Also, have you read/heard about doing white noise combined with desensitization (the desensitization from low-level recordings played when you are there to monitor, do upbeat basic ob work, treat, and be calm)?

The white noise, of course, is used when there is a real storm.

Here is a really good article on storm phobias written by a veterinary behaviorist storm phobia

My 4 y/o Border Collie started displaying storm phobia this spring after a terrific storm with unusally high winds and thunder. He was whining, shaking the bed and trying to crawl underneath me he had never acted like that before. The next day I got a perscription for valium for him through my vet. The first med that most vets perscribe is acepromazine - this is not good for most dogs as it is a tranquilizer but does almost nothing to relieve the dogs mental anxiety. I needed to specifically ask for something besides ace, but other than that it was no issue gettin it. I decided to go the med route right away as I wanted to nip the issue in the bud if possible.

I've given my dog meds at every thunderstorm we've had since then. You can tell he gets quite nervous during them (though not as bad as the one this spring) and it has helped to take the edge off his fear. I go through familiar obedience routines and reward heavily - I've taught him to lay flat on the floor as a default behavior. It comes pretty automatic to him now, so it is a great one to work on during storms. He's not pacing/whining hiding and he is figuring out he can lay still and relax during a storm. I'll also play ball or tug with him in the house as it gives him something to do with his nervous energy besides focusing on the storm.

I would for sure seperate the dogs if the others are starting to pick up the fear.

Niomi: sadly, it seems the closest T-Touch practitioner is about 3 hours away. Looks like I will be self-taught...

Connie: would the window air-conditioner count as white noise? Yesterday I had my dogsitter turn on the TV, air conditioner and a floor fan (none of it fooled the dogs, though).

Mara, I found that article informative and I will keep it as a reference in case it ever comes to that. However, I was hoping to try some drug-free alternatives first, and hoped to hear from people who have helped their dogs with storm phobia. I'm still looking into behavioural therapies. I'm not discounting drugs but hope to have to use them only as a last resort.

There are actual white noise machines, not expensive, with choices of sound.

I think they are sometimes called "sound therapy" machines.

My female GSD storm phobia. Before I got her she jumped through two glass windows to get away. I have tried ace, but by the time I know the storm is coming and give it to her, the storm is over before it takes effect. She goes in her crate, and that works sometimes, and when it doesn't, she goes on the treadmill. It does not solve the problem, she will still be afraid of the next storm, but it gives her something she has to concentrate on other than the thunder. She is usually fine after that. However, I think with her it is more about the pressure drop than amything. Some storms she panics way before the first clap of thunder and stays that way even if there is not alot of thunder. Some storms, have alot of loud thunder, and she sleeps right through it. I have been keeping an eye on what happens on those days that may be different (did she get more exercise than normally?), and I have yet to find a connection. The only thing I can think of is the pressure dropping.

I'm not sure how much help this will be but I read somewhere that you can also turn on a loud action movie to help drown out the noise of the storm. While it wouldn't help if your dog is reacting to the pressure drop, it would help a bit if your dog is reacting to the thunder claps.

 Quote: Angela Burrell

I'm still looking into behavioural therapies. I'm not discounting drugs but hope to have to use them only as a last resort.

Angela,

As far as the drugs; I understand your hesitancy to use them but it sounds like you are not able to disengage her from her focus on the storm which is usually necessary with any behavioral therapies. I too would prefer a more natural appoach but in this case; I think drugs may be your best option to take the edge off so you can work with her. JMO, but if her behavior is starting to spread to the rest of the pack; acting sooner rather than later would be my suggestion.

Or you can go with my crazy suggestion. Have you ever let her get into the bathtub during the storm? I know it sounds crazy but my neighbor's lab exits stage right as soon as the pressure changes and lays in the tub panting until it passes. My boss's dog does the same thing. I've heard the tub grounds them from the electricity in the atmosphere which is the cause of some dogs panic during storms. I'm not sure how true it is but it won't hurt to try......

I have never heard about the bathtub, I will try that next time we have a storm.

I tried using a thunderstorm CD and it got no reaction at all out of her. I agree that it isn't just the sound and flashes, it is also the change in pressure and the electricity in the air.

I tried everything and am now using valium if I have enough time for it to kick in. She truly panics though, to the point of urinating on herself.

For what it's worth:

Casey loves to run. LOVES it. I'll sit on my bike, her on the leash, and let her run, pulling me the mile and half to the local coffee shop (there's a tavern next door, so sometimes we get, um, "diverted" from the coffee shop.) Then she'll pull me home. Great exercise for her, not so much for me, but what can ya do? I swear she's part Siberian Husky.

Anyway, I've taken to letting her run when the thunder and lightning start moving in. Pressure begins to drop, the clouds move in, and I'm putting on a rain jacket and pants and reaching for the leash.

She's starting to get the idea that "Thunderstorm = I get to RUN! And running is FUN!!!"

It ain't set in stone, yet, and we're still working through her fears of thunder, but I do see some positive traits... at the first hint of a storm, she's sitting by the door, looking at me as if to say "Well, you coming or not?"

Rescue Remedy is great but doesn't always work for this level of anxiety. You can get Xanax from your vet, it is the same as what people take for anxiety but dosed for dogs. Also Benadryl is a mild sedative, and Hydroxyzine is similar but stronger, also from vet. Acepromazine is another sedative, too.

I've heard of anxiety wraps working on some dogs, or substituted with a tight t-shirt, but I've not had personal experience with it.

I am a big fan of calming music, I do notice a difference, I have the set from "Through A Dog's Ear" their studies show it's 2x more effective than classical music. I wonder if playing recordings of storms help, or is the dog also feeling the changes in the pressure in the air?

My dog is nervous of storms but I prefer to let him go hide to wherever he feels comfortable rather than crate him, usually he lays in the bathroom.