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No - Huskies aren't that big (remember that's only 4 1/2 weeks). It's a St. Bernard.

A ha! My girlfriend is much better at this guessing game. Congrats! Should be a real worker

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Brandy at my beck and call

Dezi asleep.



Awake.

Been meaning to ask, does anyone know how to handle little dogs that's scared of thunders?

My chihuahua would tremble and whine and begged to be picked up whenerver it rains. Watching the Dog Whisperer, I thought we were NOT supposed to immediately pet & carry him up, right? We've tried distracting him by turning up the TV volumes loud, giving him treats, etc., but it's too sad to see the little guy tremble like that!

Anyone with any effective suggestions?

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a few Pams...

From The Humane Society -

Method 2: Distraction
This method works best when your dog is just beginning to get anxious. Encourage her to engage in any activity that captures her attention and distracts her from behaving fearfully.

Start when she first alerts you to the noise and is not yet showing a lot of fearful behavior, but is only watchful. Immediately try to interest her in doing something that she really enjoys. Get out the tennis ball and play fetch (in an escape-proof area), or practice some commands that she knows. Reward her with praise and treats for paying attention to the game or the commands.

As the storm or other noise builds, you may not be able to keep her attention on the activity, but it might delay the start of the fearful behavior for longer and longer each time you do it. If you can't keep her attention and she begins acting fearfully, stop the process. If you continue, you may inadvertently reinforce her fearful behavior.

Method 3: Behavior modification
Behavior modification techniques are often successful in reducing fears and phobias. The appropriate techniques are called "counter-conditioning" and "desensitization."

These techniques must be implemented very gradually, and they condition or teach your dog to respond in non-fearful ways to sounds and other stimuli that have previously frightened her.

Begin by exposing your dog to an intensity level of noise that doesn't frighten her and pairing the noise with something pleasant, like a treat or a fun game. Gradually increase the volume as you continue to offer her something pleasant. Through this process, she'll come to associate "good things" with the previously feared sound.

Example:

Make a tape with firecracker noises on it.
Play the tape at such a low volume that your dog doesn't respond fearfully. While the tape is playing, feed her dinner, give her a treat, or play her favorite game.
In your next session, play the tape a little louder while you feed her or play her favorite game.
Continue increasing the volume through many sessions over a period of several weeks or months. If she displays fearful behavior at any time while the tape is playing, STOP. Begin your next session at a lower volume, one that doesn't produce anxiety, and proceed more slowly.
If these techniques aren't used correctly, they won't be successful and can even make the problem worse.

What not to do
Do not attempt to reassure your dog when she is afraid. This may only reinforce her fearful behavior. If you pet, soothe, or give treats to her when she's behaving fearfully, she may interpret this as a reward for her fearful behavior. Instead, try to behave normally, as if you don't notice her fearfulness.
Do not put your dog in a crate to prevent her from being destructive during a thunderstorm. She'll still be fearful when she's in the crate and is likely to injure herself, perhaps even severely, while attempting to get out of the crate.
Do not punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make her more fearful.
Do not try to force your dog to experience or be close to the sound that frightens her. For example, making her stay close to a group of children who are lighting firecrackers will only make her more afraid, and could cause her to become aggressive in an attempt to escape from the situation.
These approaches will fail because they won't decrease your dog's fear. Merely trying to prevent her from escaping or being destructive won't work, either. If your dog is still afraid, she'll continue to show that fear in whatever way she can—whether by digging, jumping, climbing, chewing, barking, or howling. Finally, know that formal training won't make your dog less afraid of thunder or other noises, although it could help boost her general confidence

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SHARKMAN

Thanks Sharkie. Actually I saw that. The problem is that my dog will start trembling long before any of us mere humans would realize there's a thunderstorm brewing. He can detect the coming rumbles long before we can actually hear a thunder! By then I think it's too late, as I can't seem to distract his attention away. He'll continue trembling even in my arms.

Loud noises other than thunder doesn't seem to bother him. Like when we watched a DVD of a hollywood action movie with explosions and what not, even with the subwoofer way up.

One of my wife's aunt in Singapore said that a pomeranian of hers actually died of a heart attack during a thuderstorm

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a few Pams...

Not a full endorsement but I've heard these can work :

http://www.thundershirt.com/

I know it seems hokey but it's the only thing that made my dog stop getting carsick.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I don't have dogs, I have a security system...

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End of Discussion.

Fascinatingly promising! Thanks Ian!!

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We bought one of these for our little guy. Although it doesn't stop the problem it HAS calmed him some. The trick is you've got to get it on before he gets "wiggy"!

Is that a beagle? It's beautiful...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Hannah comes to work with me every day. She's really getting into the holiday spirit around the office lately.
Reindog....

Hahaa!! Awesome!!

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Your dog looks pissed.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."