Fi is afraid of thunderstorms. To assuage her fear, she barks her head off at lightning and thunder. Oh wait, that isn't cute at all.
Last night, she had a near death experience at my hands. Seriously, I was ready to let that dog out the front door and lock it twice. Ok, now that I've written that, it seems very mean-but I am not operating on a full night's sleep! I've tried the following during thunderstorms:
1. Shutting her in my bedroom and ignoring the barking. Definitely does not work-still barked. I would've used her crate, but it was out in my car.
2. Leashing her and popping her collar every time she barks. My shoulder is sore today from doing this, and I can only image how her neck must feel this morning. Failure!
3. Forcing her to lay on the ground and hold a "stay" position. Riiiight.
4. Squirting her with water every time she barks. She looked like she had a bath and my bed was so wet I thought maybe she had peed on it. Failure!
I'm thinking of trying the next two things:
1. Citronella collar that squirts her when she barks. These make me nervous, though. I know it's not painful, but it still seems kind of weird to use.
2. "doggie downers"-or some other kind of mild sedative when I know a storm is coming. I've asked my vet about these before and while he discourages their use, he does use them on occasion. Lucky for me, I am going to the vet next Tuesday.
Thoughts? What am I doing wrong? Have you ever used a citronella collar??
I NEED CESAR!!!!!!!!
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8 comments:
i have no idea! Fi, stop barking or you are gonna get it!
UMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....the CRATE WAS IN THE CAR!?!??! i would have DEFINITELY gone out and gotten it!
i thought it was at katys!!!!!!1
I have 2! One at my parents' and one in my trunk. But, I still think the crate would've ended up just like the bedroom-constant barking.
I found some calming treats online I am buying!!
Maybe you do some sort of sensory therapy and play a recording of a thunderstorm over and over until she goes hoarse or gets over it?
That's actually a good idea. Not sure how to simulate lightning, but good idea! Hopefully I won't get evicted.
I've heard that hiding in the closet during a T-storm is effective.
i'm all about drugging her. hahaha! :) if the vet gives you a hard time, claim she has allergies and have him write down the dosage for benadryl(thinking it's 1 mg per 10 lbs). there's also a sort of homeopathic choice called clomicalm for doggies!
Drop her off at Steve's. She can hang out with him in his closet, and maybe they can comfort each other.
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