Richard - My dog Brandi was terrified of thunderstorms almost her whole life....til I figured out what to do. My first instinct was to comfort her when she was running around the house frantically, however I learned from Cesear Milan that comforting "bad" behaviour is teaching her that she should act that way. The "treatment" was very hard to do - but it works. When a thunderstorm came and she started acting up, I told her "NO!" I put a leash on her and had her lie down next to me on the carpet - she kept trying to get up and I kept telling her in a stern voice "NO!" Finally I had to put my foot on the leash to keep her down - but every time she tried to get up I was stern with her (which was hard because she was just scared), within only 5 minutes she was sleeping peacefully - I couldn't believe it. She was afraid of thunderstorms for at least 10 years - but after than difficult stern incident, she was fine. Sometimes I did have to tell her to go lay down during a storm, but she never again freaked out. I think the reason it worked is because Brandi trusted me. I hope it works for Charlie. It's hard to do, but if it works, it's worth it.
Carole Winch, husband George
Brandi-at Rainbow Bridge, she visits in my dreams
Baxter-boxer/lab mix
Wolfie-Malamute/wolf(?) mix
Tiger-green eyed cat
Spicey-pain in the -- cat furniture wrecker
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Richard - My dog Brandi was terrified of thunderstorms almost her whole life....til I figured out what to do. My first instinct was to comfort her when she was running around the house frantically, however I learned from Cesear Milan that comforting "bad" behaviour is teaching her that she should act that way. The "treatment" was very hard to do - but it works. When a thunderstorm came and she started acting up, I told her "NO!" I put a leash on her and had her lie down next to me on the carpet - she kept trying to get up and I kept telling her in a stern voice "NO!" Finally I had to put my foot on the leash to keep her down - but every time she tried to get up I was stern with her (which was hard because she was just scared), within only 5 minutes she was sleeping peacefully - I couldn't believe it. She was afraid of thunderstorms for at least 10 years - but after than difficult stern incident, she was fine. Sometimes I did have to tell her to go lay down during a storm, but she never again freaked out. I think the reason it worked is because Brandi trusted me. I hope it works for Charlie. It's hard to do, but if it works, it's worth it.
Dixie Flyer wrote: Charlie is very much afraid of thunderstorms.
One of our dogs also gets frightened by loud noises. Gunshots & fireworks absolutely terrifies him. One year we were on the beach on the Fourth. Just as we were loading the dogs in the back of the truck someone nearby started shooting off fireworks. This dog was in the back of the pickup without a leash which usually wasn't a problem because of the canopy/topper. Well, as I was preparing to pick up the smaller dog the one in the truck took off like a shot. Fortunately, we reported him to the local police and left a photo. 3-4 days later we got a call to come get our dog.
If fireworks are legal (or not) where you are on the Fourth you will probably want to be sure Charlie is secure.
Rich, my sisters dog is afraid of any loud noises, they give him doggie valium. Our beagle, snoopy, is afraid of loud noises, but has settled down alot since we became his forever home, he is jumpy and doesn;t run away like he did at first. He is never been afraid of storms, thank goodness.
looking forward to seeing you,at the campground when we go back to work Saturday, and meeting Charlie.
"Comforting" will definitely increase his discomfort... you don't need to be harsh, but be firm, confident, and upbeat. Obedience OR perhaps an activity he enjoys like umohwhatisthathelikesohwasn'tittheBALL? will tend to help him change his focus and create better associations.
Combining that approach with a judicious hosing of available surfaces with Suzie's Comfort Zone will enhance the effect.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
Oh my gosh! I never thought about getting the ball out during the storm. I am sure that will take his attention off of the noise outside. That is a great idea.
2005 Ford XLT F250 Supercab - 6.0 Turbo Diesel
2005 27RL Wildcat Fifth wheel/Reese 16K hitch
Wife Sue
Pets: Old Fella, Levi and Charlie at Rainbow Bridge. Suzie the Imp, Peaches the Princess and Izzie the cat.
Yes, try that. Fear and Joy cannot go together very well, one will win out over the other. If you know storms are coming, you might give him some Rescue Remedy. It works to calm BenBen, but doesn't really sedate him.
Barb
Sometime this afternoon we will be leaving for a weekend at the lake. Charlie has really become a part of the family now as he has caught on to all of the daily activities. He acts as if he is starving all the time so we have to watch him or he will be eating Suzie's food as well as his.
Old Fella Burke County Animal rescue is transporting dogs again this weekend. What a blessing this is for those animals who would have been left on the side of the roads and at the trash piles. They will now have forever homes and become a part of some family. The ladies that volunteer to make these trips are to be commended for their work. Some of them spend hours each week tending to the needs of these anmimal at the Waynesboro Shelter using their gas, time and energy just to make all of this happen.
Then there are the foster homes that provide a space for these animals in their homes, feeding them, doctoring them, and baby sitting the small puppies, which is not easy.
Then there are the people who help raise the funds to keep us going and this is a never ending job. Old Fella should be proud of what he started as he and Levi wait at Rainbow Bridge for news of the rescue effort as it finds it's way there.
I signed up so I could say hello. I should introduce myself to everyone by saying it is my privilege to have been commissioned by Douglas Turmail to create an oil painting of Old Fella. The group that I begun, Artists United for Animal Rescue, does art auctions for animal charities and Old Fella Burke Country Animal Rescue is now one of our charities. I would like to help with the memorial to Old Fella, too. If someone could write to me and give me the paypal email that would be used for donations to that, I would appreciate it.
I have a rescue sanctuary myself. It is not non-profit, but I hope it will be someday. I have some very old doggies here, on hospice (palliative) care. I too cannot comprehend, how a fine dog like Charlie, could ever be abandoned at an animal shelter at the age when he needed his loved ones most. How wonderful that he has a new family of special people. Old pets taken to the pound, it is one nightmare of mine. So, so wrong.
Blessings to all who show mercy to animals.
www.artistsunitedforanimalrescue.org
* This post was
edited 07/25/08 11:50am by Lee Mitchelson *
Lee, I want to openly say Hello and to Thank You for your generosity. I tried to e-mail you a letter but it came back. If you would send me your current e-mail addy I will send all the info and a little bit of background to you.
Forum Rules are that you can't solicit for donations on the forum but I will be happy to answer your questions via e-mail.
Lori and I are the proud parents of Anna, Richard's first puppy rescue after he started the Old Fella Effort.
Dandy Dan dan218b@tds.net
Dan and Lori Branson, Anna 1 (the rescue)
and Beau (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
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