Poor Dog Having a Hard Time With Florida Lightening!

[Feralpeg]

My poor Griffin is having a very hard time adjusting to the storms. We have had a least one thunderstorm every day since we moved to the Orlando area a little over a week ago. Since he gets upset, we put him in a metal dog crate the other day while we went car shopping. We we came home, he had tried to force his way out of the crate. He pushed his head out, but was caught at the neck. It scared DD and I so much. I literally pulled the crate apart to get his head loose. He was okay, but he bruised his face very badly. I took him to the vet today because his face around one eye is so swollen he can barely open his eye. The vet gave me puppy tranquilizers to give him when we need to be away from home and it is supposed to storm. I don't care if he destroys the house, I won't be putting him in the dog crate again! It stormed again today. Very intense lightening. He just layed beside me or DD until the storm was over. I hope the medication works. It would be a real bummer to be in Florida and never be able to leave home because it might storm and scare the dog!

 

[msdznyduck]

Poor puppy...........we live in NJ and my 7yr old dog still is not very happy during storms. Barks with every clap of thunder and stays next to me during the whole storm. Good luck, and I hope the medication works.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Feralpeg, your dog sounds like me!! I hate being outside when there's a thunderstorm. I don't do to well with the lightning and of course the big sound of the thunder. What do you think about the thunderstorm there so far? Is it as bad as you thought or not bad at all? I hope your dog will be alright and I hope he will get adjusted to the Florida thunderstorm. And I hope you move went well.

"May you find peace and happiness in your new home!"

Telly

 

[Feralpeg]

The storms have been really intense since we got here. It has stormed ever day. The good news is that this is the stormy season. We've been told that June and July are the worst storm months. After that, things calm down. I'm sure my dog will get used to it, but it may take awhile. I won't stay outside during a thunderstorm. As long as you stay inside away from the windows, you will be fine. Good luck to you on your upcoming move!

 

[Lachesis00]

I worry about my cats in Az.... they do not like loud noises of any kind... even a plastic grocery bag "sound" wigs them out.

 

[dvcgirl]

Hi FeralPeg...

We're moving to Orlando soon and also have a dog who is very frightened of thunderstorms and fireworks. I already have some meds to give her if we go out during a storm. I've never had to give her any here in NJ, but the storms in Florida are worse. If we're home during a storm now she just pants and follows me everywhere. If she's really freaked out she'll run upstairs which I guess makes her feel safe. You may want to try and create a "safe hole" for your dog where he knows he can go when there is storm. Encourage him to go there when a storm hits and maybe stay with him and comfort him until he gets the idea. A master bedroom closet might do the trick. Maybe put a doggie bed there for him and I've even read that some people put a battery operated radio in that area to play soft music during a storm. I think if you work with the dog he'll improve. I'd avoid the crate thing because he sounds like he can really hurt himself, but I've also read about cases where dogs (especially strong males) have gone right through plate glass windows. I hope it all works out for your dog!

 

[Galahad]

Wait until you dog has to deal with the Florida 4th of July and the Florida New Years Eve. Fireworks every where for weeks before and after with virtually no limit. Our dogs were miserable every summer and it wasn't the heat.