Anxiety

[Skruffy n Flea]

howling wind storms aren't that common!

byron, my rescue, is quite okay with storms; the lightening, thunder and rain, as well as fireworks...

but what does one do to acquaint dogs with howling winds and its sound effects inside the home!??!

on point:

sydney last tuesday night/wednesday morning tolerated a loud, howling wind storm.

at about 2:30 am i became aware that byron had become manic and for the next 2 and a half hours i was kept awake trying to settle him --- thankfully i wasn't expected to work on the wednesday!

he shook, constantly --- he was on the bed and then off the bed --- during the times on the bed he would nuzzle bella, my other [very settled and sleeping] dog --- i ventured to acquaint byron with the sounds but he wouldn't follow me so i scooped him up in my arms --- i took him to various other rooms in the house, to windows that rattled, i opened windows so he could feel the wind, smell it, hear the sound, downstairs and outside in the sprinkling rain --- at some point i'd noted that my oh had moved into the pet-free second bedroom!!!

by 4 am byron had started panting --- loud [i wondered when he would start to drool]!

all my efforts tho were to no avail...

downstairs at about 3:45 am, i rattled the cellophane wrapping of his favourite treat --- i noticed he immediately stopped shaking!!! he accepted the treat with gusto and after several more training sessions and by about 4:40 am, he'd stopped shaking entirely but i still couldn't settle his panting...

i ventured back to bed several times during the night with byron joining me but still disturbing me and at about 5:15 when my OH awoke to get ready for work i thankfully fell asleep [byron i think settled also].

i've since started adding 2 or so drops of rescue remedy to byron's evening meal...

so, what does one do to acquaint dogs with howling winds and its sound effects inside the home!??!

[sas]

I think you may be reinforcing his fears by picking him up and paying that kind of attention to him.

I would advise you to seek the help of a qualified Behaviourist to you help you help your dog.

Rescue Remedy will not assist you in this case, it is suitable for mild anxiety.

Edited July 17, 2010 by sas

[Skruffy n Flea]

thanks sas --- i knew i was doing the wrong thing by paying him that kind of attention but at 2:30 in the morning and by 4, i was desperate!

[Genabee]

I use rescue remedy to, I find it works a treat! But I keep applying it, either directly into her mouth or a couple of drops on the scruff of her neck. Unless they ingest the bowl of water straight away, they won't get the full effects of it.

There are also other essences available for dogs, there might be one more appropriate (emergency essence maybe?). We also use the puppy drops. http://animalhealthstore.com.au/

Our old family dog would carry on like that often. She would start pacing around in and out of rooms, panting, jumping on to bed, lying down then off again, scratching at the back glass door, which would esculate into throwing herself at it, then eventually barking. When we spoke to the vet about it, they wanted to prescribed her valium (or the dog equivilant)... we never gave it to her... there were times she was lucky to live until the next morning.

I hope you can find a way to calm him

[Skruffy n Flea]

thanks wizzle

i actually put the rr in his food at night; about 4 drops and only at night and thanks for the link! i'll take a look at it over the weekend

i also prefer the natural course but sas hit the nail on the proverbial --- i knew it, know it but i gotta research it. anything i give byron to settle him will only be a bandaid until he either settles himself or i get the help he needs

thanks again wizzle, your post was a lot of help

[Genabee]

thanks wizzle

i actually put the rr in his food at night; about 4 drops and only at night and thanks for the link! i'll take a look at it over the weekend

i also prefer the natural course but sas hit the nail on the proverbial --- i knew it, know it but i gotta research it. anything i give byron to settle him will only be a bandaid until he either settles himself or i get the help he needs

thanks again wizzle, your post was a lot of help

You're welcome!

I agree with Sas also, that it is a behavioural issue that needs addressing, for all your sakes. But I would also keep the rr coming - if you can have him feel calmer, I am sure that will go a long way to helping him deal with the anxiety. It certainly isn't going to harm him.