Thunderstorm phobia is a medical condition that requires your vets attention. Once your dog has been placed on medication by your vet you can begin training. Training will consist of very gradually exposing your dog to sounds (a CD of storms works great) at a very low volumne. Gradually over time you turn up the volume providing your dog does not show any stress. Playing with your dog while the storm recording plays is a great way to help your dog overcome her fear. It is important that you understand that when modifying the behaviors associated with fear and panic the training MUST progress at the dog's pace.

Allow the dog to seek comfort in the bathroom if he wants. Many dogs lie down by the toilet or bathtub, because they are grounded. If the dog has a long coat, consider that the static electricity in the air may be affecting him. Try wiping him down with a non-chemical version of a dryer sheet, or try the Storm Defender anti-static cape.

As far as whether to comfort the dog or not, studies have shown that it doesn't make much difference (although the presence of another dog--I'm assuming a calm one--did make the dog calmer). So if your particular dog seems more relaxed with you sitting there laying a calm hand on him, speaking in loooooong sooooothing sounds (rather than nervously petting and having a worried tone of voice), go for it.

I'm not saying medication shouldn't be used if absolutely necessary, but unless the dog is phobic to the point where he's mutilating himself, trying to jump out the window, etc. (serious phobic behavior rather than "really, really scared"), I'd try other approaches first. (And if you do use medication, please discuss it carefully with your vet. Read up first on how ace promazine, which is commonly prescribed, can cause a dog's body to relax as the mind continues to race--a truly horrific condition for a frightened dog.)

A helpful product you might try is the Thundershirt. This is a fairly new pressure wrap. Pressure wraps work on the same principle as swaddling infants (they have also been used with autistic children). It's comforting, and I have gotten good feedback about this particular easy-to-use, inexpensive product. I used to wrap a t-shirt tightly around my thunder-frightened German Shepherd, and it did stop her trembling.

There is also a music CD called Through a Dog's Ear that is psychoacoustically designed to entrain your dog's heartbeat to 50-70 beats per minute, thus eliciting a relaxation response. From what I've read and heard from many who have used it, the majority of dogs lie down when it's played, and some even go to sleep.

With any of the products, be sure to condition the dog to it at other times BEFORE a storm ever comes in. For example, put the Thundershirt on the dog and feed a meal, then remove it. Or let him wear it as you play a game of ball or whatever else he enjoys. You don't want the product to be associated only with the storm.

Lastly, there is an entire chapter on thunderstorm phobias in my book "Help for Your Fearful Dog" (www.phantompub.com).

Here are some ideas from Dr. Patricia McConnell from her blog 5/8/09

And an article by Dr. Karen Overall