Advice please!! horrible thunder!

[Jessika]

REASSURING HER ENFORCES THE BEHAVIOR AND SHOWS HER THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE AFRAID OF.

Ignore her. Don't give her attention for acting the way she does. Perhaps put her into a room in the back of the house with the television or radio on loudly?? I KNOW its hard to not want to coddle and tell them they're ok, but dogs feed off human emotion -- if you coddle her you're just telling her there IS something to be afraid of. If you act like it does not bother you and it doesn't scare you, eventually she'll get it that its not something to be afraid of.

[ginagt]

Next time there is a storm, try playing some music to help disguise the thunder. If that doesn't work and she is still worried then use postive assoication. Everytime you hear thunder, shower her with treats, try to do it so she doesn't see they are coming from you. I like to use cheerios that way you can give a lot of treats and you don't have to worry about any weight gain. Basically you want her to think, thunder equals treats. She hears thunder and treats fall from the sky. She most likely will not mind thunder if you are consistant with the treats and thunder.
Good luck.