STORM ANXIETY

Hi all,
My 5 Yr. old Golden as most dogs sense a storm coming.  I feel so bad, she wont leave your side,  she pants like crazy, and shakes like a leaf.  Lately she will go into the bathroom and lay as close as she can get to the back of the toilet.  Is there anything I can do to relax her,  besides just petting her.  I just feel bad if we are not home and she is this anxious.

Thanks

[Jaybay]

My dog was the same way with storms, and any loud noises like fireworks.  I made it worse for her by "babying" her and petting her and treating her like a human child.  She soon learned that she would get lots of attention when she got anxious and started shaking, and I kept on rewarding the bad behavior.  I finally learned that "I" was the problem.  Once I began letting her work through the anxiety on her own without my interference, she got much better, and very quickly.  Within 6 weeks she hardly turned an ear at a thunderstorm.

Even with a better behavioral approach, some dogs just don't seem to get over it and some even need meds for the problem.  Check with your vet for more ideas.