Our youngest, who had been bomb-proof up until her first thunderstorm last week, FREAKED when the first clap hit.

She woke us up doing her "Timmy's in the well!" routine, trying to convince us that if we had a shred of common sense we'd be diving for cover under the bed - and she was more than happy to lead the way.

Thankfully, she made enough of a ruckus to wake us up, rather than simply suffering under the bed (I shudder to think what could have developed).  We were able to pull her up onto the bed, break out some Natural Balance Duck and Potato Roll and pair the thunder sound with food.  BOOM!!-food!  BOOM!!-food!  The calmer she was, the more food she got.  When she finally laid down calmly with the thunder clapping away, she got tons of treats, lots of cuddles, and then we went outside with a can of food and some toys.  Felt a little silly in the rain at 3:30 in the morning on the front lawn, holding an umbrella over the dog so she could eat canned food off a spoon while the thunder boomed overhead... but I suspect the next thunderstorm she'll wake us up for her treats.

We approach it much the same way we desensitize dogs to the nail grinder.  What led to her being "bomb-proof" was her Dremmel training.  I sat down when she was about 10 weeks old to grind my rottX's black nails, and the pup was spooked by the noise.  We immediately started pairing the sound with the treat, and in a few days the mere sound of the Dremmel brought her running, offering her feet to be filed.  It's great, but now my DH has to take the pup for a walk when I file anyone else's nails, or she tries to butt in and get her nails done too.  I keep joking I have to figure out how to pair "come" with the Dremmel sound... ;O)

These days when she's faced with a new scary noise she looks at me for reassurance.  I say "just a noise!" and give her a pat or a cookie, and then we go to investigate whatever it is.  The thunder threw her for a bit of a loop though.  Can't say what it was (the bass, the shaking of the house, the wind/rain/thunder combo, the electricity, etc) but she learned quickly it was not something to be feared.  By the end of the storm she was straining to hear each distant sound and then whipping around to get her spoonful of treat.

Kim May 20th, 2009 01:31:30 PM

While Mox doesn't get go full on freaked out by storms, he definitely doesn't like them.  At the first rumble, he just heads down to the basement and either hangs out with my brother on his bed, or goes in the laundry room and tucks himself in the storage area between the suitcases and takes a nap.  I've decided not to dissuade him from this, as he feels safe there and isn't shaking or flipping out - he's doing no harm to himself, so I am OK with it.  (However, my brother has encountered some back problems of his own as he tries to contort himself around the dog when he's on the bed.)

When we take him to the beach, he just goes under one of the beds or in the closet, and naps.  (And then wakes up an hour later with this look on his face of, "Wait, why did I come in here again?")

Cindy May 20th, 2009 01:47:40 PM

My vet thinks my 12-yr-old Saedy has had a stroke.  She gets agitated and confused when she's excited.  Until just over a month ago, she never had any problem with storms; now she wants to be cuddled and reassured when it's storming.  Since she's a 60 lb dog, it's a little interesting to have her insist on getting in my lap, or joining me when I'm lying on the couch.

I think with Saedy's new issues, desensitization won't work.  The vet is convinced her confusion is a cognitive issue, and the storm fear seems to be linked to the confusion.  Poor sweet girl.  This list may come in handy for trying to help her when she gets excited and therefore confused.

My cocker suddenly developed a problem with bright lights and loud noises when he was 5.  Storms bother him, but also noises like the smoke alarm and even some of the music in Kurosawa movies.  How could I desensitize him to something that sends him into a panic attack?  Desensitization with my horses involves introducing them to something new, while demsontrating that it will not hurt them.  But none of this has *ever* hurt him; it just scares him. 

He already gets positive stimulus during storms: he sits and shakes unless we hold him and pet him.  How would holding him and petting him, while playing storm noises, differ from that?

Galadriel May 20th, 2009 01:52:58 PM

Behaviorist/trainer Patricia McConnell has a couple of AWESOME posts up about this.  She is absolutely NOT an advocate of the "if you comfort your dog, you reward his fear".  She's an advocate of "if your dog is afraid, HELP it".

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/   You'll need to scroll down to the 2 blogs.

EmilyS May 20th, 2009 02:44:25 PM

Slightly off topic because it has to do with our cat.  I don't know if this has to do with living close to the mountains or what but a few hours before a big storm rolls in, our cat goes absolutely haywire.  She's not destructive, it's like kitten crazies x 10.  I'm sure it has to do with electro magnatisim in the air, just weird that when we lived in Wisconsin she had no problems with storms and now she reacts consistently to every storm.  We have young children so if she gets to the point of jumping at the babies and/or trampling them, I'll probably try the crate + foil/blanket tip and see if that helps.

