The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [37]
Grass is fine for dogs when it is free of pesticides, lawn chemicals, or other harmful substances. I recommend that you grow a container of grass for your dog to nibble on indoors or provide him with a patch of special greens in your backyard. You will be offering food that offers certain vitamins, minerals, and fiber not found in the meat in his food bowl. And don’t forget to entice his taste buds by adding some cooked or raw vegetables, such as green beans or carrots, to his food bowl.
Threatened by Thunder
Q I live in Indiana, where we have nasty thunderstorms that throw my dog into a four-legged panic. She whines and whimpers when the storms approach and then tries desperately to hide under my bed or in my bathtub. She shivers with fright. Why do thunderstorms cause this strong reaction?
A Sadly, your dog is not alone. Even before that first thunder boom or lightning flash, many dogs scurry into closets, crawl under beds, or leap into bathtubs. Some even try to dig through the carpet in a desperate attempt to hide, or crash through windows or doors to escape the terrifying noise. Fear of uncontrollable situations is a natural response in people and animals, but if fear worsens with repeated exposure to the stimuli, it can become a phobia. A phobia is defined as a fear that is out of proportion to the danger of the actual situation or event. There is nothing wrong with being afraid of walking on an icy sidewalk, for example, unless it causes you to stay inside all winter.
BREED BYTE
Owners of basset hounds, bloodhounds, bullmastiffs, and Saint Bernards have learned to keep plenty of towels on hand. These lovable dogs are the sloppiest of breeds.
Without proper intervention, phobias escalate with repeated exposure to the stimulus. For dogs, phobias often involve loud noises, such as the sound of thunderstorms, the backfire from a car, or skateboard wheels scraping on pavement. Dogs have been known to physically harm themselves — and others — in their attempts to escape these frightening sounds.
The first step in dealing with a fearful or anxious dog is to schedule a complete physical examination with your veterinarian to rule out any possible underlying medical problem, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or other condition. Anxiety-reducing medications can help some dogs with phobias, but it is also vital to reinforce basic obedience behaviors like sit, down, and stay, and to teach them to focus on an activity that distracts from the sound of the storm. Be sure to provide your pet with tasty treats during these training sessions.
Desensitization is often paired with counterconditioning. Desensitization uses baby steps to build your dog’s confidence. If he is afraid of loud noises, you expose him to the sound at low volume and reward him for being calm. You can purchase CDs of storm sounds at music stores or online. As he continues to demonstrate no fear, you gradually increase the volume. Counterconditioning associates the presence of the trigger (an approaching storm, for instance) with a positive experience such as eating or playing. You can also teach your dog to down stay in his crate or on a mat or other safe place when there are no storms around. Once he learns this relaxation behavior, you can teach him to settle down in that safe place during a storm.
These techniques require patience and make take quite a bit of time, so don’t expect an instant cure. Never punish a fearful pet by yelling or striking, because such actions can worsen his phobias and anxieties. Instead, touch your dog gently and speak calmly to reassure him but avoid excessive displays of concern or petting. Speak in upbeat tones, act happy, and divert your pet’s attention to a treat or fun activity. Your goal is to deliver a message that the storm is no big deal.