First time in over 50 years I have a dog that is developing a fear of storms and fireworks. He cannot be contained in a crate. Midwest wire are like toys and VariKennel 500`s he just puts his head against the door and pushes against the back and bends the door to get out. He eats drywall and doors.
If I`m home he`s ok but clings to me and pants.
I need a containment idea so if I`m not home he doesn`t hurt himself.
Any ideas? Has anybody used prozac?

I have a thunder storm phobic dog so I have been working with modifications on the VariKennel.

What you need to two pieces of threaded rod, washers and nuts. A piece of thick plexiglass and piece of smooth rod.

This picture shows the use for the rods. Make sure that you drill to the inside of where the stopper is and you have enough room to close the door. You will probably want to shorten the rod more than we did.


This is a picture of the door, this is where you put the heavy Plexiglass is on the inside of the door. Plexiglass was cut to fit inside the frame.


In this picture you will notice that the cheapie locking mechanism is gone.


Note for the smooth rod. This shows that we drilled holes for the bar to slide in. The Zip Tie that is a loop is to open the darn crate, with the Plexglass you can't just grab the bars.


Try to find some type of herbal supplement, Rescue Remedy, Tranquil Tabs or something else to use in conjuction with the jail.

I also have a fan next to the crate to get some air in there plus the fan noise works to drown out some of the thunder.

With the fan I will some times do a nose flooding thing, fan, TV and radio all on.

Even after DeeDee has been stressed out in there she still goes into her crate if I need to put her in there with no problems.

I have no ideas to help you with containment, however I wonder if you have tried to give Melatonin to help ease the stress of the thunder storms.

I use it with Z & it definitely helps. It helped Nadia think clearly so she can enjoy normal activities and training. Right now my cat Pepe is on a low dosage of it to help us both maintain our sanity while he is crated to heal from his recent surgery. And it is a safe product.

I used melatonin for Indy.

This was just discusses on a list I am on. Homoepet has a homeopathic named Stress and Storm (which I've never tried), and there is something called a Thundershirt: http://www.thundershirt.com/ Val reports good results with the product that she uses (I think it's the Tranquil Tabs).

Yep it is the TraquilTabs as long as dumb mom gets them in her before she gets too stressed, it helps. Funny thing is even when she is stressed out, I can give her those and she takes them, but turns down even the best of treats (steak/roast).

Yep..Z won't eat when the loud noise of thunderstorms or fireworks has him stressed out either. I am lucky in that we rarely have T storms.

I looked at the Thundershirts before but have not gotten around to getting one yet. Wonder how well they work?

The Thunder Shirt never worked for us but I'll second the TraquilTabs (I think Val recommended this to us back when.) But yes, you do need to give these before the storm actually gets close enough for the dog to know. That's why I often try to tell Val when we've had a storm over here. It usually seems to hit her house a day or so later.

I think you just have to try things and see what is going to work and what isn't. Melatonin doesn't work for DeeDee neither does Rescue Remedy.

WOW Chey in whining at me to go to bed, I think she got worn out last night also.

Thanks,He can chew the crap out of my vari-kennels(he`s ruined 2) and I`ve tried the shirt and wrap method.
I`ll have to look into the various herbs and meds. It`s crazy because he`s a calm dog in every situation but storms and fireworks.
I`ve tried the tapes to desensitize him also.

He`s 6 1/2 and it just started a couple years ago and seems to be getting worse.
Thanks

I understand. What you might want to look at is one of those heavy metal crates made for escape prone dogs.

DeeDee doesn't chew she just claws and digs, she actually pulls the doors in that is how she gets out.

DeeDee is calm except her noise issues, which is any thing that remotely sounds like thunder or gun shots. So no it isn't strange, this is petty typical for dogs with these issues.

I wish I had some of the knowledge that I have now when DeeDee first started having problems.

The biggest thing with herbals is that every one doesn't work for every dog, you have to some times try a few different things before you hit on what works.

Desensitizing with DeeDee didn't. I tried counter conditioning that didn't work. Body Wraps didn't work either. Some thing some place I think just misfires in her brain and she goes into what I call her Fear Zone. When she gets there the only thing I can do is find a way to keep her from hurting herself and try to give her aids or as many aids as I need to help her through it. The Storm here was Wednesday night, it is just this morning that she is really back to her normal self. Yesterday she was just exhausted and jumpy.

One other thing that helps some is when I crate her is to have a t-shirt that is heavy with my scent in the crate with her, heck in desperation I threw socks in there with her.

Those who have dealt with it or deal with it understand your frustration.

Any idea the brand of those crates?

It`s amazing that of all the GSD`s I`ve had this would be my problem child. PF and now storm phobia. Kicker is Ruger gets my female Nika upset when he freaks out over storms.

Incredibly with his PF issue and now storm phobia he has an incredible confident yet gentle disposition when out in public. Well mannered and well behaved. Go figure.

Let me go do some searching for you. My DH said if she gets out of this he is going to make her one. Well I told him to make it in sections so we could move it without a forklift.

I, too, have one with a fear of t-storms, fireworks, and gun shots. So far he has not broken out of his crate, but one of us usually manages to be around him when it happens, so then he just tries to crawl in our laps.

I have found that if I rub him down with Bounce dryer sheets as soon as it looks like the threat of a storm, it seems to remove some of the static electricity, which, I've heard, is the main element of t-storms. I find that he is not as nervous/hyper/agitated before the storm if I do this, and then I can handle him when the thunder actually happens.

Roger, I realize you can't always be around when t-storms hit, but maybe this will help a little when you are.

Here are a few:
http://www.bestpetcrates.com/48_Heaviest_Heavy_Duty_Dog_Crate_p/hhc-4832.htm

http://www.lbarmranch.com/dc362326.html

Try Amazon: here is the Affiliate link:
http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=gersheho...N002ZQR6MX&
Then Search for: 42" Professional Superior Quality Heavy Duty Dog Pet Cat Crate There is what looks like a nice strong crate for $279, geeze I would have been money ahead if I would have bought this for DeeDee, hum still might.


Not the one I am looking for:
http://www.diamonddeluxe.com/summertime_box.html

Has anybody used this level 3 crate? Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I`m also trying to find a store that stocks the TranQuil Tabs.
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Heavy-Duty-Dog-Pe...=item1c12f44996

I haven't purchased that Level 3 crate, but if I had seen that and known what I was going to be dealing with down the line, I would give it a try. I have spent more money in two VariKennels, replacement doors and assorted hardware.

EntirelyPets is where I purchase the TranquilTabs through, use link below (helps support the board) and Coupon code "FLEABITE6" to get 10% off.

Thank you, R

Ruger's level 3 crate. So far so good.:)

Are you happy with the way it is built? Need a review. I am glad it is "So far so good" for Ruger.

When it arrived some nuts and bolts were missing and I had to do a little tweaking. The company was easy to deal with and offered to make it right. For me it was easy to fix myself and they immediately refunded me way more then the cost on my time and hardware so it was a great deal. I'm very happy with it.

If I every get a Siberian tiger I now have a suitable crate.LOL

Over all....two thumbs up.