Meri May 20th, 2009 03:07:49 PM

Just throwing this out there because I knew some vets considered this appropriate treatment for firework or thunderstorm phobia:

Acepromazine is a muscle relaxant, not a sedative or anti-anxiety drug. If your vet prescribes it for thunderstorm phobia, your dog is still in just as much fear and having just as many anxiety reactions as they would otherwise... they just can't move. And really, how would you feel if that was you?

Karl Katzke May 20th, 2009 03:38:41 PM

It's sad that the people making Storm Defender say, "Do not give excessive attention to fearful behavior. Attention rewards the unwanted behavior." right on their site.  If they have such a new and improved product, they should keep up with the latest info in the behavior/training realm. 

Is the lavender oil a spray that you use in the room the dog is in?  All of my dogs are pretty bomb-proof, but I like the smell of lavender, and if, in the future, I get a dog with thunder/fireworks issues, I'll gladly try it.

Dr. K., have you - or anyone here - had actual reportable results with ProQuiet?  I'd like to bring it up with the vet I work for, but he would need some kind of evidence (I know nothing works 100% on all dogs) other than "Hey, I heard of this stuff..."  He is not impressed with Rescue Remedy (of course, only a few of our 'flaky' - not my term - clients even try it, so he has nothing to go by with that, either.)

I'm guessing the foil and blanket thing only works on metal crates?  Is a metal bottom, covered with blankets, keep the static charges up in the foil, or do they transfer to the crate or bottom?  Does it work the same with plastic, or plastic-coated wire crates, and does the crate need a special grounding surface?

KateH May 20th, 2009 03:39:43 PM

I created a bunker for my girl with a thunder phobia. It seems to really help her.  It's in the crawl space in the basement, under the stair landing.  The room is the most interior in the house, with no external walls. I put her favorite bed down and lined the sides with pillows for sound insulation, although I am not certain it's the sound that bothers them.  

Natalie Kramer May 20th, 2009 03:54:38 PM

My old guy is now a thunder phobic dog blessed with hearing impairment ;)  I adopted him as an adult and had never had a dog with thunderstorm anxiety before- it took me by complete surprise when we experienced our first storm together!  It was a doozy and he darn near jumped out the big glass window.   Thank god I live in an area where we don't have too many storms.  I found that if I could sense one coming before him I could distract him with a rawhide or stuffed kong and some music on the stereo.  If he got wound up though there was no bringing him back to reality, and for fear for his safety I would give him drugs.  Ace did nothing.  My other dog was on Amitriptyline (sp?) to help control his behaviour (and his Addisons) so one time I tried that on Jake- what a difference!  Amitrip is an anti-anxiety used commonly as a sleep aid in humans.  Jake is usually asleep about 1/2 an hour after taking one, not at all groggy, just relaxed!  Now because of hearing loss he doesn't get nearly as worked up- but sometimes (maybe when the baraometric pressure drops?) he still has anxiety.

Meghan RAHT May 20th, 2009 04:34:14 PM

Braometric pressure, electromagnetic radiation, sound...they all conspire against them. Who knows which is worst? Some dogs dont react to loud sounds like fireworks but do to thunder. These dogs more than likely are sensitized more to the radiation and pressure changes than to the sound, but who really knows?

Dr. Patty Khuly May 20th, 2009 05:04:19 PM

Timely post.... my dog has always been afraid of fireworks (she'll go under the bed or couch when there's a fesitval outside), but never of thunderstorms. This year, we had a winter thurnderstorm during a snowstorm in February and she got fairly aggitated, shaking and generally freaking out/tense. She would absolutely not eat anything, as we tried to give her treats with the thunder and lighting to no avail. Well, last weekend we had a storm and she was in full-on meltdown. It was truly heartbreaking and we felt helpless. She  poop'd herself, she was rigid with fear, shaking and trembling... she would not eat a thing (and this dog will eat anything at anytime). She was completely inconsolable, we could only hold her through the shaking and try to stay calm ourselves. I've never seen her like that under any circumstances and can only assume, after 3 years, she is seriously storm-phobic.

I made an appointment with the Vet tomorrow to discuss a sedative to see if we can couple that with some intensive counter-condiitoning for the next storm. It's a new Vet, as my Vet has moved on and started his own practice too far away (!), so I'm concerned about the options I have. Thanks for the post, and thanks for the heads-up on Acepromazine Karl.

CreatureofHabit May 20th, 2009 06:51:41 PM

One more trick: two of my friends swear by the shower stahl. Just leave the door to the bathroom open, and the sliding door to the shower stahl, if any. Some dogs seek out shower stahls and bath tubs to weather out the storms.  I imagine they would appreciate a soft doggy bed on the stahl floor.

