Thunder, Fireworks and Baht: What Actually Helped

Baht is a mixed-breed dog, about a year old, and she is terrified of thunder. The first real storm of monsoon season in Phuket Town had her shaking under the bed for hours. New Year fireworks were even worse. After a few months of trial and error, here is what helped her, which may or may not work for your dog.

First, I stopped making a big dramatic fuss. A calm, quiet presence worked better than hugging her and saying oh no. Second, I set up a den: a crate with an old blanket and a towel over the top to dim the light, placed in a room with thicker walls. Third, I played a long recording of rain sounds at low volume during storms, which seemed to cover some of the noise. Fourth, I walked her earlier in the evening so she was tired out.

I am not a vet, so I also asked ours about calming options. We agreed to talk again only if her anxiety stays severe. Mostly, Baht just needs company and a quiet corner, and now she sleeps through most thunder with one ear up.