fear of thunder

I know this is an old, common topic, but I have tried most of what I
have read to try. My lab is about 3.5yrs old. When it thunders, she
barks nonstop, and growls between the rumbles and shakes the whole
time. I make it a point to pet her and tell her "good girl" when she
does NOT bark, she has a hiding place to go if she is scared (and she
hides there for other things, like when we blow bubbles or eat pop
rock candy lol). It gets to the point where I just lay down and hold
her in my arms to help keep her calm but I just can't keep doing that!
She doens't tear up the place or anything like I've heard some dogs
do, she just barks the whole time and tries to get to a window. If she
is outside when it thunders, she runs towards the sound and jumps at
it (guess she thinks she can catch it?) but in the house she just
heads to a window.
The vet had given me something a couple of years ago that I was
supposed to give the dog at least 30 minutes before a storm starts,
but my psychic abilities just aren't good enough to predict a storm in
time. And I'd rather not drug her, I'd rather teach her not to be
scared of the thunder. This is the biggest problem I've had with her,
and she was a stray so I know I got very lucky with her.
Marie

"Marie" <annadoggoo DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c8e4d3de6pmup3moqh263dvakiv218og6j@4ax.com...
>I know this is an old, common topic, but I have tried most of what I
> have read to try. My lab is about 3.5yrs old. When it thunders, she
> barks nonstop, and growls between the rumbles and shakes the whole
> time. I make it a point to pet her and tell her "good girl" when she
> does NOT bark, she has a hiding place to go if she is scared (and she
> hides there for other things, like when we blow bubbles or eat pop
> rock candy lol). It gets to the point where I just lay down and hold
> her in my arms to help keep her calm but I just can't keep doing that!
> She doens't tear up the place or anything like I've heard some dogs
> do, she just barks the whole time and tries to get to a window. If she
> is outside when it thunders, she runs towards the sound and jumps at
> it (guess she thinks she can catch it?) but in the house she just
> heads to a window.
> The vet had given me something a couple of years ago that I was
> supposed to give the dog at least 30 minutes before a storm starts,
> but my psychic abilities just aren't good enough to predict a storm in


My dog also go bonkers, no barking though. Try to anticipate the storm and
medicate her. It's not the ideal situation but better than having her w/ all
that anxiety. I try to give it one hour before as 30 minutes does not give
her the full benefit of the med. I know, it is a huge problem!
> time. And I'd rather not drug her, I'd rather teach her not to be
> scared of the thunder. This is the biggest problem I've had with her,
> and she was a stray so I know I got very lucky with her.
> Marie