How common is fear of thunder/fireworks in dogs?

Question

Other loud noises (coffee grinder, vacuum cleaner, planes, helicopters) she does fine with. But thunder and fireworks make her a nervous wreck. Is this common?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Pretty common, none of my dogs like the thunder or fireworks, but don't seem to mind the vacuum.

Last night, our new pup just experienced his first thunderstorm, I thought I was going to die laughing. He would pop his head up every time the thunder rolled perk his ears up, all his hair on his back would stand up, he would bark ONCE, growl, the run and hide under my recliner. As soon as he thought it safe, he would return to my lap and fall right back to sleep, only to repeat this crazy act when the thunder rolled again. It was a long night last night =]

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

That's hilarious and pitiful at the same time.

Answer 2

Don't know how common it is, but my sister's dog (manchester terrier) has a prescription for prozac that reads "take in case of thunder storms."

Answer 3

It's VERY common. My vet has a kennel, and we always fill up over the 4th of July. It's crazy how many sedatives we have to give out because the dogs are terrified of the fireworks.

Answer 4

It's pretty common. Put yourself in their situation.. loud, unexplainable scary noises.. Wouldn't you be scared too? I know I would..

Answer 5

very...none of my dogs are afraid of thunder but they are afraid of fireworks..they hate them

Answer 6

We had an ederly female boxer once...She was fearless around people and other dogs...The firworks sent her under the bed for days...We had to give her a chill pill so she would sleep through it all...She lived to be 14 years of age..

Answer 7

all 4 of our dogs panic on the 4th. we lock them in the bathroom with water and they all huddle like puppies until it's over. If we keep them out they are inconsolable. they just dart every where with every boom.
but other loud noise they are fine cause they can see the cause of noise, and here it more than 1 or 2 times a year.

Answer 8

VERY. Dogs can hear a MUCH broader spectrum of Sounds than we can... -so WHATEVER they hear in Explosions & Thunder, must be VERY frightening! :(

Answer 9

it is VERY common , my dog is very scared of thunder and fireworks, maybe you should keep your dog with you when its thundering , that would calm her nervous.

Answer 10

My dog is so frightened of lighting and thunder...he is now scared when he hears it raining!
I read that because a dogs senses are so sharp..they not only hear thunder they actually smell the ozone. A thunderstorm is like horror movie to them.