Addressing Dogs’ Fear of Thunderstorms

Many dogs have this intense fear of sudden and loud noises, especially thunder. The moment they hear a thunderclap, their tail is tucked between their legs, they hunch, their ears droop, and they are scurrying looking for a safe place to hide from these strange and scary noises. Their hiding spot may not be enough to completely muffle out the loud sounds and the poor dogs end up spending the entire thunderstorm cowering in fear. As a response, owners try to make them feel safe by cuddling them and whispering words of comfort in the effort to take away their fears. However, studies have proven that whether or not you hold your terrified pooch, they will most likely remain upset during thunderstorms.

Study on Dogs’ Storm PhobiaThis fear of thunderstorms, also called “thunderstorm anxiety” or “storm phobia” is common among dogs. This is very stressful for the dog and also the owner who may feel helpless when faced with their dog’s panic. A study by Penn State University researchers was conducted to find out more about how thunder can affect dogs and what can be done to relieve them of their stress. Through dog saliva samples after a group of dogs were made to listen to a recording of a thunderstorm, veterinarians found out that the dogs’ cortisol level (a stress hormone) increased by 200% due to the thunder noises.

How to Lower Dogs’ Anxiety LevelsResearch has shown that although the act of comforting dogs during thunderstorms do not have a big effect on their stress levels, what does help is having other dogs in the household. In the study, dogs that had other doggy companions did not reach such a high level of stress and were quicker to calm down after a thunderstorm. Their cortisol levels were much steadier compared to dogs that lived alone with their owners.

But before you run out and buy another dog, seek advice first from your vet. After all, having many dogs in a household won’t entirely cure a dog of storm phobia. Your vet may be able to prescribe medications to help treat severe storm anxiety.

Remember that although holding a dog to try to comfort it may not be entirely effective, you can still help your dog out by creating a hiding place where they can feel safer during all the thunder. You can also play some music or turn the TV to loud to drown out the thunder.

Can Dogs Have Obsessive Compulsive Behavior?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests as repeated actions or thoughts, feelings, or sensations that makes one feel driven to doing something. It is a common behavior among humans and also among canines. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to developing this behavior. OCD can manifest in either one or two things that a dog will do over and over again, without changing the way they do it.

Some common canine behaviors that can be associated with OCD are dogs attacking objects, barking, pacing or running back and forth, non-stop licking, chewing, or biting themselves or objects, going around in circles, chasing their own tail, chasing shadows, or excessive digging. Do not mix up the OCD actions for just regular actions or habits. Symptoms of OCD are usually exaggerated behavior.

There are various reasons why dogs can develop OCD behavior:

• Stress – when a dog is anxious, it can start to show OCD behavior. Some root causes of stress can be related to the lack of social interaction with family members or with the dog owner, environmental changes, the addition of a new family member, separation anxiety, and loud noises such as fireworks.
• The need for more mental and physical stimulation – one of the reasons why dogs develop OCD is boredom. It can also depend on the breed’s temperament. Some may need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation for them to release pent-up energy. If these dogs are not given enough stimulation, they tend to develop obsessive behaviors. Schedule regular exercises such as daily walks and playtime, and provide them with toys that can mentally stimulate them.
• Neurological problems – it is not common but is often hereditary and manifests at a young age. A brain tumor can also cause OCD in dogs.
• Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior dogs – as dogs get older, like humans, they start to lose their mental capabilities. This is similar to Alzheimer’s and is how they process information in their brains. OCD is one of the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
• Allergies – if your dogs incur allergies due to dust mites, pollen, reactions to food, or insect bites, they may have irritated skin or hot spots which can be very itchy. They can start to reach for the areas bothering them and lick these spots, rub their muzzles on the grass, or lick their paws incessantly. Identify any irritated areas and ask your vet for advice on how best to treat them.

How to Address Your Dog’s OCD
If you notice any OCD behavior in your dog, determine the reason for it and ask for advice from the vet. Your vet may recommend a program or refer you to a dog behaviorist. Also, you can try some products that target OCD behavior such as the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) collar and other DAP products.