ThunderHut
Information
Veterinary Medicine experts are consistent in their
suggestions for treatment of Thunder Phobia in dogs:
"What can I do to help? Try to create a safe
place for your dog to go to when she hears the noises that frighten her. You can
also create a "hidey hole" that is dark, small and shielded from the frightening
sound as much as possible."
- Humane Society of the United States website
- Humane Society of the United States website
"Safe houses can be created inside houses too
... I've had several clients who did the counter conditioning in a closet or
sound-insulated dog house, and ended up with a dog who was still a bit nervous
about thunder, but simply went to her safe house and curled up and slept through
the storm."
- Patricia McConnell, "The Other End of the Leash", 2008
- Patricia McConnell, "The Other End of the Leash", 2008
"Provide a safe place for him and encourage,
but don't force your dog to go there. Since most dogs with thunderstorm phobia
will look for tight quarters, a little igloo doghouse somewhere in the home (NOT
OUTSIDE) can make him feel like he's safe."
- Old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com, 2009
- Old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com, 2009
"Create a secure retreat, such as a closet
(add a doggie door for self access and to prevent claustrophobia), or a crate in
a darkened room. Dogs that become destructive must not be confined in a place
where they can get hurt -- the objective is to allow a sense of holing up, not
to imprison the fearful dog. The more soundproof the area the better, and the
addition of blocking noises - such as loud radio or television - help mask some
outside storm noises.
- Peggy Morgan, Dog World Magazine (2002)
- Peggy Morgan, Dog World Magazine (2002)
"You can also provide a safe haven for your
pet. Some dogs will hide under beds, under covers, and similar
places.
Closets, bathrooms, basements and crates are areas you can use for confinement and to provide an area they will consider safe because it is snug. I happen to prefer those locations because it limits escape options and destructive behavior."
- Diana L. Guerrero, Ark Animal Answers, Aug 2008
Closets, bathrooms, basements and crates are areas you can use for confinement and to provide an area they will consider safe because it is snug. I happen to prefer those locations because it limits escape options and destructive behavior."
- Diana L. Guerrero, Ark Animal Answers, Aug 2008
"There are a variety of methods that try to
"insulate" the dog from the sound. Providing a crate that is coveres with a
heavy blanket and placed in a room that is away from windows is especially
helpful for noise phobic dogs that attempt to hide."
- Westlake Animal Hospital and Boarding Kennel, 2008
- Westlake Animal Hospital and Boarding Kennel, 2008
Suggestions:
For the crate-trained animal:
- Reinforce the ThunderHut covered crate as being a nice place, by the use of treats or other rewards, during quiet times.
- As a storm approaches, encourage your pet to go to their "home".
- Do not force them or lock them in, as this may make the shelter a negative place.
- Work on encouraging your pet to seek out the ThunderHut as a preferred safe haven, and over time (often very little time), your pet will find refuge.
For the animal that has not been crate-trained the same method is recommended, but an introduction to the ThunderHut (Free Standing unit), again by treats or other reward, is necessary as a first step.
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