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My dog is wrecking my house2007-11-25 2:11:44

Every time it storms or there are fireworks, my dog goes insane. It knocks things over to try and burrow and if we put it in the bathroom with a radio and the exhaust fan and the lights on, it bangs the door so hard that it has broken 3. We can never sleep if it rains either because the dog is scared when it rains too. IF there is no way to calm her, we will have to get rid of her, she is destroying our house. I've tried 3-4 kinds of pills to calm her and we've let her loose a couple times to find a "safe" place but all she does is break things. ANy suggestions?

Answers:

Sounds like she should have been better socialized to noises, rain, etc when she was a puppy.. When it storms crate her.. It makes no sense to get rid of a dog cause they have a problem like that.. Have you even tried talking to your vet about the problem??

When puppies are young, you go outside WITH them, and show them that rain isn't bad, storms aren't bad.. And you end up with an adult that will go out and pee when it's raining.. sleeps thru thunderstorms.. It's not hard..

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Yes. do the right thing and put the dog down. Can you imagine YOU living life like that? That is not fair to the dog to live its entire life in fear. Do not get rid of her, put her down instead.

ADD: For all those who do not agree with my opinion here, let me ask you this. Is that how you would want to live your life? Always feeling threatened, always feeling like the world will kill you? No? Why would you want the dog to live like that? Most, or some of you should know that this dog's condition is caused by genetic issues, a problem that a lot of dogs here seem to suffer from. Why torture her and let her live like this? Is it to satisfy your needs to have a dog alive regardless of what she feels? Think...

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You may have to junk one or the other.

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you are trying the right things, I'll give you that. And it's very clear your dog is scared ****less of storms and fireworks. I would maybe ask a professional trainer for help. All these standard things to try obviously aren't working. I mean outside of having an empty room set aside which isn't really a solution I can't think of anything else but a trainer might.

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Talk to the vet. I am assuming the pills were given to you by the vet, bit I'd ask for a referral to a dog behaviorist. They don't cost THAT much money and are well worth it. Plus have you considered crating in the meantime. Whatever is going on it doesn't sound normal to me. I would suspect something, at some time, might happened to her that made her fear the sound of thunder..could even been fireworks at Fourth of July..anything. I'd seek professional help before I'd even think of getting rid of the dog. There's no reason to think it can't be worked out.

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I absolutely disagree with Greekman. There is no reason to put your dog "down". Your dog isn't in pain or sufffering any type of injury. I suggest that you contact your Vet and set a date so you and her/him can come up with a solution and possibly some type of medication. My uncle has a chocolate lab, she is terrified of fireworks, so they went to the Vet Clinic and got a medication for her. On 4th of July, they give it to her and she sleeps through the whole thing. It does hurt or stun your dog, it just relaxes them (kind of like a laughing gas, but it's not a gas). So, call up your Vet and try to set a date! Good luck!

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I would try some training, I know it might not work. When there is no storm, get storms /firework, tapes (sounds of storm) and practice with her.