I need some help ... please

What you shouldn't do is sooth and comfort him with "it's ok, I'm here".  That reinforces that there is something to be afraid of.
 
I am terrified of thunder storms and I have to work really hard NOT to react.  My dogs, on the other hand, could care less.
 
I believe that there are CD's you can buy to desensitize them to loud noises, including thunder.  I'm not sure how well they work, but I sure do feel for you going through this.

Dang...I just wrote a book, went to get a link, and my book is gone.  Anyway, I have a thunderphobic dog too, and know how you feel.  From what I have been told, you don't need to be concerned about the heart.

Here is the link with some ideas for you.

http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/behavior-phobia.html

Do you by any chance get The Whole Dog Journal magazine?  I just read this month's issue yesterday and there was a great article on phobias and the writer described reactions exactly like you're experiencing. It seems, based on what you say and what she went through, that this can really escalate.  Her dog was panicking while out on walks, wouldn't sleep at night, etc.  She ended up using medications and described the pros and cons of each one.  You can sign up for the magazine online.  I think it's $20 for a years subscription, but it's really a good magazie and worth it.

As Glenda said, it's not recommended that you do anything to soothe them but I can imagine how hard that can be.  As for noises like the 4th of July, I just try to put my dogs somewhere safe and turn the radio up, but that's only one (or a few) days a year.  

We have had the worst lighting and thunderstorms I've ever seen in my lifetime in the last 2 weeks and about 3 months ago. I mean they scared the crap out of me. I try not to coddle the dog who is glued to my leg.  If hubby is home we have normal conversations in a happy tone.  I turn off the TV and A/C so they don't blow up, so there is no TV noise to drown it out.  Last nite the power wnet out along with flickering lights, beeping smoke detectors and a wierd screaming electrical noise swirling blue light around the house.  I swear to God, I thought aliens or a helecoptor was landing on the roof.!  I slept with a dog on each side of me,  huibby was gone to work for emergency managment.  Anyway, this is not good for my scaredy dog.
 
My vet gave me some colmicalm to soothe him (I have not used it yet). 

Thanks everyone and especially thanks for the link.
 
Cathy - I don't subscribe to it but I will sign up now and look at what you are referencing.
 
It breaks my heart to watch him but at the same time I don't want this to escalate as it looks like that's what's happening.  I need to try to help him now, as this is the onset, before it becomes much worse.  I try to talk in a very calm tone to him.  When I talk to him I use my "good boy" voice ... but I guess I'm making him worse by coddling him.  Although, it is very hard not to try to make him feel better.  I have been trying to send out positive energy from me to him, but it seems as though he truly doesn't want any part of anything except to sit on me and shake.
 
I wish he was food-motivated, because then I could use treats to get him through it ... but he's not.
 
Thank you again.
Mary

Mary, I think I might think about changing the time the vet said to give Riley the meds on the 4th. of  July - maybe give it to him about 3 or 4 p.m. instead.  If it only lasts 8 hrs. for him, it could be worn off before the fireworks even start. I don't know about where you are, but here there are idiots wandering around after the fireworks, setting off firecrackers sometimes until 11 or midnight, even later.

Joyce

The woman who wrote the article for WDJ said that the medication that worked best for her dog was Xanax and it actually takes affect within 20 min's.  I thought that was interesting but good to know.  It might be something worth trying a few days before the 4th though, just so you can see if and how it works for Riley.  I've mentioned this before, but as a dog lover, I really dislike all types of fireworks.  My one lab, Sassy, doesn't mind them a bit.  She sat about 30 feet away from the neighborhood block party of fireworks last couple years, and one year, she actually fell asleep.  My other lab, Buffy, is terrified of them though, but does okay if I hang out by her.  I just feel bad for all the animals who are freaked out during that time and yes, they do tend to linger beyond the actual night of the 4th, so you have to be prepared for that too.

I have the recording of a thunder storm on my pc, it really works for desensitzing for a while but needs to be done slowly and carefully, also eveyone else is correct. do not coddle, I know it's hard not to, but I got Trixie when she was 7 and she was deathly afraid of thunder and fire crackers, she is fine now. I time her outs so she doesn't have to go out in it. Keep tv louder than normal and go about your business, if you hear one and he doesn't engage him in play. I don't know where I got the sound and I can't copy it to put it here for some reason does anyone have any ideas.it opens in my media player. I would give him the pill, well before the fire works start and long enough to last through them. Be careful, don't get nervous anticipating them or he will pick up on it.  I would make his  last out well before they start. Good luck it's  hard but it can be done. I will keep playing with that tape. Also what really helped was that week of constant thunder we had last year I was really able to work with her.