Natalie Kramer May 20th, 2009 07:46:05 PM

I had a shower dog. She'd jump in and tremble. That was before I knew anything about storm phobia (high school). I would get in and cuddle her. If it went on for hours she'd have a big blankie there. So sad she had to suffer like that.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 20th, 2009 08:15:52 PM

Think I would forgo hanging out in the tub, or shower.. There is potential for electrical conductivity with the pipes.. I'm sure nobody wants to fry the dog..

Since we're in NY we don't get many thunder storms, but we had a short one, and Socks reacted to it.. He ran under the bed. Realizing he was alone,  came out to be comforted.. I'm sure he will be worse next time..

 Won't do fireworks again.. He stood there shaking, and wouldn't stop after being picked up.. I felt worse than he did.. I subjected him to it..

I love the idea of positive training with the rewards.. We started doing pos. reinforcement when going to the vet.. more out of necessity, as we go on fri, and I don't have time for lunch.. but my guy is only too happy to do lunch.. after..

Barri & Socrates May 20th, 2009 08:51:20 PM

Kim's story of training her dog to like thunderstorms made me laugh, because that's what my mother did with my sister and me!  She says she'd watched some of her friends basically train their kids to be afraid of storms - they were certain that of COURSE storms would terrify their young children, so as soon as one started there they were, rushing into the kids' rooms to hug and pat them and insist "It's okay, it's okay, don't be scared, mummy/daddy's here!"  The parents were acting like there was something to be scared OF, so the kids ended up terrified.

Mum used the right sort of positive reinforcement on us, though.  :)  When we were small, whenever there was a good loud storm she'd go get us - out of bed if necessary! - and we'd all sit in the window seat, wrapped in blankets, drinking hot chocolate and cheering the flashes and booms as the storm rolled in from the sea.  Some of my best childhood memories involve that window and a good storm, and when we got hit by a full-fledged typhoon I was four years old and FINE.  I guess I know what to do if I ever end up with a storm-phobic pet!

Mel Redcap May 20th, 2009 09:14:56 PM

Dr. K, 

Our blowved Ingrid, a wonderul black Lab mix, was terrified of tunderstorms--or any loud noise, frankly. We always suspected it was a result of her previous "home." She would cower as close to us as possible. We would scold lightly, saying, "Ingrid, go lay down." This occasionallly worked and, mostly, we just tried to comfort her.

Our present Lab, Henry, will sleep through anything. We got him at 12 weeks, so he really learned everything he knows from us and he is not afraid. My husband has even taken him to the shooting range and he is fine with gun fire. However, nothing really loud.

I always felt empathy for our dear Ingrid, but felt that she needed to be "toughened up" a bit so never coddled her when she freaked out during a storm. But I knew my pet, I could do that. That is the key: knowing your pet's behavor, fears, and pleasures. They are ours and we commit to taking care of them, fears of thunder and all.

Your blog is great and I read ever entry. Keep up te good work. 

A

Allison May 20th, 2009 09:52:34 PM

I have a couple posts that might be useful with links to some of the noise phobia/thunderstorm phobia products here Pet Noise Phobia and Pet Thunder Phobia.

Just to clarify one of the comments--you can accidentally reinforce the phobic behavior that comes with noise phobia. What McConnel was referring to was the emotion and wrote more to clarify the point.

I've worked with enough noise phobic cases to know that many pet owners can escalate the situation or reduce the reactions through redirection instead of physical comfort--it is a fine line--at any rate I always encourage professional help for this issue.

Ark Lady May 20th, 2009 10:29:17 PM

Ah...thunderstorms.  My Zoe is one of those who goes absolutely bonkers...chewing through doors, chewing at drywall, hurting herself in the process.  Has had a toe amputated after a nail broken off at the bed (during a storm, of course, when I wasn't home) failed to heal and the toe became infected.  Tried alprazolam and behavior modification - she doesn't respond to recreated storm sounds, so practically impossible to desensitize her outside of an actual episode...and during episodes she's so frantic that she won't respond to me (or food...or toys).  Did resort to ace-ing her out of her gourd to keep her from hurting herself...eventually stopped working as effectively (am fully aware of the side effects and limitations of acepromazine, but was willing to undertake them to keep my sanity).  Then the funniest thing happened...was out in the yard with her when a storm rolled in, and since I was still in the yard with her, she went into her doghouse (with my other dog, who doesn't care for storms but can manage) so she wouldn't get wet.  Out of curiousity, I ran back into the house for an umbrella and then stayed in the yard for approx. 10 minutes with her as it stormed - she eventually went behind the wind wall.  I slowly inched my way out of her line of sight, and then went back into the house.  And then, miracle of miracles...she stayed there...for the entire storm!  Not a peep.  And looked no worse for wear when it was over - came trotting happily out of the doghouse and fell asleep in my utility room.  Craziest thing.  And this has been done successfully for at least a dozen storms since (April and May are definitely storm/tornado season in OK). 

anna May 20th, 2009 11:48:38 PM

Shower/tub dogs at my house.  I grew up in tornado alley and that's where we head during a tornado if we don't have a cellar and the dogs join me (with cats in crates in the room or stacked at one end of the tub, it can get crowded :).  As they get older, that is a safety zone just like a kennel unless I say "bath" and they'll head there if they're spooked.

