Does a flash of lightning or a rumble of thunder cause your dog to tremble or pant uncontrollably? Did last year’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration prompt him to drool as though he were teething or to have a housetraining accident? 

If any of these scenarios have occurred, or if he shows other signs of stress, you can help your four-legged friend deal more comfortably with thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud noises. Listed below are a few suggestions that might help your pet:

Divert his attention.  Sometimes, all a dog needs to overcome his fear is to have his attention diverted elsewhere. “If a dog is frightened, get him engaged in a fun game of fetch, give him a phenomenal food-stuffed toy or bone, or get a handful of treats and ask him to perform all his tricks,” suggests Dr. Lisa Radosta, a veterinary behaviorist from Royal Palm Beach, Florida. “And get happy and excited yourself. It works wonders.”

Offer a mother’s comfort. Many fearful dogs calm down when their owner uses a product with dog appeasing pheromone (DAP). The DAP, which is similar to the pheromone released by mother dogs nursing their puppies, “comes in a variety of forms such as a diffuser, a collar and a spray,” says Dr. Emily Levine, a veterinary behaviorist in Fairfield, New Jersey.  More information about DAP products is available at www.petcomfortzone.com.

Find him a safe place. Some dogs try to find a place to hide away from storms —and if your dog is one, you can help him. “Provide the dog with a small, dark area such as access to a closet if the dog tends to seek those types of places during storms,” recommends Dr. Lore Haug, a veterinary behaviorist who practices in Sugar Land, Texas.

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