Calling Dr. Dogface or other vet.

[Targa Me]

My black lab freaks out when there is thunder or he hears fireworks.
I'm sure other dogs do the same thing.
What do you do to keep your dog calm during these times.

Doing New Years Eve, 4th of July or thunder storms we bring him inside to be with us but he still freaks out. He shakes uncontrollably.

Other than asking a vet for an Rx to calm him down what do you guys do?

Thanks in advance.

[gacook]

If we're out "celebrating," we make sure his dog door is open so he can cower in the house. If we're home, he either sits on my wife's lap (he's a BIG lab), or on his favorite spot on the couch while I pet and talk to him in a calm voice.

[Embraer]

putting my hands on my dog's chest calms him down

[Rikao4]

some folks have luck with those ..
thunder shirts (a wrap that supposedly comforts them..)

meds take time & can leave you with a doped up..
but still scared dog...


Rika

[scottmandue]

(Rika beat me to it) I have seen calming blankets, kind of like a sweater you put on the dog... I have no idea if they work. My cats just hide under the bed until the crazy humans cool it.

[Nostril Cheese]

I rub the inside of my dog's ears and also his belly. That always calms him down.

[crownarch]

Definitely try the Thunder shirt. One of our Jack Russell shakes and will cry on the fourth or during thunder storms however, is calm as a lamb with the shirt on.

[Rikao4]

Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment
info on how & why it seems work

[Bugsinrugs]

Our large lab Shepard would get in our small coat closet until the thunder stopped.

[Targa Me]

I'm gonna check into one of those Thunder shirts.

Thanks.

[Chocaholic]

Express his anal sacks.



Probably won't help with the thunder thing, but will certainly take his mind off of it for a short time.

[Bill Douglas]

I've got two border terriers. Fairly hard doer sort of mutts, chasing rabbits, play brawling, the usual dog stuff. One does not like fireworks and gets really upset. But the strange thing is he really likes hanging around the gun club LOL.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Express his anal sacks.



Probably won't help with the thunder thing, but will certainly take his mind off of it for a short time.

Thanks for that! Cleaning iced tea off the keyboard now...

We had a Lab-Rott mix that was pretty fierce in many ways but was terrified by thunder and fireworks. Kahlua and milk followed by confinement in a back bedroom with music playing fairly loudly worked pretty well. Before this trick she would attempt to tunnel to safety... through carpet and walls.

[scottmandue]

In an extreme case maybe look into boarding the dogs someplace quiet?

[tedg04]

We've used a sedative in the past, but you really have to have it on board for some time before the booming starts. Also heard great things about the Thundershirt, but haven't bought one yet.