Our Black Lab, who is almost 11 years old, has always been terrified of thunder. She hides in the bathtub during bad storms.
Hey PH. Glad to hear Oz has settled down a bit. Although I’m hesitant about the use of meds, there is no doubt that some situations are significant enough to merit them. Glad everything has worked out.
Same with our lab which is weird because she is field trained and has been around a lot of shotguns.
I don’t thimk labs should be instinctively afraid of fireworks. I have had two labs that absolutely had no fear whatsoever of gunfire. In fact, when I got out my shotgun they were so happy they couldn’t stand it. One of the labs I had instinctively knew how to find birds, point, and retrieve–without one minute of training. The only time they got upset was when I shot at a bird and missed. Then I got a look like–“You big dummy, I found the stupid bird for you and you missed it!”
I agree, it is not a lab thing. We have two of them. Scout could care less about thunder, fireworks, gunshots, etc. Oz used to freak out, massive shaking, sratching the door, eating trim trying to get out of the house and into the garage.
Additionally Scout is all about chasing a ball and playing fetch. Oz could care less about chasing or fetching a ball, all he wants to do is hang out and lay in the grass. They are opposites in every way.
I absolutely agree, meds were a last resort but in this case I can honestly say that Oz’s quality of life is much better.
PH, how about another update. I think I need to get our lab on some med’s. She is driving us crazy.
Tim,
Oz has been on prozac and melatonin for about three months now, and we have experienced fireworks and a couple of thunderstorms. Suffice it to say the fireworks barely phaze him, the thunderstorms (if severe) still bother him somewhat. Not to the level where he would destroy the door frame again but he is noticably anxious. If the thunder storms are less severe he barely notices them. I think that he has literally “mellowed-out” a bit. He is still himself and has the same quirks that we find endearing but he is more relaxed. The drugs (prozac and melatonin) have definitely improved the quality of his life, as well as ours.
Let me know what you end up doing, and good luck.
Pete
We’ll give it a try. She is fine if she is in the house, but you have to drag her outside and then she goes bonkers. If she doesn’t handle being medicated, I’m not sure what I am going to do. Anyone want a slightly neurotic 8 year old Lab?