Dogs and thunder

[blender]

Hi guys

I was hoping to get some advice with regards to my two pitbulls.

I've had both of them since they were puppies. The one is female the other male. Over the last couple years the female has developed an acute fear of thunder.

I think it might have started during a particularly bad New Years fireworks episode in our complex. Since then she's been very nervous of loud noises. When it starts thundering she just goes crazy. Unless I'm there to comfort her, she does whatever it takes to flee. And I mean breaking through windows (yes actual windows, I've had to replace a few already), breaking through doors etc. Sometimes I get home and she's missing and the house is a wreck because there was some thunder. I'm thinking about getting narrower burglar bars in the windows but I'm worried she will still hurt herself trying to get through. It's even worse if shes outside in the garden when the thunder starts.

Now days whenever there is even a slight hint of a storm I rush home so that I can be with her to calm her down. The problem is that I'm about to start a full time job and I don't think I'm going to be able to do this anymore.

I've tried the dog psychologist route, but that doesn't seem to have helped. People tell me I should get some meds to calm her and I've talked to a vet about it and they weren't so keen on that idea especially on an on going basis. That also doesn't solve the issue of me not being at home when it starts. I can't give her meds every day just in case. Some people have even told me to just have her put down, but I could never do that.

I'm at my wits end and don't know what to do about the situation. Has anyone had any similar issues. How did you solve it?

 

[Hamster]

Question: that pitt bull isn't near any children when the thunder starts is it?

My parent's one Jack Russell goes berserk like this during fireworks - destroys the garage. And we cut really calm it down other than hold it (down) during the whole of new years.

 

[mister]

What about trying to desensitize her? Get a thunder soundtrack and play it barely audible - you need to act completely normal, like you can't even hear the noise - no consoling her at all. Start with a short little session, and increase the length and volume SLOWLY as time goes by. You will have to be diligent - I don't think there is a magic solution for this kind of problem.

 

[blender]

Nope. Not near any children.

The desensitizing thing sounds like an option. At this point I'll try anything

 

[Venomous]

have you thought of a big dog box with maybe some thick fabric at the door to keep it dark inside?

 

[Wall]

yes

 

[Hamster]

Desensitization vs. extreme life long trauma.

 

[Hectic]

We had to replace one of our back doors last week, due to this problem. It is a big dog and he absolute destroyed the backdoor in the process to try and get into the house.