- 1). Find harp music at your local music store, such as Marisa Robles's "Harp Concerto." According to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, harp music has been scientifically proven to calm dogs (as well as other animals) during a time that they are otherwise scared or nervous.
- 2). Use "hug therapy" for your dog during the thunderstorm. According to neurologists, trauma in the nerves can cause problems for your dog unless the nerves are under constant pressure. Inventor Susan Sharp has designed a useful vest for your dog that will allow their nerves to be well "contained." Use the vest on your dog before a storm so it can associate it with good emotions instead of the negative ones it will experience in the storm.
- 3). Employ the use of desensitization, in which you will help your dog overcome its fear of loud noises by slowly exposing it to the stimulus. For instance, play something for your dog, on the radio, television or a CD if you'd like. Make sure the snippet is not too long (about the same length of time as thunder, which can be around three or four seconds). Slowly, turn the volume up. As your dog grows accustomed to the loud noises, it will start to associate it with the idea that nothing bad comes with it. Feed your dog treats if it does well.
- 4). Feed your dog treats during the thunderstorm. You can also give your dog belly-rubs, play with its favorite toy or do something else with your dog during the storm. This is called counter-conditioning and will allow the dog to associate a storm with its favorite things, thus eliminating its fear.
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