Nerve Issues or not? - Page 1

Sorry for the double post, but I forgot to fill in topic line.

Thought this would make a good topic to share opinions.
If a dog is scared to death of thunder, but shows no reaction or fear at all to gunfire, fireworks, loud booms, or any other sudden loud noises, would that dog still be considered unsound or having nerve issues? 

I get real squeemish about snakes.  I can hold'em if I prep myself, but don't enjoy it on any level.  Spiders dont bug me a bit.  Galfriend of mine's totally the opposite, jumps out of her skin about spiders, not too bothered by snakes.  Context is a factor.  As is preperation or recovery time.  Throw a snake in my lap, and I'll scream like a little girl.  But I can walk up to a rattler and cut it's head off with a shovel.

its the static electricity in his coat, Take bounce fabric softner sheets and rub the static out of the coat.

May sound Weird, but i know a guy who had a dog that would detect a storm before we new it was coming, he would get weird and head to the garage, No Bs, he did this and it helped out alot.

 I am talking about a bitch we got right before Christmas.  We had no idea of her upbringing as a puppy. all we can go by is her actions/reactions since we got her.  She is a fearless, full of drive, and will hit a sleeve without hesitation.  However, let thunder crack and she will run for the house.  Since we do not work our dogs in severe weather, I do not know what she would do.  With that said, after watching her and reading her reactions in different situations, I feel as tho this is not a nerve issue, but more like a bad experience issue. This girl has had a couple of litters, which none of the puppies as of this time have shown any nerve issues.
  
Vonissk, I would not consider that a nerve issue. JMO

I feel as tho, just as people have certain issues with certain things, that doesn't mean they are nerve bags.  But I am really interested to see how others feel about this.  

Your girl was with her previous owners long enough
for her to be bred twice ?  Do you know none of the
pups has been frightened by storms or other bangs,
or did the last owner tell you that as far as they knew
there had not been any issues ?

I am a believer in dogs being scared of thunderstorms
but nothing else, because they have lived with a human
who is scared of thunder.  Static electricity sits in the
coats of most dogs, ergo most dogs should be scared
of thunder, but they aren't.  Even if it is well hidden, an
owner whose heart lurches when they hear thunder can
have that detected by their dog, and particularly younger
dogs who are still learning can react in a sympathetic
manner.

First, I would say that "hitting a sleeve with out hesitation" is not always a sign of a sound dog.  I think that you may be taking behaviors done in drive as an overall sign of the dog's temperament. Fearless in some situations and fear of thunderstorms do not make a dog fearless.  You need to be very careful to not confuse behaviors when a dog is in drive and when the dog is out of drive.  Dogs often act completely differently when in drive.   Although, I don't think this dog is a "nerve bag."  I rarely use that term when describing dogs, but there are times when it is applicable.  I can provide you with a few examples; I am currently working a two year old female Malinois in SchH.  When the dog first came out she was insecure and very skittish.  However, after two sessions she is hitting like a speeding bullet.  A nervous dog that is so full of drive when channeled she actually does very nice bite work.  The dog still has issues and always will deep down but confidence building and a positive outlet for her endless energy really helps. 

My first GSD was a very solid dog and had no environmental issues and was completely sound and confident around people.  At 3 or 4 years old she started having issues with thunderstorms and would run and hide in the tub.  I raised the dog from a pup and I am not afraid of thunder and lightning.  I have no idea why or how this started.  I simply worked on conditioning her to the sounds to alleviate her anxiety. Problems like this can arise and the cause may never be known, it doesn't mean that you can't help the dog overcome the issue.  I have first hand experience with two very strong, very confident, excellent Police K-9's that had some really bad experiences with gunfire.  The dogs were completely sound before and we worked on the issue and are completely reliable once again.  Gunfire is no longer an issue and the dogs are very solid.  Their experience was environmental and they were put into situations that caused the issue, it was not genetic. 

Since you have limited history on this dog you may never know what the initial cause of the problem was.  I would say the cause of the problem really doesn't even matter; what is important is finding a way for the dog to overcome this phobia. These things can morph into other phobias and other undesirable behaviors.  I would work on conditioning the dog to the thunder storms and relieving her anxiety. 

A dog with a phobia like this or similarly a dog that hides under a bed during a storm should not be bred, IMHO.  You have the old adage of "Nature vs Nurture."  Regardless of whether this problem is genetic or learned it will be passed to the pups, either through Nature or Nurture.  Although, I don't think this is a big deal and I don't think the dog is a "nerve bag."  I do think you will signs of insecurity show up in other areas of your daily life.  I would suggest trying to find ways to get the dog over this fear of thunderstorms before it gets worse.  It rarely gets better left on it's own. 
 

Probably not a nerve issue caused by genetics .. all humans and all dogs are scared of something and in most cases it is learned!!  As far as not being bred or used for breeding  .. that is crap!!  There is no way to know if it is environmental or genetic.  If the dog has sound nerves and a level head in all other things then that is a pretty darn good dog mentally.  Show me any human who has had a very close by lightning strike or has been struck by lightning and lived to tell about it that isn't nervous around lightning and heavy thunder.  If the dog has a problem with thunder that is wrecking your or the dog's life then you can work to desensitize perhaps somewhat but otherwise leave the dog alone when it thunders or calm her down as best you can.  A good protection dog or police dog has to be able to withstand incoming and outgoing gunfire close by but I can tell the difference between small arms gunfire and thunder or lightning .. therefore I expect dogs can as well.