Thunderstorms and scared Corgi

[DarkSephiroth]

Last year Corgi didn't even pay any attention to it. This will be Buster's first time though, and he is more of a barker than Corgi, so we'll see! =D

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by DarkSephiroth

Speaking of being scared, is anyone preparing for Independence day? Do Corgis often fear the fireworks?

I make sure mine are in the house and in their crates before dark on July 4th as there are fireworks not far from us.

Peggy

[FlyingCorgi]

Some neighbors of mine set off firecrackers while we were walking Ein two days ago. I guess some people are just mean-hearted that way. Fortunately, other than looking over at what was going on Ein had no reaction to the noise. He doesn't have much of a reaction to thunder, either. Guess I'm just one of the lucky few in this case.

[maxigrace]

Enid and Dougall don't seem afraid of the storms, perhaps because I am not. They bark at both the thunder and firwork booms, but I do not react to them, so as not to reinforce there is something to be afraid of. They settle down, except for a few grumbling woofs, when they realize I am not paying much attention to the sounds. Also, my big dog, Cecil is very calm so I think his non-reaction helps the corgis.

I have also heard that if we overreact and overcomfort them they will think, first, that there is someting to be upset about and secondly that the petting and cuddling is a good reinforcement for being afraid. True or not, I do not know. I do know my friend has a doxie who is afraid of every little sound, she picks him up and cuddles him and soothes him while he shakes and whines. I can't help but think this makes it worse, it seems like she is encouraging him to whine and shake...after all we cuddle and praise them when they are doing something correctly. That's just my take on it, what do other people think?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by maxigrace

I have also heard that if we overreact and overcomfort them they will think, first, that there is someting to be upset about and secondly that the petting and cuddling is a good reinforcement for being afraid. True or not, I do not know.

It's true. If you act like everything is ok then they will take cues from you. If you "baby" them and say things like "poor doggy are you scared" etc. They will think there is something to be afraid of.

When I have a dog afraid of loud sounds, thunder or fireworks I put them in their crate. They know that's a safe place and are ok then.

I do know my friend has a doxie who is afraid of every little sound, she picks him up and cuddles him and soothes him while he shakes and whines. I can't help but think this makes it worse, it seems like she is encouraging him to whine and shake...

Yup, you're right, she's rewarding him for being afraid and shaking and whining. Sending the wrong signal to him.

IMO, it's one thing to hold a dog, I have held one during a hail storm (we were in a grooming area at a show and it had a metal roof) but I did not "baby" him and soothe him. I just held him. And he's one who likes to sit on my lap and does so at various times. So I just held him as I would then and continued to talk to my friends.

Peggy

[molly14]

Well, Massachusetts had its fair share of Thunderstorms last night. We have had some thunder before but is was more of a rumbling thunder and not too loud. Molly seemed to be okay with that. Overnight, there were 2 times the thunder woke me up. The 1st time was a rolling, but loud thunder. I laid in bed for a few minutes waiting to hear Molly. Nothing. I was impressed. Then around 4:30 there was a very loud crack of thunder that made my husband shoot up in bed and my cat jump out of the window onto our bed. I thought for sure I would hear crying from Molly's crate downstairs. Nothing. Apparently she isn't' too bothered by it. This morning she puts her ears back when the thunder cracks, but that is pretty much it.

[gogogiraffes]

Originally Posted by molly14

Well, Massachusetts had its fair share of Thunderstorms last night. We have had some thunder before but is was more of a rumbling thunder and not too loud. Molly seemed to be okay with that. Overnight, there were 2 times the thunder woke me up. The 1st time was a rolling, but loud thunder. I laid in bed for a few minutes waiting to hear Molly. Nothing. I was impressed. Then around 4:30 there was a very loud crack of thunder that made my husband shoot up in bed and my cat jump out of the window onto our bed. I thought for sure I would hear crying from Molly's crate downstairs. Nothing. Apparently she isn't' too bothered by it. This morning she puts her ears back when the thunder cracks, but that is pretty much it.

We got some of those storms in Virigina too, and gizmo didn't even flinch. I took him outside with me and a clap of thunder happened. He just walked right next to me.

