Fear and anxiety in dogs can take many forms: panting, shaking, yawning, tail between the legs, and running away. All of them are upsetting to see. Our first instinct is to comfort the dog—hug it, soothe it, and reassure it.

Animal behavior experts contend that response is all wrong. They say your sympathetic cuddling will only reinforce and reward the anxious behavior, and your dog won’t learn to face his fears alone.

 Thunderstorms and Other Fears

As the owner of an extremely noise-sensitive terrier, I know how difficult it is to ignore your dog’s distress. Our little guy starts shaking at the first hint of a thunderstorm, fireworks display or any sharp noise—and he looks so forlorn, it’s all I can do to keep from picking him up and cradling him. But I don’t. And I feel like a Bad Mom.

Fortunately, there are products on the market that can help. You can ask your veterinarian to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, but if you’re not keen on pharmaceuticals, try a natural calming remedy formulated especially for dogs. These products contain calming herbs (such as valerian, chamomile and St. Johns Wort), come in capsules, liquid or chews, and can be given when needed.

If your dog suffers from noise phobia, you may want to try desensitization therapy with recordings of the offending sound. In our case, we bought a CD with recorded thunderstorm sounds and, following the instructions, played it at increasingly higher volume levels over a period of several months. The result: our dog still reacted to thunder, but he was able to recover more quickly following a storm.

Pressure Therapy: Crazy but it Works

One of the most effective products I’ve come across for a stressed-out pup is a stretchy garment that applies gentle, sustained pressure to the dog’s midsection. Two of the popular brands you can buy online are the Thundershirt and the Anxiety Wrap. Animal scientists such as Dr. Temple Grandin believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system; it’s why fussy babies are often soothed when swaddled.

 Sounds interesting, but I was skeptical. I ordered one anyway. When the next thunderstorm arrived, I wrapped the spandex shirt around my pooch and watched him visibly relax, almost like he’d been put into a trance. Within a few minutes he was settling down for a nap, and it was Lights Out. I felt like a good Mom again.

-Paula Detwiller

AVP Staff Contributor

Try these natural products for a peaceful pooch:

Ark Naturals Happy Traveler (capsules): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/632634100094.html

Thundershirt: http://www.thundershirt.com/

Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Formula for Dogs (liquid): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664850645.html

Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Formula for Small Dogs (21 Soft Chews): http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664886828.html