Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

Any suggestions on what to do for hounds that are scared of thunderstorms and bigger fireworks?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 3370

I've spoken to a few vets about this and they don't know why dogs are afraid of weather. Nobody's ever seen a cat, horse, cow, chicken, goat or any other animal that's afraid of bad weather. Only dog's and nobody knows why or what to do about it.

__________________
Donald Bergeron

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2015
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 66

I don't know if I've ever seen a dog afraid of thunder, that wasn't also gun shy.

I start shooting guns around my dogs as soon as I get them, even if they're just puppies. I wait until they're eating or otherwise preoccupied and walk maybe 40 yards away and shoot a .22 rifle. If they ignore it, or if their head snaps up but they go right back to what they are doing, just keep doing this a few times a week, eventually getting closer, or moving up to a larger caliber. If they stop what they're doing and run the opposite direction, stop for the day and the next time you do it, do it from further away. Just gradually make the sound of guns a part of their everyday life.

I've never found a way to stop a gun shy dog from being gun shy once it's grown. If your dog stays in the house and has been crate trained, I'd put them in their crate during storms or fireworks, as most dogs feel safe in their crates. If they're outside kennel dogs, they can just ride it out in their dog houses.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport,TX
Posts: 1911

I’ve had many dogs through the years and only had one that was deathly afraid of thunder and gunfire...

But his owner which I had given the puppy used to target shoot deer rifles in his back yard...I am thinking that pup was about ruined with all that shooting...

__________________
Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

They’re coyote hounds, they’re fine with a 12 gauge or 223 but I guess that’s because they’re running game. The fireworks are just going off too close to my house

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22462

Freaking out over loud noises is a phobia. Psychologists have a name for it but I have forgotten what it is. There is not much that you can do about it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2012
Location: airville,pa
Posts: 2072

I have owned a few dogs that was afraid of thunder and fireworks. Guaranteed they was not gun shy.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2005
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 589

Dogs know the difference between a gun shot and thunder/fireworks.. I've had a few over the years and have one now that hates fire works, but you could shoot a coon out with a 12 gauge and he wouldnt' miss a beat.. LOL..

Just dogs, sometimes they are like us humans, irrational fear of strange things..

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

Thanks guys. I wasn’t sure if anyone had any tips on it or not.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2014
Location: missouri
Posts: 1143

I have a dog thats 4 and have had her since 8 week old puppy and she aint gun shy . When shes treed and hears a twannytoo go off shes waiting for it to hit the ground in kill mode !! But a large rifle or fireworks drive her crazy she paces the pen barking like an protective attack dog wanting to eat someone. shes done this since she was prob 5 months old. I live close to a retired guy that also target shoots ALOT and its mostly large rifles. something about those big booms she dont like em LOL my other dogs dont make a peep.

__________________
<<< SMALL TOWN ENGLISH KENNELS >>>

* GRNTCH PKC CH SMALL TOWN LONE SURVIVOR "LONER" DNA-VIP
(GRNTCH Cabin Creek Rowdy semen X GRNTCH CH Lonesome Dove Lori)
----- Chilled semen available, 463 million total sperm per collection sent - Quality Documented & Guaranteed as of 11-15-23 -----
-English Days 2020 - 3rd place Fri / High Scoring male & 1st place Sat night
-2021 UKC World TOP 100
-2022 TOC Qualified
-2022 UKC World Qualified
-2023 UKC World Qualified
-2023 PKC World Quarter Finalist TOP 105
- For more on Loner, Go listen to Episode #1 on The Coonhound Collective podcast on Spotify.


* GRNTCH CH LONESOME DOVE LORI ( 2018 UKC World top 25 ) World Qualified 3 years straight [ double bred , 2X WLD CH Eng Fem GRNTCH Backroads Rosie ]

* GRNTCH CH SMALL TOWN BINGO STAR DNA-VIP ( 2019 Winter Classic 2nd place ) [ HOF GRNTCH Wilcox Thunder Bingo X Dual Grand Tree Rockin' Nelly ]
(( Star is the Dam to 2021 Southern Eng Days High Scoring Male & Overall Winner ))



- Live breeding doesn't dictate the future success of a puppy any more than a frozen breeding does.

+ I am the Wretch the song refers to

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

That’s exactly how mine are acting and between several thunderstorms passing through lately and the big fireworks starting to go off it’s been a pain trying to keep them calm.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2015
Location:
Posts: 201

Believe it or not they make calming treats that really work. There are several kinds. I have one that’s scared of weather but definitely not a gun.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Don't know if these work but they make Thunder Shirts/Anxiety Vests for millions of pets/house dogs.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Don't know if these work but they make Thunder Shirts/Anxiety Vests for millions of pets/house dogs.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

I’ll look into the treats and shirts. Thanks.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1542

Homeopet Anxiety TFLN

it’s made for what you’re after

__________________
OLD TIMER

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2013
Location:
Posts: 195

quote:

---

Originally posted by pamjohnson
I have owned a few dogs that was afraid of thunder and fireworks. Guaranteed they was not gun shy.

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2004
Location: North MO
Posts: 2347

quote:

---

Originally posted by yotetrapper
I don't know if I've ever seen a dog afraid of thunder, that wasn't also gun shy..

---

__________________
YouTube.com/@canestreammedia
www.joydogfood.com
Fueled by Joy Podcast

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 684

That’s how mine are Josh

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2014
Location: Moline Illinois
Posts: 407

I have a lab that is gets spooked with fireworks, but you can shoot pheasants over him all day with no problems. Since there are only a few weeks when fireworks are going off Im not too worried about it. None of hounds have ever cared about fireworks

__________________
Dave Miller
5634994055
NtCh Miller's Alone Again Hannah

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 102

As far as thundershirts go, they do work for dogs that are scared of storms. We have a dog that's terrified of loud noises and simply wearing an old t-shirt helps calm her down during thunderstorms and fireworks. I don't know why and she'll never be able to hunt but she's a good house dog and guards the garden well.

__________________
Gloria

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged