What can I do for my black lab that is afraid of thunderstorms?

Question

Any suggestions he is getting worse with each storm.

Answer 1

Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Thunder and Other Startling Noises
It’s not uncommon for dogs to be frightened of thunder, firecrackers or other loud sounds. These types of fears may develop even though your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. Many fear-related problems can be successfully resolved. However, if left untreated, your dog's fearful behavior will probably get worse.
The most common behavior problems associated with fear of loud noises are destruction and escaping. When your dog becomes frightened, she tries to reduce her fear. She may try to escape to a place where the sounds of thunder or firecrackers are less intense. If, by leaving the yard or going into a certain room or area of the house, she feels less afraid, then the escape or destructive behavior is reinforced because it successfully lessens her fear. For some dogs, just the activity or physical exertion associated with one of these behaviors may be an outlet for their anxiety. Unfortunately, escape and/or destructive behavior can be a problem for you and could also result in physical injury to your dog.
Things that are present in the environment whenever your dog hears the startling noise can, from her viewpoint, become associated with the frightening sound. Over a period of time, she may become afraid of other things in the environment that she associates with the noise that frightens her. For example, dogs that are afraid of thunder may later become afraid of the wind, dark clouds and flashes of light that often precede the sound of thunder. Dogs that are afraid of firecrackers may become afraid of the children who have the firecrackers or may become afraid to go in the backyard, if that’s where they usually hear the noise.
What You Can Do To Help
Create A Safe Place: Try to create a safe place for your dog to go to when she hears the noises that frighten her. But remember, this must be a safe location from her perspective, not yours. Notice where she goes, or tries to go, when she’s frightened, and if at all possible, give her access to that place. If she’s trying to get inside the house, consider installing a dog door. If she’s trying to get under your bed, give her access to your bedroom. You can also create a "hidey-hole" that’s dark, small and shielded from the frightening sound as much as possible (a fan or radio playing will help block out the sound). Encourage her to go there when you’re home and the thunder or other noise occurs. Feed her in that location and associate other "good things" happening to her there. She must be able to come and go from this location freely. Confining her in the "hidey-hole" when she doesn’t want to be there will only cause more problems. The "safe place" approach may work with some dogs, but not all. Some dogs are motivated to move and be active when frightened and "hiding out" won’t help them feel less fearful.
Distract Your Dog: This method works best when your dog is just beginning to get anxious. Encourage her to engage in any activity that captures her attention and distracts her from behaving fearfully. Start when she first alerts you to the noise and is not yet showing a lot of fearful behavior, but is only watchful. Immediately try to interest her in doing something that she really enjoys. Get out the tennis ball and play fetch (in an escape-proof area) or practice some commands that she knows. Give her a lot of praise and treats for paying attention to the game or the commands. As the storm or the noise builds, you may not be able to keep her attention on the activity, but it might delay the start of the fearful behavior for longer and longer each time you do it. If you can’t keep her attention and she begins acting afraid, stop the process. If you continue, you may inadvertently reinforce her fearful behavior.
Behavior Modification: Behavior modification techniques are often successful in reducing fears and phobias. The appropriate techniques are called "counter-conditioning" and "desensitization." This means to condition or teach your dog to respond in non-fearful ways to sounds and other stimuli that previously frightened her. This must be done very gradually. Begin by exposing her to an intensity level of noise that doesn’t frighten her and pair it with something pleasant, like a treat or a fun game. Gradually increase the volume as you continue to offer her something pleasant. Through this process, she’ll come to associate "good things" with the previously feared sound.
Example:
Make a tape with firecracker noises on it.
Play the tape at such a low volume that your dog doesn’t respond fearfully. While the tape is playing, feed her dinner, give her a treat or play her favorite game.
In your next session, play the tape a little louder while you feed her or play her favorite game.
Continue increasing the volume through many sessions over a period of several weeks or months. If at any time while the tape is playing, she displays fearful behavior, STOP. Begin your next session at a lower volume - one that doesn’t produce anxiety - and proceed more slowly.
If these techniques aren’t used correctly, they won’t be successful and can even make the problem worse.
For some fears, it can be difficult to recreate the fear stimulus. For example, thunder is accompanied by changes in barometric pressure, lightening and rain, and your dog’s fearful response may be to the combination of these things and not just the thunder. You may need professional assistance to create and implement this kind of behavior modification program.
Consult Your Veterinarian: Medication may be available which can make your dog less anxious for short time periods. Your veterinarian is the only person who is licensed and qualified to prescribe medication for your dog. Don’t attempt to give your dog any over-the-counter or prescription medication without consulting your veterinarian. Animals don’t respond to drugs the same way people do, and a medication that may be safe for humans could be fatal to your dog. Drug therapy, alone, won’t reduce fears and phobias permanently, but in extreme cases, behavior modification and medication used together might be the best approach.
What Not To Do
Attempting to reassure your dog when she’s afraid may reinforce her fearful behavior. If you pet, soothe or give treats to her when she’s behaving fearfully, she may interpret this as a reward for her fearful behavior. Instead, try to behave normally, as if you don’t notice her fearfulness.
Putting your dog in a crate to prevent her from being destructive during a thunderstorm is not recommended. She’ll still be afraid when she’s in the crate and is likely to injure herself, perhaps even severely, while attempting to get out of the crate.
Don’t punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make her more fearful.
Don’t try to force your dog to experience or be close to the sound that frightens her. Making her stay close to a group of children who are lighting firecrackers will only make her more afraid, and could cause her to become aggressive in an attempt to escape from the situation.
Obedience classes won’t make your dog less afraid of thunder or other noises, but could help boost her general confidence.