[shadow1975]

My skittles who is a lab chow mix is terrified of fireworks, we don't have many thunderstorms here. She shakes and trembles tries to hide it is so sad. My Ruby hasn't seen a fourth but all our other dogs do ok. I am taking skit to work this morn so Dr. can check her out and I can give her ace tom. We have tried turning on the t.v loud and we have surround sound. Fortunatley the kids are growing up around her hope it is a good 4th for her...my poor baby.

[HuskerSMJ]

Our Suki is the same way. Terrified of fireworks to the point that she trembles when they go off too loud or too long. We tried the pharamone (sp?) collars but they didn't work, and now the vet gave us a sedative to give her. I feel so bad for her and we are trying hard not to coddle her during these days. Hopefully the sedatives work.

[Tessie'sMom]

Originally Posted by DarkSephiroth

Speaking of being scared, is anyone preparing for Independence day? Do Corgis often fear the fireworks?

We have thunderstorms almost every day in Colorado, and Tess is absolutely fine with the noise. But the other day a couple bottle rockets or something went off and she had a little freak out while she was on her leash.

I thought that was interesting that she can handle the loud booms of thunder, but not the distant cracks of fireworks. Maybe it was just because it was a different kind of pop...?

So yeah, Tess is not crazy about fireworks.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by shadow1975

My skittles who is a lab chow mix is terrified of fireworks, we don't have many thunderstorms here. She shakes and trembles tries to hide it is so sad. My Ruby hasn't seen a fourth but all our other dogs do ok. I am taking skit to work this morn so Dr. can check her out and I can give her ace tom. We have tried turning on the t.v loud and we have surround sound. Fortunatley the kids are growing up around her hope it is a good 4th for her...my poor baby.

Try the anxiety wrap. Anxiety Wrap - Home Page I've heard that you can even use a t-shirt for this too.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Tessie'sMom

We have thunderstorms almost every day in Colorado, and Tess is absolutely fine with the noise. But the other day a couple bottle rockets or something went off and she had a little freak out while she was on her leash.

She might be ok in the house but it's different on a leash. Outside she might not feel as safe.

I thought that was interesting that she can handle the loud booms of thunder, but not the distant cracks of fireworks. Maybe it was just because it was a different kind of pop...?

Yes, the sounds are differnt. But don't assume she'll have a problem inside. Just make sure she's inside before dark tonight and see what happens. DO NOT coddle or baby her. Act matter of fact and she will take her cues from you.

When I have a dog who's afraid of lound sounds, thunder or fireworks I put them in their crates during that time. They seem to handle them better, crates are a safe place for them and they feel more secure.

Peggy

[Tessie'sMom]

Originally Posted by Peggy

Yes, the sounds are differnt. But don't assume she'll have a problem inside. Just make sure she's inside before dark tonight and see what happens. DO NOT coddle or baby her. Act matter of fact and she will take her cues from you.

When I have a dog who's afraid of lound sounds, thunder or fireworks I put them in their crates during that time. They seem to handle them better, crates are a safe place for them and they feel more secure.

Peggy

We will definitely have her kenneled if we are gone, and we will on the fourth for sure! Now that you mention it, I have not noticed any "freak outs" when she is in the house...maybe that does make a difference for her. When she acts scared, we just pat her on the head and say "It's okay girl" and leave it at that, and she seems to do okay, no coddling at all! My parents had a golden retriever who ran straight through a wooden privacy fence on the fourth (and acted about the same during thunder storms) so I am very thankful that Tess does not display that level of anxiety!

Also, thanks for the tip on the crate, we may try that if she seems to not be handling being out with us.

Happy 4th of July!!!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Tessie'sMom

We will definitely have her kenneled if we are gone,

Since she's a puppy she should be in her crate when you're gone anyway. She's too young to be left loose in the house while you're not home. Too many things she could get into.

When she acts scared, we just pat her on the head and say "It's okay girl"

A dog can interpert that to mean that being scared is ok. You can be reinforcing her actions by doing that. I just tell mine "you're all right" and not anything else. No petting or whatever, I just go about what I'm doing. If I'm calm they will take cues from me and know that "mom" doesn't think things are bad so maybe things aren't so bad.

Peggy

[gogogiraffes]

We may take Gizmo to fireworks tonight, as he did okay last night. But take his crate with us.

If we decide to leave him here, should I shut him in his crate completely? He usually has run of downstairs. And should I give him some rescue remedy just in case?