We adopted our dog Libby from the shelter when she was about two years old. We have no idea where she came from, or what she lived through for those two years. All we know is she had a lot of issues when we got her, despite how sweet she was. She refused to go up and down stairs, she hated being left alone, and she was absolutely terrified of loud noises like fireworks or thunder. Now, noise phobia is common in a lot of dogs. But with some patience and loving, you can help make them more comfortable (and less freaked out) when storms happen. Check out this post by Dr. Karen Becker at Healthy Pets for tips on helping out noise phobic dogs:
-Do not reward or reinforce anxious behavior- petting and saying “it’s ok,” may be your first instinct, but with a dog, it is a reward and encourages them to repeat the behavior.
-Lead your dog to a quiet, still room, and let them self-soothe or sit with them.
-Put calm pressure on your dog if they allow it- lean against them without petting. If it helps them, there are anxiety and thunder wraps you can buy for them.
-Always bring pets inside before a storm or fireworks display. Dogs regularly run away or seriously injure themselves attempting to escape.