke her belly and sing "The Circle Game." That's what I sang while the doctors took her away too. It always seemed to calm her when she, or I, was scared.

[bmccasland]

Seems to me, that taking dog for regular walks, even on windy days, and not playing into the insecurity (Dog Whisperer stuff) is a start. There's probably a chapter or two in one of his books.

But also having a secure quiet place is also a good thing.

Dogs do feed off your energy, so make sure you're calm and collected too. My Nala never experienced fireworks or thunderstorms until we moved here - and doesn't like either. Will try to scratch her way through the back door to get in, but once inside, she's fine. A loud *crack* will jerk her head up, and she may go look out the window, but she's calm. If she does start getting anxious, I tell her in a strong voice to "go lie down." A little bit later, I'll call her to me for love and attention, but it's on my terms, not her's.