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Chat dogs with Leigh Siegfried of Opportunity Barks
 
12:39
Opportunity Barks -  Hey folks, Leigh Siegfried (of Opportunity Barks Behavior & Training) here standing by to answer your behavior and training questions.  
1:00
[Comment From Jeff]
Hello Leigh, I have an 11yr.old Male German Shepherd. He's been a great companion, loving, playful, and of course fearless. He has developed a recent "fear" that worries me. Thunder and Lightning seem to freak him out....not in an agressive manner , but he shakes and wants to be very close to me or my wife during storms...Even the noise of heavy rain bothers him. In the past, it never bothered him at all. He's a senior dog but in great shape...a real stunner. Any insight to the storm thing?
1:08
Opportunity Barks -  

Thanks Jeff, sometimes storm and thunder phobias can seem to appear from thin air or some traumatic event that may have slipped under the radar. Some theorize that it's the drop in barometric pressure or a static charged field that these dogs are particularly sensitive to. In any case here are a few recommendations.
1. Try high value chewies- stuffed Kongs, marrow bones. I have one colleague that found her Collie did quite well when she ignored him and gave him a pizzle or bully stick to chew on.

2. There is something out there called the "Storm Defender Cape" (no kidding).
And basically you put it on the dog and in many cases it makes an immediate difference (reduces the static charge I believe). Many dogs will try to "ground" themselves in bathrooms- shower stalls or tubs, and it's thought that this is because this is the place in most homes where the electricity is grounded.  

Another thing to consider is an "anxiety wrap" (also a dog product) or a tight fitting garment on him. This in some cases helps release endorphins and is akin to a swaddling a baby in a blanket and may have some calming benefits.

3. You can try desensitizing him to tapes of storms (play on low for a short period of time and feed treats). Another thought is perhaps consulting with your Vet for medication that may be helpful in acute situations (several rainy days back to back in the spring, for example).  

 Hope that helps! And here's to blue skies!

1:08
[Comment From Zoe]
Hi Leigh- I have a one year old puggle (a graduate of Opportunity Barks puppy training!) and we just moved into a new apartment where we are trying to get him off of pee pads and outside- he does ok during the day with telling us he has to go out, but at night he will just go in the apartment- how can we change this behavior?
1:12
Opportunity Barks -  Hi Zoe,  
At night, make sure you have some management in place. For example, if he is loose in the house, and he just wakes up and "does his thing", we have no real way of preventing or managing him (and he knows it!).

Practice makes perfect and if he's learning to wake up, take a quick tour of the house, pee in the dining room and curl back up in bed, I'd recommend a crate or an exercise pen set up with a bed on one end and papers on the other. That way, if he has to go, he'll have an appropriate spot to do so.

Another thought is to have him wear a belly band at night, that may help prevent accidents.
 To eliminate the pads all together can be a toughie, especially if that's what his routine has been for the last year. Consider replacing the pads with sod (or putting sod on top of the pads) to help ease the transition.
 
 Is he going outside at all for you?
1:12
[Comment From John]
High Leigh. Is that a GSP you're leaning against? We're thinking about getting one as a pet and want to know if they make good house dogs. We understand that they're a hunting dog by nature.....
1:16
Opportunity Barks -  John,  
We think Sweets is either a GSP mix or the small version of the "real thing". Most "real" GSPs are high energy dogs that need a LOT of exercise. We regularly hike, go on sniffing walks and she is a joy to be off leash with- a true bird dog (and a swimmer). Funny thing though, mostly in the house she is a lump. But, beware, the GSPs that I tend to see are under stimulated and under exercised which can lead to big behavior problems. I know a few folks locally in rescue and here is a good site to find out a bit more.  
http://www.gsprescuepa.com/

Good luck!  
1:17
[Comment From Upset Dog Lover]
Hi Leigh, my mom has a 2 and half year old Brussels Griffon that isn't friendly to anyone except my mom and dad. He barks and growls at other dogs and people. Further, he hides under tables anytime someone is in the house, this includes her 2 childrnn. Is this behavior common for this type of dog, any suggestions on how to modify his behavior to be friendlier to atleast the family who lives with the dog ?
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