Thunderstorm anxiety - what do you do when you're not home?

Henry gets very upset during big thunderstorms. He runs around barking like crazy and generally works himself into a panic. I'm sitting here at work right now, and the thunder is SO loud, and I feel SO bad that he's probably at home freaking out. I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving a thundershirt on him all day with no one home. Is there anything else that can be done? Any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Chris, Kadi & Brodie on May 3, 2012 at 4:31pm

One clinic I worked at there was an Airedale that was terrified of storms, so any time they were in the forecast, they brought him in for day care. He was happy as a lark at the clinic. Don't know if that's an option for you or not, but it might be worth considering.

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Permalink Reply by Shippo & Koga Corgis on May 4, 2012 at 2:33am

When I had enough room, I always crated my other dog when there were fireworks going on as she was deathly afraid of them and would work herself into a panic, just like with Henry and thunderstorms. I would crate and mostly cover the crate with a breathable blanket, and then I would turn on the TV or the stereo or the fan - anything to drown out the noise of the fireworks. And I would give some kind of calmative supplement if I could, such as Melatonin, Valerian or Rescue Remedy. In conjunction, all this stuff worked perfectly to keep her calm during fireworks. I'm pretty sad that I no longer have room to fit Eevee's crate anywhere... the last 4th of July was pretty miserable for us.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on May 4, 2012 at 7:49am

Wiley (my rescue) is soooooo afraid of storms...I can tell a long time before they get here. The only things that help are to make sure her kennel is in a dark hallway or bathroom without windows and sometimes the radio on to block some of the noise. She still shakes and I feel so bad for her but she at least has a place she feels safer.I agree that I also don't want to leave the Thundershirt on all day.