German Shorthaired Pointer Forum:
Scared GSP

I adopted my GSP 4 years ago from a rescue. She is now 5 years old. We recently moved and found out that she is deathly afraid of thunder. We unfortunately have moved to a region that has thunderstorms and rain almost every afternoon. I got home yesterday and found that she had torn down a wall in my home trying to get out because of a thunderstorm. I was hoping someone might be able to help me with some suggestions on how I can either make her feel safe during these afternoon storms or correct the behavior. She is a well behved dog and has never had any big problems until now.

Are you sure the dog is afraid of thunder?? Would'nt you have known this by now(after owning the dog for 4 years)? I would bet this is more likely to be separation anxiety,caused by your recent move. Unfamiliar surroundings can bring it out. What is the difference in the dogs routine/surroundings since the move? On the good side IF it is gun(thunder in your case) shyness and it thunders everyday there,you can use the thunder to your advantage by re-conditioning it to accept it and like it. You need to replace the negative feelings (associated with the thunder) with positive ones. Also is the dog kenneled/crated? I would think not if it tore out a wall.Maybe the dog just needs its own haven (crate/den), and it will stop the negative association with the noise.

I agree to what the other person said. That is most liking seperation anxiety. I have had a dog with serpertaion anxiety, and that can easily be it.