Superstar is scared of lightning--real bad!

Although there seems to be a monsoon in Florida this summer, it couldnt get worse! My Superstar is terrified of lightning, that when she wants to go to the bathroom, she looks outside and wants to get back in, even when it is sunny outside!!!!!!I tried to walk her in the morning, and now she doesnt want to! Now, she is sad all the times, she is not hyper and wants to cuddle with me or my boyfriend. So she starts whining when there is lightning and shakes like a jumpy bean. We try to desensitize the lightning sound with treats but she doesnt want to eat them. I have no idea of what to do....

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Comment by Bev Levy on July 16, 2009 at 4:21pm: Have you read or seen the movie "Marley and Me"? Fear of thunder storms is a pretty irrational fear that some animals have. My Sparty has a mild fear but just hangs close to me to be OK. My sister's dog hurt himself a couple of times while home alone during a thunder storm so I know it can be really awful. We use Bach's Rescue Remedy for some of Sparty's anxiety issues with some success but the best thing to do is try to find the best way to help her. For some it is loud music, distraction, play, or just plain going about your business as usual. Whatever works for your baby! You just have to experiment. Good luck.

Comment by Stanley & Charlotte on July 15, 2009 at 7:13pm: In our training class, someone asked about this. The trainer recc. that it would be good time to do some training with the dog (ie make her sit, down, any of the tricks she knows). You need to get her mind focused on something else. You don't want to coddle her b/c that will reinforce the behavior. Like if you baby her too much, you're telling her it's ok to be scared. Also, if she likes her crate, maybe you could put her in there. Some dogs like to think of their crate as their "safe place." As for treats, I read somewhere that licking is a soothing sensation for dogs. So maybe give her a super yummy kong filled with peanut butter or yogurt, etc.

Poor Superstar! It doesn't help we live in the lightning capital of the world!!