Thunderstorms And Fireworks

Ah, the joys of spring. Fresh flowers, warm sun, spring rain. In addition to all the wonderful seasonal changes, spring and summer bring thunderstorms and fireworks - the two most common triggers for noise phobia problems in dogs.

Healthy coping strategies

Many animals show a startle response to loud sudden noises, or seek shelter during severe weather. Such behavior is a handy survival instinct and isn't a problem most of the time. However, if the dog's reaction to an unexpected noise or a clap of thunder is sheer panic and a "fight/flight" situation occurs, the consequences can be quite severe.

Each dog handles his phobia in his own unique way. Some dogs compensate for their fear with a coping mechanism such as climbing into the tub, hiding under a table or blanket or seeking owner attention. These strategies often help the dog keep somewhat calm and allow him to "ride out the storm" or hang on until the fireworks have stopped. Other dogs are not so lucky.

Managing fear and anxiety

When a dog doesn't have a coping strategy, he may show his fear and anxiety in many different ways, including urinating or defecating in the house, chewing on household items, barking and whining, trembling and shaking, or trying to escape the house by jumping through a window or chewing through a door.

If your dog has a noise phobia, keep these strategies in mind as we head into the storm and fireworks seasons:

• If your dog has a coping strategy such as hiding in the laundry room or kennel during storms, try to provide him access to that location whether you are home or not, especially if you can't predict when the noise will occur.

• Try not to pay a lot of attention to your dog when you see signs of anxiety. Try redirecting the dog's focus to another activity such as obedience exercises or play time, but keep the comforting to a minimum. Comforting may help in the moment but leaves your dog vulnerable when you aren't there to soothe his nerves during the next storm.

• It may be helpful to provide background noise such as a television or white noise machine to muffle the sound of the storm or fireworks. Closing the blinds or taking your dog down to a lower level in the house may also help cut down on the visual cues of lightning.

• Some dogs that react to static electricity or changes in barometric pressure may respond favorably to a Storm Defender cape (www.stormdefender.com) - it will make your dog look like a super hero and it may also reduce his reaction to the storm.

• Wearing a Gentle Leader head collar or a body wrap may provide a calming or relaxing influence that decreases a dog's reaction to the noise.

• Over-the-counter treatments such as Dog Appeasing Pheromone, Rescue Remedy or Bach Flower Essences have a calming effect for many dogs and can be used as needed when panic situations occur.

• Your veterinarian can prescribe anti-anxiety medication such as Valium or Xanax if your dog needs additional help relaxing during storms or fireworks. Acepromazine is a medication that is commonly used but may not be the best choice - it causes sedation without true anxiety relief and can actually enhance noise sensitivity for some dogs.

Desensitization and prevention

One of the most reliable ways to treat noise phobias is systematic desensitization and counter conditioning during the winter months outside of the normal storm/firework season. Use a high quality audio recording (www.soundtherapy4pets.com) to simulate the noises that your dog reacts to and then gradually increase the intensity of the noise as your dog becomes more comfortable. This strategy works even better if you associate the sounds with something positive such as yummy foods, play time or relaxing massage. Ideally, it's best to start this training several months before storm season begins.

The best strategy is to prevent problems before they occur by exposing your dog or new puppy to storms, fireworks or other loud noises at a level he can handle comfortably while engaging the dog in a fun activity. Throw a storm party and play with your dog when it is raining outside or save your dog's favorite stuffed Kong toy as a special treat when you hear thunder rolling in the distance. After a few repetitions, your dog will start to associate the storm or fireworks with a positive experience and he will be less likely to develop noise issues later in life.

If you have already tried some of these strategies and need additional help, please contact your veterinarian or a qualified behavior consultant for additional techniques that are tailored to your dog's specific needs.

Dr. Christopher Pachel owns Twin Cities Veterinary Behavior Referral Service and is an editorial advisory board member for Star Tribune Pet Central. www.tcvetbehavior.com