I feel a little guilty as a hu-mom-- kinda long, sorry

[Leslie]

Some folks would say I am a bad mommy. I got anti-anxiety medications for Zuzu.  That's right, Zuzu.  Her storm phobia has been progressing so that now when it rains hard at night, she whimpers, howls, wants to be in bed with us, then hides under the bed, and then, during the night, pees on the carpet.

Last night there was lightening, but no thunder, so I had a chance to take her out to pee at least, but then, an hour later, LOKI starts.  Take her out to pee TWICE.  (she is forgetting what she's out there for.) Finally she pees during the second walk and I give her some Rescue Remedy and settles in for the night around midnight.  For the hour between walks she is hyper crazy.  (She had a spike of hyper crazy at the vet's office earlier last night when she got her anal glands expressed and then seemed fine.)

This is the stop gap measure -- I am hoping that a few "positive" experiences with Zuzu during storms will "re-set" her little doggie brain so she goes back to her previous behavior/reaction, which was alert and somewhat bothered, but not terrifed.  My idea is to combine the medication with a travel crate in the bedroom, so she CAN come in the bedroom and be with us, but is crated and not able to pee in the house (or wander around and get hurt or something).

Also I will get some Ultra Calm tablets for both.  I really could manage one senior dog with behavioral symptoms, but two dogs being nutz late at night just puts me over the edge.  I can deal with ANYTHING but sleep deprevation, lemme tell ya when I am ultra tired I cannot even function; even now at my desk at work worry that I am actually safe to drive home.

Anyhoo, I needed to share, I thank you in advance for any input, ideas, or suggestions.

I realize there are many folks who would not suggest the medication route, and many also who will chastise this choice, but I am committed to accepting the senior dog phase and working toward solutions and being the best caretaker I can, but I can't implement them unless I am able to function well enough to form complete sentences.

[Dr. Beau Leaky]

:scratch: Well, let's try to look at this from a Cesar Milan perspective.

On one of his recent podcasts, July 24, 2009, he worked with Baby Girl to get over her fear of noises, using a treadmill to exercise her.  The walking gets her brain to "reset" and calms her.  I'm not sure how you would do this without a treadmill - maybe walking Zuzu from one end of your house to the other.  He also uses the owner's calm voice on video to calm Baby Girl.

Giving her an activity will get her to focus on the fun, rather than the fear.

Karen

[doxielady5569128]

You are NOT a bad mom!!!!    You're just trying to do what you can to help your baby feel better.    I'm not going to chastise you for doing what you think is best.   Sometimes, that's the only thing that works.  Bandit has to be on anti-anxiety medication as well.  He has improved enough lately that he only needs to take it when my mom is gone or during storms and such.     Please don't beat yourself up over this, its not your fault!!!   

I'm sorry I don't have any helpful advice.  I really don't know much about what Zuzu is going through, but we'll be praying for her at least!!   

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Just the opposite you are a GOOD Mom trying to give her relief from that fear. Drugs aren't always a bad thing. I know people have tried all sorts of more natural ways but I personally have not heard of any of them working. A lot of people have to drug their dogs on the 4th and during storms. I have not had a sound sensitive dog yet but I would give drugs at times if they were that freaked out. I was freaked out at the docs yesterday and the drugs made me verrrrrrry happy and mellow LOL! Would do it again in a minute! Hope you find a good middle road solution so everyone gets their sleep!

[TerriL]

Good for you!  Your doing exactly what needs to be done!  :apls: :apls: :apls: :apls:

[Merion]

Hope the new medicine helps her to cope with the weather.

Good luck to you all.
You are not a bad mom ....you are great because you do what ever needs to be done for them.
Merion & the ZZ's

[Dr. Beau Leaky]

AHEM . . .

YOU ARE A GOOD MOTHER!

Dr. Benjamin Spock Leaky :thumb:

Here's an article about anxious doggies:  NOTE: I moved the last paragraph to the front.

Jennifer Wagaman
Baltimore Dog Training Examiner

Desensitizing the dog to the storm does not often work well as it is very difficult to slowly build up and mimic the exact conditions of a storm. Additionally, it is vital for dog owners to keep a watchful eye on their pet as dogs can hear the storm coming from much further away than humans can, so the dog may start acting fearful long before the first rumble of thunder is heard.

When a dog is afraid of a storm, he can exhibit many different symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild anxiety to full blown panic attacks. The first step in making this phobia go away is to know how to not make it worse.

Preventing Storm Phobia from Getting Worse

Dogs are not very much like their human counterparts despite the fact that people treat their pet like another person in the family. While the dog is indeed part of the family, it is an animal and thus communicates very differently than people do.

When a person comforts a dog, the dog is hearing that whatever emotion it is experiencing is appropriate at the moment. So, for example, a dog that is comforted when it is acting aggressive will learn that it is OK to be aggressive.

Likewise when a dog is comforted while acting fearful, it is learning that it is OK to be fearful and that indeed he has a good reason to be fearful!

Treating your dog normally, acting as if the storm is no big deal and ignoring the fearful responses a dog has to a storm is much more beneficial toward stopping a storm phobic dog in its tracks. This type of behavior tells the dog: don't be afraid, there's no reason to be afraid!