Thank you Deb. 
 
I ordered the Whole Dog Journal.  I read the article with the woman and the medicines ... a lot of trial and error.  I really truly want Riley to have a fighting chance without being traumatized. 
 
I did just go at lunchtime and buy Bach's Rescue Remedy.  I am not sure though ... can I put it directly in his mouth.  The directions say 4 drops ... should I give Riley less because he's only 10 lbs?  I've been researching all morning to see what's out online.  I came across this Rescue Remedy and it's all natural.  I think I've seen CallieCritturs mention this ... but I'm not sure.  I won't use it until I hear back from someone who knows about it here.  I trust you guys implicitly. 
 
Thanks again in advance.
Mary

Mary - I'm glad you were able to read the article.  It sure did sound like some trials and tribulations huh?  I got the impression that it started out slowly but escalated pretty severely.  I hope that doesn't happen with Riley.  I think the Rescue Remedy is very safe, but you might PM Callie cause I know she's used it before.  Or you might start a separate post titled "Rescue Remedy Questions" and I'm sure you'll get a few replies that way.

Good luck and hopefully the Rescue Remedy, and the medications for the worst times, will be all that's needed.

I can certainly understand where you're coming from. My June is very thunderphobic, and to a degree sound sensitive to other sounds as well.

Several questions I have for you: during this blind panic run - is he off leash outside of a fenced in area? Or is he in your fence?

Also, is he crate trained?

How old is he now?

How long has this been happening?

I actually don't like Ace. I've tried to use it with June, and its just way too unpredictable. Sometimes it won't take effect for HOURS with her, and then other times it will last for longer than 12-16 hours - leaving her groggy and uncoordinated. I also didn't like what it did to her - she was basically too drugged to do anything, but totally terrified. I also used clomicalm with her last season, and tbh I think by the end of the season she was worse.

But, my Vet refuses to try anything else, so I think we're going to have to find someone who will help us.

Several things I do:

1. Ignore the dog. No "its OK", no extreme loves, just business as usual. When the sound hits, don't even look at the dog, don't react, just keep doing what you were doing. Do the normal stuff that you usually do.

2. Crate if possible or necessary. June does best to be crated during a storm so she cannot run willy-nilly.

3. Be mindful of the situation. For now I would keep him on the leash for a while any time you're not in an enclosure, and if he's a jumper, any time at all. Sure, he's been running to the back door, but you don't know - that might change - and then he'll be running blindly, away from home.

4. Check into DAP diffusers. Dog.com has them, the Comfort Zone Dog Appeasing Pheromone diffusers.

You're probably going to have to get through the season before you can start desensitizing and counter-conditioning. You want to be able to control the situation, and with storms popping up and fireworks going off, you have no control.

As for meds, I would prefer Xanax too.

Laura -
 
This has been the past two-three weeks, getting worse each time a storm pops up or firecracker goes off.
 
Riley is not crate trained.
 
Riley is 13 months old now.
 
Sorry, I shouldn't have let you guys think he was loose when he runs back home.  He's on leash, and does an about face from whereever we're walking and runs home like the wind with me in tow.
 
Funny, I do have the DAP diffuser ... and I just noticed last night it was empty - wonder how long it's been empty ... could be a possibility its been empty at least a week.
 
Thank you again for everything!
 
Mary

April is also afraid of those noises, if we are walking I just bring her home.  Thunder and lightening, if she wants on my lap I put her there and leave her alone, if I'm calm, she is calm, same way if we are in bed, she cuddles close and if I pretend to be asleep she settles down.

Ok - here's an update after last night.
 
About 8pm last night Riley was playing with his soccer ball, retrieving it and I was throwing it for him, when all of a sudden someone set off a very loud firecracker (sounded like an M80) right outside of my rear window where Riley was standing getting his ball.  He tore butt back to the couch where I was and started panting and shivering, as well as his ears were flat and tail down.  He waited for me to invite him up on the couch, and I did.  He went to the very end, and cowered.  Now, after all the advice everyone gave me, I said to him, "Hey, Peanut we were playing ... whats up with you stopping all of a sudden?"  He wanted no part of playing anymore as I threw the ball and he looked at me like, "You go get it, I'm not."  So, I started roughing him up.  Banging my hands on the couch and making noises as I grabbed his paws, his tail, his ears, and after 5 minutes he started to PLAY.  He got past the shivering and stuff and started to act normal.  I was elated!
 
Thank you to all who led me to understand that I shouldn't coddle him even though I want to.  I don't say he's cured, far from it, but it was a step in the right direction.
 
Everyone here is wonderful and I truly am glad that I am a member on this forum.  My heartfelt thanks everyone.
 
~Mary~