Signs and Signals
Thunderstorm anxiety (and fear of fireworks) is fairly common in rescue dogs. Many GRRMF alumni are former backyard dogs – left outside to fend for themselves in all kinds of weather. Others were found as strays after, you guessed it, a particularly bad summer storm. Some were turned in by owners who gave up after trying to manage the dog’s worsening behavior problems.

My first golden, Maggie Mae, used to hide in the bathtub or a closet during storms. Dark rooms and tight-fitting spaces seemed to comfort her. Other signs of mild anxiety could include panting, pacing, drooling, dilated pupils or trembling.

More bothersome signs include urinating or defecating, expressing anal glands, excessive barking or chewing. When anxiety is at its worst, the dog may go berserk trying to escape, clawing at doors or crates, jumping through windows, even digging through walls. I’ve heard stories of dogs breaking off teeth and claws during a storm “attack.” I’ve heard of terrible consequences when a dog “busts out” and is cut by broken glass or hit by a car. I’ve spoken with caring and loving owners who ran out of options and had to make the heartbreaking decision to put the dog down.

What You Can Do
A good place to start is to assess your own attitude and behavior -- if you are nervous during storms, your dog will most certainly pick up clues from your behavior.

Second, and also very important: DO NOT try to comfort the dog. As much as you may feel the need to do so, petting or soothing your dog for being anxious is positive reinforcement of an undesirable behavior. And don’t even THINK about punishing a dog for being frightened – unless you want to ADD to that fear and anxiety.

If you are home during a storm, the best thing to do is make it a “non-event.” Project a calm and “in-charge” attitude, and keep your voice upbeat. Ignore the storm while going about your normal routine. Pick up a toy and engage in a bit of playtime with your golden. Get out the treats. Turn on the TV or stereo to drown out the noise. Or try adding some “white noise” such as a fan. Closing blinds or curtains may help, as well as turning on some lights. If your home has an interior room without windows, your dog may be more comfortable there during a storm.

Like my Maggie Mae, some pets seek out small spaces such as a crate or a bathroom. If you use a crate, cover it with a blanket to add to the feeling of security. If your dog prefers the bathroom, run the fan and leave the lights on.

Medicines and Supplements
In severe cases, your veterinarian may suggest anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium or Clomicalm. However, before making your decision, be sure to discuss the issue fully – including how long the dog will have to be on the medication, long-term side affects and other considerations.

Our experienced rescue volunteers and long-time dog owners have had luck with holistic products such as Rescue Remedy, available at health food stores or through the Internet. Just a few drops administered between the gums and lip can help alleviate a mild case of anxiety with no side effects. The down side is that it lasts only a couple of hours, at most, so you have to be home before the storm starts.

Another herbal remedy is melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone in our bodies that helps us sleep. Melatonin is available at any drug store and should be given prior to the storm or other fear-producing event. One to two 3 mg tablets is the usual dosage, and it should last all day/night. Be sure to check ingredients – some brands are mixed with additives that are not safe for your dog.

Some GRRMF members use aconite, available from health food stores. Give a dropper full every couple of hours whenever a storm is coming. There also are other remedies available from pet suppliers that contain herbal mixtures such as kava kava or black cohosh.

Behavior Modification
Thunderstorm anxiety is a complex problem, so it is only logical that treatments can be complex. Following are two behavior modification techniques that can be used to help change the dog’s response to storms or fireworks. They often are used in conjunction with drug therapy or supplements:

• Counter-conditioning – This approach involves associating something positive with thunderstorms. Just prior to and during a thunderstorm, bring out your dog’s favorite toy, and engage him in a healthy game. Play and fear are incompatible emotions – a dog cannot be fearful and playful at the same time. Offer his favorite treats as rewards during the play session. After a time, the dog will start associating an oncoming storm with something he loves.
• Desensitization – The goal is to decrease the dog’s response to the fear-producing stimulus. This method involves playing a tape or CD of a storm at low volume while engaging the dog in play or obedience activities. The volume of the tape is gradually increased for each session. This program should take place during a time of the year when actual storms will not be encountered.

Some Really Different Alternatives …
Recently, I’ve read about people applying anti-static spray to their dogs’ feet. There is a theory that during storm activity, the dog is being repeatedly shocked by static electrical charges in the air. Behind toilets, in bathtubs – all are linked to water, negative ions and the grounding effects of metal pipes. In his book “The Dog Who Loved Too Much,” veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman suggests that “during storms, affected dogs turn into canine divining rods, seeking out water in any of the locations it is normally found in the house. … A sink, for example, is normally supplied by metal pipes and, therefore, acts as an electrical grounding device. A dog coming into contact with metallic sink fixtures, including the pipe, would ground itself to the earth, releasing any static electrical charge.”

Another alternative remedy gaining popularity is something called an “anxiety wrap” (www.anxietywrap.com). It’s a specially made cloth that fits snugly so the dog feels more secure. Or, you could also try a small shirt – something that is snug but not binding. Before you balk at the idea, consider “swaddling,” the centuries-old method of wrapping a baby snuggly in a blanket to calm it down.

While we haven’t yet answered the question as to whether the sky really is falling, we have covered a full gamut of possible solutions. If you’re one of the lucky ones, your dog is well-adjusted and could care less about a silly, little thunderstorm, or the boom of fireworks. But sooner or later, you may end up sharing your life with “Chicken Little” in a dog costume. If and when you do, I encourage you to speak to your veterinarian about it, and also consult a professional experienced in pet behavioral issues.

GRRMF does not accept responsibility for suggestions made in this article. It is up to individual dog owners to check with their veterinarians to determine what is best for their dogs.