Understanding what not to do is important when dealing with a dog that is afraid of thunderstorms, read on to find out what to do to help train a dog to not be afraid anymore.

When a dog has a storm phobia or thunder fright, it is important that dog owners understand what does and does not work when it comes to helping the dog overcome this fear.

Ways to Help a Dog Overcome Fear of Thunderstorms

In addition to not reinforcing the dog's fear in any way, there are a few things that dog owners can try that may help the dog overcome its irrational fears about storms.

1. Provide a safe comfortable place for the dog to go and hide. This may be a special blanket behind a chair, a cozy closet or a dog crate. Whatever it is, this needs to be a place that the dog can go to and feel safe, so never use this place for punishment.

2. Associate good things with storms. When a storm comes, get a special toy or treat out and distract the dog from the storm. It is important not to simply give the dog a treat when it becomes fearful as this will reinforce the fact that the storm is scary. Instead, distract the dog and provide treats only when the dog relaxes for a moment.

3. Speak to the veterinarian. It is important that dog owners rule out any type of physical problem that may be caused by the storm. Perhaps the dog has arthritis that always hurts when a storm moves in, causing the dog to fear the storm because it causes pain. If everything is ruled out, the vet will also be able to provide some guidance as to medications that may help the dog relax during a storm.

[papbouv]

In Dog Fancy magazine they have two different kinds of Anxiety products one is like a coat or sweater the other is a wrap. The principle behind it  they think the static in the air bothers the dogs coat so then the dog is afraid??? I think they use a special material?Might be worth a look to read more about it also you might google Anxiety products for dogs and find it that way.Papbouv

[Barb]

The primary thing to point out here....you are doing the best you can to keep your babies comfortable.  Not a thing wrong with that at all !!!!  When Toby came - I was at my wits end - he was CRAZY - just so much pent up energy, and to keep my house from being destroyed and to give him the chance to settle in, I asked the vet for a calmer. Clovacalm (I think, or close). He took a pill in the morning and one in the evening.  Took a few weeks, and then he did settle down.  He didn't spend the 10 hrs I was gone being anxious. I think he needed that help to get over the hump of such big changes in his life.  We are now down to half a pill in the morning and a dose of Rescue Remedy.  He is still a bundle of energy, but I believe he is feeling at home.  He is still a toy destroyer, but I still have a few throw rugs still intact - LOL !!!

Sorry to hijack the thread - all I am saying is that if this will help your babies get through a bad time - then so be it. 

Keep us posted !

[Delia and girls]

No suggestions here, but I feel your pain. Ilsa developed a fear of thunderstorms at about age 5. It got better over time but she was never as easy going with them as before (or as Gretchen). It started with a LOUD clap of thunder as she was sleeping and lasted the rest of her life. I tried giving her treats during storms, playing with her, any kind of distraction I could think of. Nothing worked. As I said, though, she got better with time. (Then she developed a fear of the toaster 'spitting' out toast - go figure!) I didn't try any of the calming things. I hope they work for you guys.

As for the sleep deprivation ... I am totally with you on that! Since we got Elli a couple months ago, Ron and I are dead on our feet! I think ... dare I say it? ... she's FINALLY housebroken!!!! Ron and I have been like ... "It's your shift, I'm going to bed." I think we're rounding the corner with her, though. She's stopped beating poor Gretchie up. She's actually trying to play with her, but she gets way too rough. I remember very plainly - it was a week ago last Monday that I woke up without feeling like I had a hangover and dragging myself through the day.

Just wanted you to know you have company in your misery. It doesn't solve your problem, but I hope it helps psychologically.

[cheryl186]

Definitely not a bad mommy!!!  You are doing what you need to do for your baby to make her feel better!!  I have a calming aid I give to Sheba for thunderstorms, etc.  It helps tremendously!

[Leslie]

Here's an article about anxious doggies...:When a person comforts a dog, the dog is hearing that whatever emotion it is experiencing is appropriate at the moment. So, for example, a dog that is comforted when it is acting aggressive will learn that it is OK to be aggressive.

Likewise when a dog is comforted while acting fearful, it is learning that it is OK to be fearful and that indeed he has a good reason to be fearful!

Treating your dog normally, acting as if the storm is no big deal and ignoring the fearful responses a dog has to a storm is much more beneficial toward stopping a storm phobic dog in its tracks. This type of behavior tells the dog: don't be afraid, there's no reason to be afraid!

Absolutely--this is the type of training we have done since she was first learning to walk on a leash.  I would deliberatly walk her near or around big noisy (parked) trucks, watch workers dig holes with backhoes, or what not.  All the while I would just stand there and mebbe say: "Big truck, huh?"  She is normally a very calm and obedient dawg.  The storm thing is new development.  If it rains during the day, she may hang out in the clubhouse (under the bed) but she will not cry.

[Barb]

I know it is best not too...... but I have an impossible time of NOT comforting mine when they need it....just can't do it..... 

[Madderoos Mom]

Leslie, you're one of the best mommys I know.  Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.  Hey, if it helps, that's very good!