Instructions
Give your dog treats. The trick to teaching your dog to overcome its fears is to train it to associate good things with an experience. Just before a storm hits, give the dog a treat. While the storm is happening, talk to it gently and continue giving it small treats periodically.
Purchase a thunderstorm CD. Play this CD softly, allowing the dog to hear it really quietly. Gradually increase the sound and monitor the dog's reactions. Comfort the dog if it gets scared, or turn the CD down a little until the dog seems relaxed and normal. Give it a treat now and then to reassure it that everything is okay. After you repeat this process several times, the dog may become used to the sounds and may not be afraid anymore.
Bring the dog inside. If your dog is an outdoor dog, bring it in just before the storm arrives and let it stay in until the storm has passed.
Spend time with the dog. If your dog is scared of a storm, comfort it and offer it some extra attention. Make it feel loved and special. Pet the dog, talk to it or play a game such as fetch. Human touch and interaction often help dogs overcome their fears.
Make a veterinarian appointment. If nothing seems to help your dog, take it to the vet to get a checkup. Some dogs with extreme phobias suffer from anxiety problems and may need medication to calm them down.
How to Help Your Dog Overcome His Fear of Thunderstorms
Many dogs develop fears, and a common one is fear of thunderstorms. There are several methods you can try to help your dog overcome this fear, and the results vary from dog to dog. Most dogs' reactions are based on experiences. If a dog associates certain activities with good experiences, it most likely will not be afraid of the activity, but if it associates an activity with a bad experience, it most likely will have a fear of that activity.