Comments on: Got a Stressed Dog? Try These Tips!

By: Bonnie Ramba

Bonnie Ramba — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:19:42 +0000

My greyhounds really don’t have stress issues EXCEPT when there is a thunderstorm! I am a real fan of Bach’s Rescue Remedy. I first started using it when I worked at a large pet store where we had multiple pet issues – especially foul tempered hamsters (which I love, by the way). By calming them with the Bach’s it gave me a chance to work with them with the result of a people friendly hamster – often even friendlier that the ones that were “good” when they came in. I’ve used the Bach’s with my greyhounds with much success during a thunderstorm. They make a storm away coat which if used before a storm gets bad, is supposed to help. I bought one recently but have not had an opportunity to “put it to the test” !

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:50:54 +0000

Ginger,

First, congratulations on your new family addition!

That is a great question because I think a lot of dogs stress during storms. Dr. Holly Nash wrote a really helpful article on our http://www.PetEducation.com site called Fear of Thunderstorms and Noise Phobias. Take a look at it here: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid=2545

One of her many good points is that you should “Project a calm attitude: Pets are very aware of the mental state of their owners. If you are worried or nervous, this will add to the pet’s fear.” I find that to be true with my dog in a few situations.

I’ve also recently discovered that LOTS of fun exercise makes my dog so tired that he simply doesn’t care what happens! Dr. Holly’s point… “Increase vigorous exercise: The pet should receive vigorous exercise daily, and more so on a day when the fear-producing noise is likely to occur.”

There are many other helpful tips, so take a look at the article. Please let us know if you find any other them are particularly helpful for your dog.

By: Ginger Spitzmiller

Ginger Spitzmiller — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:44:48 +0000

We have a 2yr. old male Golden Retriever that we recently adopted from another loving family. He typically stays outside and has a nice bed on our covered porch. We were warned that he does not like storms and would fuss outside. We quickly found that to be true, so we started letting him sleep inside in his crate during storms and in really cold weather. Lately he has started fussing like crazy in his crate-whining, yipping, banging around. He did that tonight during a storm and managed to move the crate enough that he got the door opened. Any ideas on what we can do to calm him?

By: Ellen B.

Ellen B. — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:52:35 +0000

Thank you all for your input. Dog behavior can sometimes be very puzzling to us owners, so your comments are very valuable and appreciated. Keep the tips coming!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:54:40 +0000

Hmmn Balto ? Jumping up on you or guests is not a good thing. I handled my dogs excitement upon returning home with a training tool we found to be most helpful. We placed some change in an empty plastic bottle kept it right outside my front door. Upon entering house as dogs excitedly approached us I shook the bottle ( makes a startling noise) and gave the command I use as “No” in a stern tone. We practiced this with them on and off through the day. It is important you be calm and assertive when doing this. Your dog will catch on and when he reacts correctly then go to where you have his treats and reward him with one . We are greeted by our dogs with great joy that we are back home, they come to us they get rubs and then they follow me to kitchen and sit by the treat jar knowing they did a good job and will be rewarded. It can’t hurt to try it ; )

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:24:39 +0000

I have same problem with my male GDS, some dogs just don’t like having thier nails clipped just like some people don’t like the dentist. I have had my dogs since they were 3 1/2 months old ( one female and one male they will be 3 years old this January) I treated them both the same and my female doesn’t mind nail clipping but my male like I said hates it, freaks out. My Vet gave me medication to give him 30 minutes before clipping his nails and even though it is upsetting to see him in a “la la ” state, I am glad I am able to clip his nails now.

By: Patricia Viamontes

Patricia Viamontes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:24:55 +0000

I have heard not to try to cut all the nails at once. Cut every other nail one day and the others another day. Perhaps when you are able to snip once nail…offer a much wanted favorite treat and repeat?

By: Melissa R.

Melissa R. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:14:07 +0000

Wow Cheri – sounds like you have a real problem with this fella’s poor feet! I am no expert, and am hoping some others chime in. I’ve never had much trouble with my dogs and their feet, but they have always been used to having their nails clipped. My first thoughts are to try to leave the nail clippers out all the time, so he gets used to just at least having them around. After he’s comfortable with them, lay them next to him all the time, give him treats all the time when doing so to help him be comfortable. I would hope sooner or later he would at least get used to the clippers being around, and thinking TREAT when he see’s them! treat, clippers, treat, clippers. All the while I would continue what you are doing by trying to get him use to you touching his feet. Treats, treats, treats. Just go slow and take your time and make him comfortable. Baby steps I guess. Hopefully your vet can help you out with some other suggestions on how to get over this. Anybody else have some suggestions?

By: Cheri

Cheri — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:53:15 +0000

OK I’ve got a major “stress issue” with one of my dogs. He absolutely freaks if you try to do anything with his claws. I was going to allow the Vet to trim his claws but after seeing how traumatized he became, listening to him cry from the waiting room just broke my heart, my Vet said the only way he would put him through it was to sedate him. I told him to let me think about it as I’m a bit of a worrier and the thought of him having to be knocked out for something as simple as trimming his claws really bothers me. I can’t help but feel that at some time someone hurt him while trimming his claws or it’s a part of the abuse we know he suffered before he found us at the local DMV and made it clear that he was adopting us and nothing we did would change that fact. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He’s gotten to where he’ll let me rub his feet and fiddle with his claws but if he even thinks that I’m going to do anything else he takes off or gives me a warning growl. Simply walking him up and down the road to keep them worn down is not doing that much good. HELP!!!

By: Dog Behavior Problems | DFS-Pet-Blog.com

Dog Behavior Problems | DFS-Pet-Blog.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:00:40 +0000

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