Title: Help For The Shih Tzu With Thunderstorm Phobia
Author: Connie Limon
Is your Shih Tzu afraid of thunderstorms? In this article read
how you can manage your Shih Tzu's thunderstorm phobia.
Dogs are able to sense thunderstorms an hour or more before
they hit. If your Shih Tzu is one with a thunderstorm phobia
they may begin to pant, pace, salivate and paw at doors
excessively long before the storm ever hits. When thunder
sounds, they might shiver, whimper or even become a bit
destructive such as scratching at doors and floors to the point
that they hurt themselves. Strange as it may sound, there are
many breeds of dogs, not only the Shih Tzu, who have
thunderstorm phobia.
Opposite to the Shih Tzu with thunderstorm phobia, I have a
Shih Tzu I call Wally who actually tries his best to be outside
in the midst of the thunderstorm. I have a very difficult time
getting him inside if one blows up suddenly during thunderstorm
season. He just loves it in a thunderstorm. Several times I have
not been able to get him inside. When the storm is over he comes
in all wet and happy as can be. He truly enjoys being in the
midst of a thunderstorm.
However, there are many Shih Tzu and other dog breeds not like
my Wally, who are terrified of thunderstorms. What can you do to
help your Shih Tzu during these times?
There are sedatives you can use to calm them, and you can also
try finding a place for your Shih Tzu where he will feel safe
during the thunderstorm. Try the bathtub, or any place in your
house where the Shih Tzu stops the anxiety symptoms. If you have
a room where there are no windows, this may help the Shih Tzu to
keep him from seeing the lightning of the storm. It should be a
quiet place.
If you use sedatives be aware that although they may sedate the
Shih Tzu, he may still have feelings of anxiousness, even though
it does not show with signs of agitation. So there are drugs on
the market today to specifically treat anxiety in dogs. Ask your
vet for this possible solution.
Animal behaviorists recommend counter-conditionin
desensitization. In counter-conditionin
Tzu, you would teach the Shih Tzu to settle and relax on
command. Teach the Shih Tzu to go to her bed and lay down on
command when it is not thundering. When the thunder comes, she
already understands the command when you now give it to her.
The worst thing you can do is reward the Shih Tzu for acting
anxious. Do not give the Shih Tzu pet treats, praise and
consolation for panting, pacing, and whimpering.
Try playing CDs or audio tapes of thunderstorms to desensitize
the Shih Tzu to the noise. Start the CD quietly, and then play
it a little louder. At the same time tell the Shih Tzu to go to
its bed and relax. When the Shih Tzu obeys this command, reward
the Shih Tzu with praise and a favorite treat.
You can also try a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) diffuser, an
over-the counter product available at most pet stores. It
resembles a Glade Plug-in. The diffuser releases a pheromone
that is similar to the one that mother Shih Tzu releases when
their puppies are nursing. It is suppose to be very calming. The
device simply plugs into the wall. Combine a DAP diffuser with
behavioral training and drug therapy.
As you can see, there are several options for Shih Tzu owners
with Shih Tzu who experience thunderstorm phobia. In review,
they are as follows:
• Medication
• Pheromones
• Training
• Simply allowing the Shih Tzu to seek its own hide-out during
the storm
• A combination of all the above
Disclaimer: This article is for information. Always seek the
professional advice from your vet for any kind of physical,
emotional or mental problems a Shih Tzu experiences.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
About The Author: Connie Limon, Breeder of pet and show
prospect Shih Tzu in a variety of colors. Please visit us at
http://www.staingla
newsletters. Our website offers a wealth of information. Puppies
are sold with health guarantee and are bred from champion
bloodlines. Please also visit our collection of Shih Tzu
articles at http://shihtzuartic
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