Unfortuately, fear of thunderstorms is one of the most difficult fear-related behaviors to resolve. The two primary components of a successful counterconditioning and desensitization program are preventing exposure to the fear and identifying and independently treating each and every trigger. These are nearly impossible to achieve with the thunderstorm-phobic dog.

For some dogs, the trigger is the sound of thunder and nothing more. These dogs are more treatable, particularly if they live in areas that have long, thunderstorm-free seasons. However, many dogs are reacting to multiple and overlapping triggers - changes in the barometer, winds, rain, static in the air, ionic changes, and perhaps other things our human senses are not aware of. These triggers can be difficult, if not impossible, to control or replicate with any authenticity.

More importantly, fearful dogs often generalize these fears to non-storm-realated events - a low flying jet on a cloudy day, for instance. How do you control exposure to that? Here are some strategies that may help you and your dogs survive this storm season and prepare for the next one.

PROVIDE COMFORT: Pay attention to where your dog goes for comfort during a storm then provide a soft place for her there. Chances are it will be a dark place or a place in the center of the house where the sounds and flashes aren’t as noticable. Many dogs go to a downstairs family room, dark closet, a crate, the bathroom, or the bathtub.

TUNE IN: Invest in a good weather radio so you are always aware of when storms are brewing.

TURN ON: Turn on some soothing music or a TV to mask the noises a bit until the storm is over.

DON’T FENCE ME IN: Don’t close her in a crate or confine her to a small space. Even if she prefers her crate or a small space, don’t lock her in. She may panic and seriously injure herself if she tries to escape.

CUT THE STATIC: Reduce the static. Rub her coat with a fabric softener dryer sheet to decrease the static - a common result of thunderstorms and one that dogs learn to associate with the storms. If your dog loves to ride in the car, try letting her “ride” out the storm with a ride in the car. This not only helps dissapate the static, but you can actually drive her away from the worst of the storm.

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES: Keep windows covered so she can’t see out. Keep her away from windows and keep all doors and outside gates closed so your dog cannot escape. Remember that flight is a common response to fear. Prevent her from getting near glass doors or windows if she is panicky. Some dogs will break through in an attempt to escape from the storm.

Keep two collars on her, including one with her identification riveted to or woven into her collar. If you’re not home during a storm, she may manage to leave your property. A backup collar will help in case she slips one collar or bolts while her rescuer has a collar off trying to read your contact information.

Whatever safe place she chooses, be sure she has access to it when you are not a home.

DON’T CODDLE HER: Simple reassurance can help some dogs, but keep it short and keep it simple. If it isn’t working, stop it. Any attention you pay to her fearful behavior is likely to reinforce her belief that something bad is happening. You don’t need to ignore her - just her fearful behavior. If she comes to you, let her share your company, but don’t constantly stroke her or baby her.

TRY A SAFETY CUE: If her fear is mild, provide a safety cue such as a special chewie, a great stuffed frozen Kong, or a new squeaky toy that will divert her attention. Provide this at the first sign of a storm and remove it as soon as the storm has passed.

DON’T WORRY - BE HAPPY: Act happy. Be happy. She’ll be watching you for clues about how to respond. So keep your own reactions calm and happy. Act as though absolutely nothing unusual is going on. If you are also afraid of storms, you have to hone your acting skills.

USE MEDICINAL SUPPORT: Every exposure to storms intensifies her response and increases the probability that more triggers will be added and that the fears will be generalized to non-storm related events. This makes a behavioral modification program less likely to be effective. Medication can help keep the problem from worsening or slow its progress. Even if the results aren’t evident to you, it’s worth it if it reduces the amount of panic your dog is experiencing. Consult your veterinatian or health care pratitioner to determine the right medication for your dog. Before you give it to her and leave her on her own, try it first. Give it when you can be home during a storm, or play a storm CD to see how she responds to the medication.

FULL OF SOUND AND FURY: While these things will not fix a thunderphobic dog, they may help make the storm season more bearable and perhaps keep her fears from worsening. Help prepare for a behavior modification program by limiting your dog’s stress during the current storm season. With the help of a qualified behaviorist, begin to work on a carefully prepared behavioral program well in advance of the next storm season. Terry Ryan has an excellent series of CD’s called “Sound Sensibilities”> for this purpose. You can order the thunderstorm CD from www.dogwise.com.

Copyright 1996-2004 Lee Livingood. All rights reserved. Materials may not be
copied, reproduced, distributed, shared, or otherwise used without the
express written consent of the author or copyright holder.

Lee is a companion dog trainer and a behavioral counselor who specializes in adult rescued dogs. Lee’s second book, Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies, won the 2001 DWAA Maxwell Award as Single best Breed Book. Her dog training webpage is www.clevercompanions.com. She also has a greyhound site, www.RetiredRacingGreyhounds.com.