Q: We have a 7-year old mixed breed dog that we got as a puppy while stationed in Japan. She is a wonderful, calm, sweet dog but deathly afraid of thunder and lightning. She seems to have become even more fearful as the years go on. For her first 2 years of life in Japan she never heard thunder, so we didn't know that it would be a problem until we moved back to the states. She senses a storm coming before we hear or see anything and paces, pants, trembles and shakes tremendously. Sometimes, if we sit with her she will settle down some, depending on how violent the storm is. However, we are not always home when a storm comes, so she has taken to urinating on my daughter's bed or on a couch because, I assume, she is so nervous. She has even done that when we are home. Is there anything that we can do to help calm her during a storm? Sometimes, I am afraid that she is going to have a heart attack because she is upset for so long. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thank you.

A: This is a common fear in dogs, and it does tend to get worse as they get older. Some dogs are helped by medications -- for that, check with your veterinarian.

Since your dog reacts before there are sounds of thunder, she might not be helped by something that works for some dogs -- playing a tape of storm sounds, softly at first, and gradually louder. She is likely reacting to things other than the sounds, such as changes in atmospheric pressure.

Be sure you do not give her sympathetic voice and petting when she is afraid. Instead, use a hearty voice and touch for petting. Don't encourage her to think there even is anything to be afraid of. Be jolly, instead.

Provide her with a sheltered place to rest during storms. Some dogs like to retreat to a dog crate in a darkened room. Some dogs may be helped by calming background sounds such as music.

Do consider medication if your dog is getting into a serious state during storms. Dogs will injure themselves in terror sometimes, and you don't want that to happen.