Jump to content
Chapala.com Webboard

Calming a dog's anxiety response to loud noises


Recommended Posts

Good! thanx 4 sharing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Anxiety Wrap they are talking about is a great product when used properly. It is advertised to be 89% effective. These shirts can be purchased at Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center and are well worth a try. Help your dog overcome their anxiety and support Lucky Dog shelter at the same time. A Win win situation!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree about the Anxiety Wrap although we brought our Thunder Shirt from the states. My poodle used to shiver uncontrollably before we starting to use it. Now when she hears. The first loud noise she rushes to our bedroom getting us to follow her to put it on. Sometimes she even stops shivering as we are putting it on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our dog has SEVERE anxiety. Thunder shirt did not work. Everything we tried failed. Our vet recommended we try anti-anxiety medication. Here it's called Tafil alprozalam. We'll be trying that today to see if it helps. The dog suffers terribly and since the festival in SAT, now hides in the bedroom every night in fear even though the fireworks are over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our dog has SEVERE anxiety. Thunder shirt did not work. Everything we tried failed. Our vet recommended we try anti-anxiety medication. Here it's called Tafil alprozalam. We'll be trying that today to see if it helps. The dog suffers terribly and since the festival in SAT, now hides in the bedroom every night in fear even though the fireworks are over.

Be aware that Tafil is the name used in Mexico for Xanax. Take great care in giving your pooch the dosage recommended by the vet. If you decide that it isn't working, you'll need to wean the dog carefully from the medicine. Tafil (Xanax) is highly addictive. But I'm sure your vet told you all this. I hope it works, poor baby.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have 2 Brussels Griffons, one raised here from a puppy and the other brought here at 2 years old. The one raised here has no problem with the cohetes, the one brought here at 2 shakes uncontrollably and tries to hide. We use to have to give her doggie downers until we got her a Thunder Shirt. She still doesn't like the noise and is still scared. Without the shirt on a 1-10 scale she would be a 9. With the shirt about a 4. Certainly worth a try.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For some dogs, it is possible to de-sensitize them to loud noises, but involves several months of consistent and incremental effort to teach the dog to associate loud noises with good things (like favorite treats.) Similar to the poodle who runs to her thundershirt, as soon as the cojetes, thunder, or loud music begins, my dogs now coming looking for their treats!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Liana. We understand the medication.

Tonight will be our first try with the med. She's 13 now and I just can't see putting her through this anymore if the meds will work. Since the festival in SAT she's been hiding in the bedroom every night. She now also watches obsessively for lightening as she knows that's going to bring more noise.

It just breaks my heart to see her this way and since we have tried everything else, this is our best option now. She got much worse after our other dog died a year ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Liana. We understand the medication.

Tonight will be our first try with the med. She's 13 now and I just can't see putting her through this anymore if the meds will work. Since the festival in SAT she's been hiding in the bedroom every night. She now also watches obsessively for lightening as she knows that's going to bring more noise.

It just breaks my heart to see her this way and since we have tried everything else, this is our best option now. She got much worse after our other dog died a year ago.

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this works. The poor thing, how miserable she must be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

You can also use Rescue Remedy and get it at the Homeopathy store near the Church in Ajijic by Carlos Bazaar.

Has anyone used Rescue Remedy with success, and is it still available Lakeside? I'd be interested in your experience (good, bad or indifferent.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have successfully used it for cats who hated riding in cars. We drove down here from Denver and it kept my cat from crying the entire time - which was her usual response. The only times she cried was when the dog sat next to her crate. "He's blocking my view. He's taking all my air. I can't breath with his stinky dog breath in my face."

I haven't tried it on the dogs.

I have seen it at the Animal Shelter Store

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure Remedia Rescate/Rescue Remedy is available at most health food stores here. I bought ours at the place between Z gas and Telmex.

I think it works on small dogs more than large ones...i.e it worked on a Yorkie but I had to give a HALF a dropperful to get him to calm down. On a Malinois, it did boodiddleysquat but the thundershirt did help. It is, however, hard to get a thundershirt on a large dog who is lying down, nose into the corner of a closet and shaking like a leaf. Those dogs are now waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Our new Malinois (10 months old now) was born and bred in Chapala...she growls at the fireworks and the loud thunder (if she notices at all).

I truly sympathize with those dogs who are affected. I also understand the owner who is more than upset seeing their furkids so traumatized.

Try everything until you find something that works. The biggest problem with the cohetes here is that they are unpredictable...the dogs are usually in such a state by the time five minutes has elapsed that "the fixes" may or may not work.

Best of luck and please, if you find some kind of magical fix, share.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of our two Papillons is seriously afraid of thunder and lightning--she's even started getting really nervous if it starts raining. The thundershirt helps, but not enough. Judy has been giving her about 1/4 of a 3mg melatonin tablet at the onset of a storm, and that truly calms her down. Thank goodness, something that is readily available, inexpensive, and works well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have used counter conditioning for many years. I learned it as a youngster when we had "gun shy" bird dogs. Yes it takes time and patience but it deals with offering a positive solution. It further reinforces the training adage that you must forget the problem and deal with the solution. artthedogguy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been looking for "acupressure" for doggies for various ailments and came across this...there is a short video

http://www.rover-time.com/simple-effective-acupressure-anxious-dogs/

Basically, you can gently massage (in circles) the pits of the front legs. While the firecrackers are still going full tilt, it may be worth a try. Thundershirts do put pressure on these points but wouldn't you prefer a gentle massage?

I would be interested in feedback to know if this helps at all. My girl melted into a puddle at my feet when I tried this on her...but she's not afraid of the firecrackers and is not a good subject for feedback.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...