Readers Respond: Noise Phobia Experiences and Solutions

Responses: 30

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We tried all of the usual treatments for our Daisy and her terror of thunder. Our vet suggested we try her on Valium. Works like a charm. It takes about 20 minutes for the Valium to kick in and then Daisy is calm during the bad weather. Her stress levels without the valium are so high that she's a danger to herself.
—Guest Loni

My female Papillon lily was never afraid of thunderstorms until lightning hit the foundation of the house. Fortunately no one was hurt, but now she is very afraid of storms. If I know one is coming I will give her children's Benadryl, which my vet recommended.
—juleshawk

When ever there was a storm, I would leave work early, because I knew Sweetie, my 15 year old Golden would be afraid. Usually by the time I got home, she wouldn't be waiting in the hall by the door. You could find her upstairs in the bathtub. This would happen even at night if there was a storm. Sweetie had never been kennel trained.
—Guest SWEETIE

My dog Jessie is 13 and 1/2 years old and has been afraid of thunder since she was a small pup. She begins to act very distressed hours before the storm and becomes more and more distressed as the storm draws nearer. By the first clap of thunder, she is drooling, shaking, and trying to dig her way behind every chair, into every wall, and is inconsolable. I finally began to put her in the basement about a year ago. The basement is well sound proofed and she lays behind a chair and stays there until the storm passes. I have tried stress tablets, Dramamine, and other sedatives prescribed by my vet. None of these seem to help, even if administered long before the storm begins. I am lucky to have a sound proofed room in which she can stay. I wish there was a way to help her overcome this fear. If anyone can suggest a plan that has worked for your dog, I'd be very glad to hear about it.
—Guest OJ Bly

My 3 year old carin terrier whines, pants and shakes all over. She doesn't want us to hold her and comfort her but to find a small, safe place where it is quiet. She gets so worked up that I think she is going to have a heart attack. I try to down play the situation by telling her to go lay down and stop whining, it's just a storm. The fourth of July Holiday is the worse. She will not go outside in the evenings or night. Will medicine help her nerves? Or will she outgrow it eventually?
—Guest Linda

Static electricity seems to be a component of the fear of a thunder storm. I've found that rubbing my dog's fur with a dryer sheet,or spraying static guard on my hands and then rubbing his fur, calms his trembling.
—murrayziggy

My dachshund hates the sound of thunder. He spends a lot of time looking for a place to hide in the house and refuses to go outside during a thunderstorm. He usually settles in under the computer desk or the area underneath our reclined recliners. We try not make a big deal of the thunder or his phobia. We tell him he is a good boy and not to worry. Fortuately, the thunderstorms pass and we can get back to normal.
—no_hassles

When Buddy found us their was a thunderstorm he was so scared. Soto this day when it storms he runs to me puts his head under my arm. I talk softly to him to take his mind off of the storm. A lot of he times it works.
—jdolson41

Our dog started being afraid of thunder storms and lightening about age 8. (She is now 12 years old.) She chewed through every cord of ever piece of machinery (thankfully all unplugged) in our garage. I read and tried several things and for her, it takes a combination of several methods. We leave the light on in the garage where they go in bad weather. We This makes the lightening not seem like such a contrast in the night sky and not so fearsome. We also leave a radio on so that the noise from the thunder is lessened. Last but not least, per our veterinarian's instructions, we give her a prescription tranquilizer. Of course, when we are not home and a storm hits, we find a mess in the garage, a deeply scratched door and a stressed out dog when we arrive home. But we try to listen to the weather and put the 3 methods mentioned above into practice when we leave if the forecast is gloomy. Any other suggestions would be welcome from other readers.
—Guest Pat Thompson

Our dog Jake (minpin) had thunderstorm phobia when we rescued him 12 yrs ago. We provided a covered crate for him and ignored his behavior. He soon grew out of the phobia and doesn't even respond to fireworks any more. He just goes in his warm safe little crate and looks out at us as if to say, "why aren't you in your crate?"
—cooper70

My dog couldn't get close enough to me during a storm. I don't agree that comforting a dog at this time is wrong. I found it calmed her & was a good bonding time.
—Guest Iris Menachem

Over the years I've had several dogs with thunderstorm phobias. I currently have 2 lab mixes (Border Collie X Lab and Aussie Shep X Lab) that panic and shake when they hear (or even sense) thunder. Ever had a 60 lb and a 100 lb dog in your lap at the same time? I stay calm and tolerant and we ride the storm out. Ten years ago I had 2 shepherd mixes that nearly broke through the wall into the house from the garage during a bad thunderstorm while hubby and I were at work. They must have been terrified. I would like to hear about how others handle these phobias, and what the experts say to do.
—Guest Gretchiesmom

Both my dogs have thunderstorm/ fireworks phobias. Luckily, they can be comforted by either me or my husband. I once had a dog that could find no comfort anywhere or with anyone, so I figure I'm ahead of the game!
—Guest Merlinsmom

Our late dog, Teddy, was terrified of storms. We live in the midwest where summer storms are the norm. I didn't even need the weatherman, Teddy would start pacing before we could even hear the first thunder clap. He would incessantly wander throughout the house looking for someplace to hide - behind the couch, in the bathroom, in a closet. He was a big guy, 86 lbs., so finding a place to go was a challenge! He would settle down some when I put him in our bedroom with the radio or tv on rather loudly to mask the thunder. Usually, I just stayed with him to comfort him through the storm. Yes, that meant some sleepless nights, but it tore my heart out knowing that he was so scared and I couldn't comfort him. Teddy lived to be almost 15 years old, and I'm glad now that he is where the thunder and lightening won't scare him anymore.
—sopranogardener

We rescued our poodle at one year old and so we don't know the cause of her phobia other than those mentioned. She tucked her tail and headed for under the bed at the first sign of thunder. I repeatedly got her out from under the bed, calmly reassured her, and let her sit with me. Today she is still slightly fearful (looks around with those big puppy eyes) but sits with me and "chills" until it's all over.
—Guest mhl