Dog Community

Terrified Terrier!

Posted : 9/1/2006 4:51:57 AM

First let me just say that I'm new here - So, hello fellow dog lovers!! Now, down to business... I have a problem on my hands.

2 years ago, I rescured a (then) 4 year old American Pit-Bull terrier from the Humane Society where I worked at the time. This poor animal came to us in rough shape! Starved, and very obviously abused. He had a number of issues when I brought him into my home. Fear of men, food aggression, dog aggression, and an absolute out of control fear of thunder-storms, fireworks, guns, and anything else that makes a sudden or loud noise. 2 years later, he is a much better, and seemingly much happier dog. We no longer have problems with men, food aggression, and we've even learned to get along with some dogs (we're still working on that one). However, I have yet to break him of the fear and anxiety he suffers when it storms, and the 4th of July is the worst day of the year around my house. His behavior includes (but certainly is not limited to): digging up carpet/flooring, chewing on doors/wood work, and he has even gone so far as to destroy two crates from the inside out (he ripped the doors right off of both of them). I've talked to a number of people, and tried a number of things (mostly, to no avail). A local dog-trainer and good friend of mine suggested that I buy a CD of noise - thunder-storms, rain etc. Play it, and as the dog gets used to the sound, turn it up. Now, I have a very large surround sound system in my house, so we had pretty much endless possibilities here. Unfortunetly, the dog is so used to the surround sound system that he did not react to the CD at all. To him, it was just as if we were watching TV or listening to the radio full-blast. He layed comfortably on his pillow and thought nothing of this method. Next, I tried (at the advice of my mother) to give him treats when it would storm. Relating something good to something bad, could possibly even it out. This didn't work at all! The dog is so terrified he won't even accept treats during a a storm. So I tried playing with him and his favorite toy instead of giving him treats. A little harmless distraction, and a great way to burn off some energy (for both of us). Come to find out, he's also too scared to play. From there I moved on to calmly ignoring him all together, or simply (and calmly) correcting his bad behavior. No luck! So, I started crating him, and this works great - if I'm home. Unfortunetly I have to work, and a thunder-storm isn't really a good reason to call in sick. And boy do things get messy when I'm not home. Both of the times he destroyed his crates where times when I was away at work. In both cases, he has destroyed part of my home, and in one case he hurt himself. Either chewing on the woodwork, or ripping the door off of his crate, he cut his jaw open. By the time I returned home from work he was covered in his own blood and whimpering. I had to take him in for stitches!! Finally, I have recently resorted to sedating him everytime I have to leave the house and it might storm. So far, this has worked well, but I hate having to do it! I'm not happy with the way it makes him feel, and I don't really feel like he's happy with it either. The sedatives make him unable to stand or walk, even hours after taking them, they cause his eyes to look blank and empty, as if there were no living being in that body, and what I hate most of all (and what truly scares me) is the way in which they affect his breathing. It goes from normal, to extreamly heavy, and finally very shallow and slow as if he weren't breathing at all. I've actually had to check his pulse (which is pathetic in it's own right), because it seems to me like he stops breathing all together. While I appreciate the fact that the drugs stop him from hurting himself, and my house - I don't think any living being should have to live like that! It's sick!! Is there anything more I can do for him? Something that doesn't involve drugs and is humane? I'm out of ideas, and seemingly out of options. Any tips any one can give me will be greatly appreciated!!

regards,
Monica & Leroy, the terrified terrier

NicoleS

Posted : 9/1/2006 11:03:06 AM

Hi Monica! Welcome to the forum

Yikes!! yes you do have a handful, and I'm sorry to say I don't have much to offer, but good luck!!

I know there are natural ways to reduce anxiety - have you tried any? Rescue remedy or other natural things? Obviously its better if you're there, but the rescue remedy can be put into his water so if he drinks he gets some...... maybe it would help enough so he doesn't hurt himself?

Other than that.... sounds like you tried everything I might suggest. I hope someone else has better ideas for you. Best of luck!

And your boy looks adorable! I'm partial to the brindle myself [

] (as you can see from my avatar)

Monica

Posted : 9/1/2006 4:52:53 PM

Thanks for the tip. I guess I never really have tried any of the natural ways to curve his anxiety. I'll check into it though.

Lynn

Posted : 9/2/2006 1:40:13 PM

Patricia McConnell has a book called The Cautious Canine. It's only $ 6 on amazon. It's on my "to get next" list, so I haven't read it yet. For that price, you couldn't lose, and might get some very good tips out of it.   BTW, I love your dog. It's so wonderful that you've taken him in and given him a loving home. My 50 lb boy isn't as scared as yours, but he has always been fearful - from the very beginning. He will not take treats or play with toys, either, when he is scared.   It's kinda funny in a way that these big, muscular dogs can be such scaredy-cats! But, it's not funny that your baby is hurting himself and destroying home while being scared.

Does playing calming music, classical, or piana, or something help while during a storm? They have learned that medical patients undergoing diagnostic procedures need less pain medication if they are listening to music. So, maybe the right type of music would help to "drown" out some of the storm sounds, and therefore, help to reduce the anxiety? Or maybe a tape of your voice, speaking calmly too him, or singing happily?

As far as the meds go, maybe you can reduce the dosage? Those breathing and out-of-it behaviours would really scare me, too! I know with sleeping pills for humans, 1/2 dosage works about as well as a full pill without as bad a side effect. You might also try another brand of medication, if you still have to use it while re-training. I wouldn't try a new medication without being at home to see how he reacts, at first. I sure hope you can get him off the meds.

I don't advocate getting another dog at this time. But, maybe being around another dog that he is really good friends with would help. So, he's not "alone". Maybe developing a good doggy friendship with someone? Could he go to work with you on those days? Probably not. So, could he go stay with some one else? Maybe there is someone you trust who is retired and could dog-sit on those scarey days?    My big scaredy dog "needs" his sister by him -or he gets seperation anxiety. Where one goes, there the other MUST be. So, in the end, it might be helpful to get another dog - if your dog is not dog-aggressive. I would want behaviour consultation in his case, before deciding to bring in another animal. So, it may be doing a little of several things that might help the most.    Good luck!