My Golden Retriever, Chester, was extremely thunder phobic. He paced, drooled, panted, hid, quivered and trembled, sweat from his footpads and, at times, expressed his anal sacs when we heard very loud crack of lightening (all reflexive behaviors). He would jump up on my bed – I told him to get off; he would snuggle up to me – I told him to go lay down; he hid in the closet – I let him be. I didn’t want to “reinforce” his fear by interacting with him.

During one storm, he was absolutely beside himself and started to chew on his paws. Enough was enough. As tears rolled down my cheek, I felt that I did my poor dog a disservice by making him suffer as long as he did. I went with my gut and invited him up onto the bed, gave him a deep muscle massage and as the pounding of his heart slowed down, the drooling stopped and his eyes closed, I gave him a hug, kiss, and told him how sorry I was. I bought him a new bed, put it in the closet and filled it up with his toys. As the years went on his fears subsided. He would lie next to my bed and actually sleep during a storm.

In conclusion, it is time we start to look at our pets as living beings with emotions. They need empathy, care and touch, especially when fearful. I do not believe the earth is flat because this is what the experts have proven through various studies. There might be some of you that still debate that, which is fine. Studies have been done on this topic as well, with good evidence that you cannot “reinforce fear.” But, if you feel the earth is flat or want to believe you can make a dog more fearful by petting it, I suggest you give it a try before you stomp your feet and tell me I’m nuts. A little bit of love and affection should make YOU feel better!