Anxiety Evils

Mom and Dad are really frustrated with me right now... They try not to show it, but I can tell. This week my anxiety has been out of control. Between the storms, minimal exercise, and new, temporary medication I'm taking, I have been a total psycho. (Sorry, Dad...)

  Mom is struggling to get my fears under control (she had to sleep on the couch with me last night because I kept waking Dad up in bed), but she's tried a few things and has advice for other doggy-parents that have to deal with behavior like mine.

1. ThunderShirt/Coat/Hat/Spray
Mom bought me a ThunderShirt and she puts it on before each storm. Though it doesn't strip away all my anxiety, it does swaddle me and make me feel a little safer. She takes it off after the storms so I don't get used to it. (Side note: Sometimes the tightness of these shirts makes a dog's anxiety worse, so be sure to know your dog and test it out.)

2. Distractions
Sometimes Mom fills a bone with peanut butter (and freezes it) or stuffs a toy with treats to keep my mind off of things. This works well... until the goodies are gone. Puzzle toys are a good way to keep my mind busy. Mental exhaustion is just as important as physical exhaustion when it comes to anxiety.

3. Exercise
Speaking of which, exercise is a BIG part of my anxiety. When Mom ignores my plea for a walk she usually regrets it later in the evening when I'm still energetic and hyper. Fetch, walks, swimming, runnning, etc. are the perfect ways to tire me out. I need to be totally wiped out by the time bedtime rolls around.

4. Soothing Environment
Mom covers my crate at night and sometimes leaves classical music playing for me. She's going to invest in a CD specifically for me! (Dog Ease) Lavender scents and limited vision tend to help nervous dogs, too.

5. Medication
Last and definitely least, medication can be used for dogs with separation, storm, travel, and general anxiety. Right now I'm on amitriptyline, which treats my general anxiety. (Mom checked it out- it's non-habit forming.) DO NOT MEDICATE YOUR FUR-BABY WITHOUT FIRST TALKING WITH YOUR VET! Our nice vet lady told Mom that Benadryl would work with me... Mom hasn't tried it yet, but I heard her tell Dad that she's going to try it with all these storms.

*** Storm phobia is a very real and scary in dogs. There's no way for us to "get over it" so if your plan is to just ignore us, I can tell you you're going to wake up to a broken cage, bloody dog, ripped-up couch, or worse. We need love, attention, and possibly a combination of the things listed above. It hard to be patient, especially in the middle of the night, but we're not being crazy on purpose... Just keep that in mind and let us stay close while the wind howls.

Special soothing recipes and concoctions are available online. Mom hasn't given me any yet, but some look really yummy. Be sure to research ingredients and only give us safe goodies!

- Lylee the Storm Chaser Chasee