Summer is the time of year when heavy thunderstorms and celebrations with fireworks are common. Many pets are quite afraid of the associated noises and can go through substantial stress.

There are a few different options for helping your furry friend, but first you have to avoid mistakes that make the problem worse. When you love on them and comfort them and tell them its OK, you are actually reinforcing the fear behavior in the pet. All your pet understands is that this particular behavior gets your positive attention.

Instead, try helping your pet overcome its fear by using the "reconditioning" method. This means that you expose your pet to similar noises in controlled situations. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, try simulating loud, clapping noises (by clapping your hands or clanging some pots and pans together) often during the week. This may make a clap of thunder on a dark stormy night seem less scary. At first your pet may think you're crazy and run away, but eventually you will desensitize it to loud noises.

The second option is to try to cover offensive sound with other noises. During a bad storm, put your pet in an interior room with a loud radio playing.

The third option is to use medications during particularly difficult times (like 4th of July) to ease your pet's anxiety. Give us a call if you feel that your pet may need medication, and if your pet is healthy we can prescribe an appropriate medication and instruct you on its use.