Afraid of Thunder

Perhaps you know the drill: A flash of lightning, a clap of thunder, and your normally calm dog is off whining and wildly searching for a hiding place. Animal behaviorists call this reaction “storm anxiety” or “noise phobia.” And while it’s pretty common in dogs, it’s hardly easy to watch — or cure. But don’t ignore it, advises Matt Peuser, a Kansas veterinarian, explaining “Most of the time, they don’t grow out of it on their own, and many will get worse with time if nothing is done.” Yet many owners are stumped about how to address the behavior. One