Answer 2

Our yellow lab is exactly the same. She never used to be afraid until we went through many hurricanes these past years. Now she is almost unbearable during a storm. Right now she is hiding under the bed and shaking because she hears thunder so far away, we can hardly hear it.
Our vet said we can give her 2 Benadryls to calm her. She is 70 pounds. Sometimes it helps, sometimes no. The vet also gave us some stuff to calm her down, but it knocks her out, so we only use it when its real bad and will last for awhile. We love on her a lot, pet her and put music on (we turn it up, so it drowns out the thunder a little), that seems to help the most. She just wants to be close to us when she's afraid.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do. My black lab was the same - she did improve a little I suppose. We used to stand out on the deck talking to her and re-assuring her when there was a storm - telling her it is ok etc. She did not like fireworks either. the only thing that settled her a tiny bit was to have her laying beside my chair stroking her and comforting her until it passed. dogs have very sensitive ears - some more than others - I have had 2 dogs that hated storms etc and 2 that were not so bad - pot luck I think really - good Luck and jsut re-assure her and try and keep her calm during these episodes

Answer 4

Buy a tape with thunderstorms on it, and start playing it very softly while doing something your lab likes...like chasing a ball. Gradually increase the volume while still doing the fun stuff. Then when a real storm comes, play with the dog.

Never give sympathy...it convinces them there really is a problem.

Answer 5

I have a chihuahua that is afraid of thunderstorms. He's pants, paces, & does weird things when he's afraid. I comfort him, hold him, & pet him. I also give him Diazepam. My vet prescribed it & I get it through Pet Pharmacy because I have to have it made into a liquid (he won't take pills). It's inexpensive around 15.00 which includes the shipping & handling fee & lasts quite a long time. I figure why make the dog suffer through it: the medication is safe. Make sure your dog is in a safe area during the thunderstorms, dogs have been known to injure themselves by jumping through windows or struggling to get off a leash or tie out & strangulating themselves. Talk with your vet & find out what he or she thinks you should do depending on the severity of your dogs fear.

Answer 6

I have found that making a tent for my small dog helps him feel more comforted during storms. I use a couple of bath towels and a small piece of furniture (like my nightstand) or a couple of sofa pillows to make him a little hidey-hole. He feels safer and I think the softness of the towels and pillows helps block out some of the deep thunder. No more howling and tearing up the house. My dog is rather small, so you might require a little more building supplies. It can double as a fort for the kids, too :)

Answer 7

My dog is also afraid of thunderstorms and he is a Boxer/Shepard Mix. The noise is too loud for the dog (their hearing is super sensitive) so just give him some Benadryll or other allergy medicine. It works for my baby doll. If that doesn't work, consult your vet. They should help.

Answer 8

If all else fails, go to Fosters and Smith.com. They have an all natural calmer for frightened or very hiper dogs. There are no chemicals in this, just stuff like camamille. I give this to my two little yorkie-poos during the 4th of July holiday. It won't knock him out, just calm and relax him.

Answer 9

You can try to bring the lab to a place in your house where the thunder is not very loud, like your basement, and caress and stroke him. If he knows that his owner is there for him and that he is safe in your arms, he will know that he is protected and there is nothing to be afraid of.

Answer 10

there is nothing u can really do. my old dog did that till she passed. try coaxing the dogs with treats and just be there for the dog. they can sense being afraid so just remain calm and talk to the dog like "what are u afraid of?????" nothing is going on outa the norm.

Answer 11

comfort him alot and also be with him. Try training him to NOT be afraid of thunderstorms...
but most of all love him