Dear Mary, My dog, a Heinz 57 mix named Cisco, is deathly afraid of thunderstorms. He goes berserk in his crate if I’m not home when the storm hits and will soak himself in slobber from his panting. He has even broken his teeth off in his terror. He is only slightly better when I’m home. I feel terrible but have no idea what to do to help him with this fear. Do you have any suggestions? Lisa, Bar Harbor, MA

Dear Lisa, Thunderstorms definitely rank up there as the ultimate boogey-man for many dogs. There are several things you can do to help Cisco cope with his fears. First, when you suspect the weather will turn foul take an unscented dryer sheet (i.e. Bounce) and thoroughly rub Cisco down. Thunderstorms are electrical in nature (hence the flashes of light and booming sounds) and bring an added charge to the air as they approach. A dog’s fur acts like thousands of miniature lightning rods picking up the charge, causing the skin to tingle and to set an anxious dog on edge. By removing at least some of the physical sensation you will give Cisco a bit of relief.

Next, I would give him some Bach Flower Essence Rescue Remedy and Red Chestnut (available at health food stores). If you will be gone during the day and expect storms to arrive while absent, give him a dose with his breakfast. Small dogs (under 20 lbs.) may have 1-2 drops of each, medium-sized dogs (40-60 lbs) 3-4 drops, and 5-6 drops for large or giant dogs. If you are home and the storm is expected to arrive in the next hour or so you can give Cisco the dose then by putting the drops on an absorptive treat such as a cracker or tiny piece of bread. If he objects to these types of treats (or he is on a restricted diet) you can try a small spoonful of tuna with the drops.

I would also recommend you try using one (or both) of these therapeutic essential oil blends made by Young Living (www.YoungLiving.com): Peace and Calming, or Valor. I put one drop on the muzzle of dogs that have a decent length muzzle. If Cisco is short-nosed, you may put the drop under his chin.

I also recommend that you put on some soothing classical music for Cisco. This isn’t so much to drown out the storm, as it is to provide an auditory distraction, one that takes the focus off of the crashing outside. Make sure you pick something soothing—no Tchaikovsky, Mozart or Copland. Instead think of piano sonatas or stringed pieces such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D.

Make sure that the curtains are drawn in the room where his crate is, to lessen the changes in light levels with lightning flashes outside. If that isn’t possible, you might consider throwing a dark sheet (nothing too heavy as you do not want to cut off air circulation) over the top and sides of his crate. Do not completely cover his crate, as that may induce claustrophobia.

Many pets benefit from having something to chew on (or tear up) when stressed, much as some people bite their nails or twirl their hair when nervous. When our pug, Sassy, is inclined to be stressed by a situation, I offer her a pig ear or small piece of rawhide to chew. She is a bit high-strung and the act of chewing helps her to cope with anxiety. Be sure to discuss appropriate toys or treats with your veterinarian.

It is important that you remain calm about approaching storms since Cisco will pick up on the slightest indication of tension from you. If you will be gone, acknowledge that it may rain out loud but be sure to tell Cisco that he will be safe and he is to just relax and snooze the sleepy day away. By staying nonchalant, you are encouraging Cisco to do the same.

If all else fails you may wish to consider a natural sedative such as Nutricalm or Valerian root (one of the herbs in Nutricalm). Be sure to speak with your veterinarian before administering any supplement, and read directions carefully.

Just like people compulsively crack their knuckles or pick at their nails, dogs can become obsessed with their feet or legs. Oftentimes the behavior starts with an injury where the dog’s natural instinct is to lick the wound to speed healing (licking stimulates circulation). What starts out as a healing tactic becomes an ingrained pattern. Soon the dog is licking his leg raw and driving his owner to distraction.

Talk to your vet to make sure your pet is not experiencing undue pain. Surgical wounds, bites and other injuries often itch when healing. If this is the case try to keep your pet from licking the leg with a strip of old sheet (men’s hankies also work well) gently wrapped around the area. Be careful that the wrapping isn’t too tight or you could injure a tendon or cut off circulation. If possible, wrap the strip around several times so that you have at least two layers protecting the vulnerable area. Take a small amount of bitters, such as No-Chew or apple bitters, and brush a very small amount on the top layer using a cotton swab or watercolor paintbrush. Under no circumstances should the wrap be saturated. The taste of the bitters will discourage your dog from licking. I also recommend giving him some Bach Flower Essence Chestnut Bud, which is helpful for treating compulsive behaviors (use the same dosing levels listed above in “Mailbag” for Rescue Remedy).

For hot spots I suggest using a mixture of pure aloe gel (no additives, available at health food stores, or easy to grow at home) and a bit of therapeutic grade calendula essential oil (make sure the bottle is labeled “therapeutic”). I use 2-3 drops of oil to one tablespoon of aloe. This remedy has an antihistamine effect on sensitive skin. If you have difficulty locating the calendula, you may substitute a combination of therapeutic grade lemongrass and lavender oils (two drops of each). If your dog ingests the aloe, you may have to discontinue using since aloe can cause mild diarrhea. I have also had success using an herbal product by Schreiner's. They make one specifically for hot spots (available at many pet stores) but I've also used the herbal spray made for horses on my dogs (similar formula). The horse version is available at most tack stores.

Treat the problem as you would a child with the chicken pox who is driven to scratch his sores by providing your pet with distractions such as toys or chews.

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Disclaimer - Information given in this newsletter is not intended to replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian or other qualified professional. Mary Marshall does not assume any legal responsibility. Readers should consult with qualified professionals for specific diagnosis, treatment or training advice.