Since most homes have their electrical systems grounded to their plumbing and few have lightning rods these days, it is important not to touch metal plumbing fixtures (like a tub spout) during a lightning storm.  If it concerns you but you still want to use the tub/shower, rig out a rubber cover for the fixtures that can be taped to the tub for the duration of the storm.  Of course, there are other and better ways to ground the electrical system too.  BTW, have you checked your electrical system's surge protector lately?  Do you even have one?  I love my point of entrance surge protectors and check the regularly.http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infsurgeprotect.html

PJBoosinger May 21st, 2009 01:36:47 AM

Xanax was a wonderdrug for my old thunderphobic dog, may he rest in peace.

I have a Border Collie pup now, a well-known breed for thunder and noise phobia. When the storms roll in, we play ball (in the house). Ball is his favorite thing in the whole world, so I'm trying hard to make storms positive for him. So far he doesn't seem to care. We had one really loud crack of thunder the last storm and his tail came up and he stood up all alert (it startled me too, so I can't blame him!) but we just went right back to playing ball and it was effectively no big deal.

Katie May 21st, 2009 02:34:56 PM

Some thunder-phobic dogs are more comfortable in an automobile during storms.  I have had dogs that did better in a crate in the back of the car during a storm than anyplace else.

Mary May 22nd, 2009 10:25:15 PM

My lab X came into the rescue org. heartworm pos. with whipworms. I agreed to "foster" her thru the treatment.. Of course, by the time she was well enough to be adopted, I couldn't part with her !  It was thought that she was an older dog because of the condition of her teeth, but I've since concluded that it was caused by her chewing on fencing to escape. I tried the "noise" cure..taping the 4th of July 

concerts a few years ago, not too successful...but Ultra-Calm biscuits.(valerian and camomile) do take the edge off the anxiety, if given soon enough. We are in W. Central FL..and she begins quivering if it is thundering in Savannah OR  Havana !

kay

kay May 25th, 2009 05:01:25 PM

Is this possible? My GSD is skittish and an absolute nervous nelly during storms. Pacing from window to door and barking at everything. Her storm issues do not sound as severe as some have described here, but they certainly generate a significant level of stress in her. The storms that just passed through were pretty strong, with high winds and ground, window and house-shaking thunder and lightening. Some of the lightening strikes sounded (and felt) like nearby explosions. She's wearing the Storm Defender cape for the first time. She's asleep. on the dining room floor. on her side. She barely lifted her head on one particularly percussive strike. ..and that was it. No barking or growling or whining. No pacing. I can't believe this product could to be that effective and on the first try. I keep thinking this has to be some unlikely coincidence. ...but have never seen her sleep through a storm. ...I guess we shall see if this behavior repeats itself. Huh.

Kris June 1st, 2009 09:03:42 PM

A whole post about Thunder phobia and not one mention of MELATONIN?  It works wonders, is a natural chemical found in all living things, is cheap, you can't overdose, and it WORKS.  Did I mention it WORKS?

Skip the aroma therapy and the hard hitting drugs and try melatonin first. It's not a sedative, it doesn't alter their behavior, and it took my border collie who chewed through a door during the 4th of July and made him totally calm and unconcerned during the 4th, New Years, and thunderstorms after I found melatonin.

I am not a drug taker by any means and don't care for bogus "natural" cures that never deliver. I even doubt the efficacy of vitamins, but the one thing I have in my cabinet for my dogs is melatonin. The liquid form works wonders quickly, the pill form if you give it about an hour before the strom / fireworks, and that's it. Use it about 4 times a year and I even think that the dogs are better even when I forget to give it to them since they've lived through a few storms and are now desensitized passively. 

I think the behavior modification is a total waste of time as you're not going to be able to REALLY recreate the stimulus unless you have the world's most amazing subwolfer and a pro sound system. And even then, are you really going to take it outside and shake your windows and bound on your roof? 

Christopher July 2nd, 2009 09:59:53 PM

My Border Collie Jimmy has a simple way to defeat thunderstorm phobia, he scratches at the garage door, I let him in and he jumps in my Lexus, I close the windows and doors, pop a fan in there for him, which makes wind fan noise,  and he calms down, feels all safe and protected in there. Lexus is famous for its low cabin noise, so Jimmy can barely hear the thunder in there with th fan running! Try it!

Nick July 7th, 2009 12:22:24 PM