Discussions

Anyone know how to train my dog not to take the screen door out with his claws when it is lightning and thundering,he lives in the garage with a dog door for in and out access,he is fed in there and sleeps as well. But since last years tornado passing ontop of us he is petrafied by storms.He will do what ever it takes to get access to the gated deck and wants in the house so he starts cratching, and the screen door is 1st in line. I have built him a dog house and put it by the patio door with his toys and blanket in it, closed the drapes at the door so he cant see in ,just want his fear to go away.

Bring him in the house whenever there is a storm. It is very common for dogs to be terrified of thunder and lightning. Many have been so scared they panick and run, and not always a happy ending.  
 
If your 3-yr. old child was scared of storms, would you tell him to stay in his room and get over it?

If possible let him in your house until the storm passes, he probably will remain destructive if he is scared outside.

your dog needs to be with his 'pack' and that's his human owners! please let him in your home when he is terrified!

I am pretty sure you can buy something like this for your dog. It helps to relieve some of their stress. You would need to do some research on this. also, please let your dog stay with you. mine use to be terrified of storms.

If you let him in, he will expect it every time. We made that mistake with our dog, and she was 10 times worse until we worked it out. And, eBrandon posters...there are some times when you are NOT there to let your dog in: they will destroy your doors. Instead, teach them that there's nothing to fear. A Thundershirt or weighted vest can help: we never had to go this route with our dog (we just stopped letting her in during storms and spoke calmly to her outside before the storm: leading her to her doghouse: she still looks "afraid" but she's not trying to jump through our window screens...she just goes into her doghouse and waits it out.) Being outside in a storm isn't going to kill your dog, people. I wonder if even a dog harness with a blanket under it would work...just something with pressure to help them focus on something else. My dog would probably eat the blanket, but at least her focus would be on something else Good luck.

why is your dog kept in the garage? what a lonely existence for an animal. Of course your dog is terrified of storms, most are, but most people have their dogs living with them, in the house where they feel safe. Perhaps re-homing to a family who will do that is an option, at least for the dog.

You need to acclimatize them. My 7-year-old was just reading about this the other day and explaining it to me, LOL.  
 
You start with a recording of nature sounds with thunderstorms turned down very, very low, so they're not even reacting to it. Every day, turn it up just a hair. You'll need to reassure them and encourage them during this process. In theory, you can work your way up to full volume and the dog will have relearned that there's nothing to fear from the noise.

fuzzy slippers said "why is your dog kept in the garage? what a lonely existence for an animal. Of course your dog is terrified of storms, most are, but most people have their dogs living with them, in the house where they feel safe. Perhaps re-homing to a family who will do that is an option, at least for the dog. "

That's a bit harsh. So I suppose everyone with an outdoor dog should re-home? Give your head a shake, not every dog is an indoor dog. If you don't have any advice then don't say anything.  
 
OP have you tried covering screens with a large piece of cardboard? As above poster suggested try acclimatizing! Pretty sure you can get cd's or download noise off the internet Good luck!

DiD said "If you let him in, he will expect it every time. We made that mistake with our dog, and she was 10 times worse until we worked it out. And, eBrandon posters...there are some times when you are NOT there to let your dog in: they will destroy your doors. Instead, teach them that there's nothing to fear. A Thundershirt or weighted vest can help: we never had to go this route with our dog (we just stopped letting her in during storms and spoke calmly to her outside before the storm: leading her to her doghouse: she still looks "afraid" but she's not trying to jump through our window screens...she just goes into her doghouse and waits it out.) Being outside in a storm isn't going to kill your dog, people. I wonder if even a dog harness with a blanket under it would work...just something with pressure to help them focus on something else. My dog would probably eat the blanket, but at least her focus would be on something else Good luck. "

correct, he is a Noregion Elkhound, weighs about 100lbs, and has more hair than a sheep, believe me he does not want to be inside, he would melt.He likes to sleep in a snowbank in winter.He lives on a farm and likes to be out side except when it storms, we are not always home when that takes place and would rather he not be scared of it.I may try the climatize thing, not sure how he would like a harness, hmmm lunch

just my opinion, obviously the dog is in distress, how is that appropriate care? No, not all dogs are "indoor" dogs, but when they show signs of stress, human compassion seems to be the logical answer, dogs need their "pack". They need their humans, toys and blankets are not a substitute.

Seriously let him in when it's storming . Like hello

And the garage is no home for an animal . So sad

Maybe consult with a vet who specializes in behaviour, like Dr Mawer, before trying something like desensitization. A storm isn't JUST the noise, there are smells, changes in air pressure, wind, etc. Many behaviour experts do NOT recommend desensitization for dogs. After consulting with my vet, I got my small dog a Thunder Shirt:  
http://www.thundershirt.com/

My original thought was to tell you to bring him in with you, then I thought back to our farm days when we had large dogs and realized that wasn''t necessarily the answer. Although our 1st Scotch Collie would come in the house, any of our other large breed dogs refused to come in the house, even when I was worried about their well being during a storm. They'd be clawing the door to get out!!  
Rest assured, your big outdoor dog does NOT have a terrible existence with a garage as a warm, safe spot to lay his head, a loving family to interact with, food and water and a yard to protect :-)  
I wish I had more advice about how to help him during storms, though. Acclimatizing sounds like a great idea, but actually having sessions to do it could be difficult with a large, roaming, security farm dog.  
I hope you find an answer. Good luck!  
 
Edited by DNick, 2016-06-22 11:07:44

Abbysmum said "You need to acclimatize them. My 7-year-old was just reading about this the other day and explaining it to me, LOL.     You start with a recording of nature sounds with thunderstorms turned down very, very low, so they're not even reacting to it. Every day, turn it up just a hair. You'll need to reassure them and encourage them during this process. In theory, you can work your way up to full volume and the dog will have relearned that there's nothing to fear from the noise. "

This works well.  
 
