Lightning/thunder anxiety

[jenn D]

For those who have doodles who are fearful of lightning or thunder, how do you help them through it? We just found out Mac is terrified of lightning and thunder and the crazies who are already starting to light fireworks. We haven't had a lot of lightning or thunder storms since we've gotten him at the end of August but we are getting them now and he is petrified. He freaks out in his crate if he see lightning and starts whining and clawing at his crate. We basically just have him go into a lighted room during the storm so the lightning doesn't seem as bad and he seems to do better. But if he's not near a person he paces.
We took him on a walk tonight and kids were lighting off firecracker somewhere in the neighborhood and we had to cut the walk short as Mac was panting started yawning and pulling on the lead.

Worried about his first 4th of July with us, poor guy.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

My previous dog was absolutely out of his mind terrified of thunderstorms. He would tear his way out of the backyard by breaking the wooden boards with his teeth (if I didn't get him inside fast enough)! It was horrible.I used a product called The Anxiety Wrap which is probably similar to the Thundershirt and it really did make a difference for him. He was still nervous and clingy but he wasn't frantic.

[Three Doodle Life]

We have an eight year old schnauzer that is absolutely terrified of thunder and hard rain. She also senses the approaching storms and starts panting, trembling, barking, tries to hide. She's had this problem for the past four years. What works best for her is a Thundershirt. It's basically like a swaddle wrap for dogs. Once I get this on her the stress level goes down by at least 50%. She is still fearful and nervous but it's much more manageable with the shirt on. Once it's on she is able to lie down. It's not a 100% cure but it is a great tool!

[ellyn scher]

Bailey is 10 years old and I have this problem also . I put a loud fan on and that seems to lessen his anxiety a bit . I did hear about the thunder shirt but never tried it .....

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

My Golden Retriever, Chloe was terrified of thunderstorms and fireworks. She would try to get in my lap or underneath me long before I knew there was a storm coming. The vet prescribed alprazolam for her but it did make her very hungry and thirsty. It did help but later in her life we also had a thunder shirt and I preferred not to drug her if I didn't have to. The thunder shirt did work well for those late afternoon thunderstorms we have daily in Florida in the summer. If it was a really bad storm the shirt did not work as well but for the most part worked wonders.
For fireworks, I would take her into my bedroom and stay with her while watching tv with the volume turned up loud.

[DJ & Chance]

I've found that calming music, volume up higher than usual, helps calm Chance.

[Kathy and Sam]

My last dog was very afraid of thunder and she would hide in the corner behind our recliner until the storm passed.  Our vet told us to ignore it and let her hide where she felt safest.  It is so hard to watch and not do any comforting.  With my next dog I would use the thunder shirts mentioned.  Good luck and keep us posted.  (I am getting my puppy later this summer)