It is the same way with infants - if you have everyone tiptoe around and try to be quiet while they are sleeping they are trained to wake with any noise. The same principle works here - the more noise and startling they become accustom to, the less likely they are to over react.  
 
And, make sure if there are storms on the way you make sure they get extra exercise before it comes. The more pent up energy an animal has, the worse off they are.

vet for an opinion. Perhaps those weighted vests would work. What about creating a sheltered area for him to hide in the garage? I know many dogs who want to be in and under something "safe" during a storm. The vet may recommend a type of anxiety med as well.. good luck!

the Noregion Elkhound is a tri coat dog, similar to the Samoyed. You may think he's hot because of his fur but they're not. their fur is a natural insulator and after they drop their third coat in the spring they are cool as a cucumber.

Why do you have this dog? He is afraid and wants to be with his family. If you cannot have this animal in your house and interact with family on a daily basis then do yourself and your poor dog a favour and find him a loving family. I have 2 cats and a dog and they all are in the house, sleep on my bed and love my family as I love them. My dog is afraid of storms and fireworks but it is okay - he is my dog child. Shame on you!!

You say Shane on the OP, and I say, Shame on you! The op did not seek advice on how to find her dog an alternate home. Unless you have advise to give, mind your business. Geez!

Maybe some of you need to get off of ebrandon and maybe google stuff about dogs. They are not meant to be inside ESPECIALLY a Norwegian Elkhound. They were breed for hunting and not sitting on ur lap on the couch. Be constructive and if you dont know what you are talking about then maybe dont speak. Sorry OP for having to put up with these dimwits.

Knucklehead said "    fuzzy slippers said "why is your dog kept in the garage? what a lonely existence for an animal. Of course your dog is terrified of storms, most are, but most people have their dogs living with them, in the house where they feel safe. Perhaps re-homing to a family who will do that is an option, at least for the dog. " That's a bit harsh. So I suppose everyone with an outdoor dog should re-home? Give your head a shake, not every dog is an indoor dog. If you don't have any advice then don't say anything.     OP have you tried covering screens with a large piece of cardboard? As above poster suggested try acclimatizing! Pretty sure you can get cd's or download noise off the internet Good luck! "

sorry but every dog IS an inside dog! try adopting from the humane society or a rescue and telling them it will be an outside dog! dogs are pack animals and excluding them from the pack in times of stress is cruel but unfortunately,due to a lack of education or the inability to have empathy with a non-human creature, it's a human thing to do.

You go outside with him? That way he won't be scared, he will have his pack leader with him.

humane society opinion is gospel? Get serious. I don't give two cents for their opinion. A farm dog can be perfectly happy outside-they aren't all meant to be inside dogs. On a farm a dog often gets more human company outside than many house dogs ever do. City people work jobs and are away from home for hours on end. Shame on them they should stay home with their dogs. Farm dogs tag along and hang out with their people when checking livestock, fencing, feeding, watering, gardening whatever.  
 
As for the storm anxiety-it is true it is often more than just the lightning and thunder that scares the dog. There is the change in pressure as mentioned above.  
 
personally I would cover the screen and then give the dog something to hide under-by the door. If you're home then perhaps let him in until the storm passes.

We have an outside farm dog. First few times that thunderstorms approached we made the effort to go spend time outside with the dog. Spoke calmly and did some fun stuff like playing his favorite games / fetch etc. They are smart and learn by association just like most of the rest of us. He sleeps outside through any storm now.

I agree, spend time out side with the animal during the storm, day or night. Sounds like a pain in the butt, but it worked for me, and I had a little different situation (my dog is an indoor / outdoor dog but storms still terrified her. So it took me 3 or 4 storms taking her out day and night (2:00AM one night. and now she stays out in them with no stress.......wish you luck !

some essential oils to help my dog with anxiety, separation anxiety and few due to storms. It's worked really well. the thundershirt didn't work so well, as it made him too hot, but I still have it if you want to buy it.

thirsty said "    Knucklehead said "    fuzzy slippers said "why is your dog kept in the garage? what a lonely existence for an animal. Of course your dog is terrified of storms, most are, but most people have their dogs living with them, in the house where they feel safe. Perhaps re-homing to a family who will do that is an option, at least for the dog. " That's a bit harsh. So I suppose everyone with an outdoor dog should re-home? Give your head a shake, not every dog is an indoor dog. If you don't have any advice then don't say anything.     OP have you tried covering screens with a large piece of cardboard? As above poster suggested try acclimatizing! Pretty sure you can get cd's or download noise off the internet Good luck! " sorry but every dog IS an inside dog! try adopting from the humane society or a rescue and telling them it will be an outside dog! dogs are pack animals and excluding them from the pack in times of stress is cruel but unfortunately,due to a lack of education or the inability to have empathy with a non-human creature, it's a human thing to do. "

I'm sorry but of course the humane society is gonna say they're an inside dog. It's to ensure they're going to be kept home and not end up back at the humane society. It's not inhumane to leave a dog outside as long as it has food, water and a decent shelter from the elements.  
 
You can't tell me every dog is an inside dog. I have a family member with a HUGE Saint Bernard and if you were to let him in the house he would knock everything over.  
 
So no, not every dog is an inside dog.  
 
Another good example is Great Pyrenees. Their breed is meant to live outside with cattle and protect the heard. Definitely not an inside dog.  
 
I agree you spend time with you're dog and love it, but to let it get it's own way will only cause the issue to worsen. It's like feeding into a child's bad habits.