thunder

[lozzzz]

When it thunders my dog barks for england,I dont think hes scared,its not the aggressive barking he does when he hears fireworks and its not terror like when he sees a hot air balloon,he can be shut up if we keep his attention with toys or treats,which is ok for a while but 3hrs weds night was a bit tedious,he didn't take any notice of it a while back when it thundered when we were out on a walk, so im guessing attention seeking,ignoring him doesn't work and neither does telling him "no barkies",which usually works for other barking.any suggestions.

[Pollyfrance]

Our dog hides under the table or in the hallway when it thunders as she is afraid of it. She won't touch her food or any treats offered and will not go out for a walk. Perhaps your dog wants to go out for a walk and that's why it is barking, it might associate thunder with walkies?? Especially as you say you took the dog out in thunder and it was OK??  Only a suggestion of course, what do you think?

[shaneystar]

Shane does this but only indoors.If it's thundering while we are out it doesn't bother him.He races around barking his head off.I can't get him out of it.I think ..he thinks..it's someone trying to get into the house as it sounds muffled when you are indoors.
I just try and distract him with a toy or a biccie and turn the tele up!
He's got to go the vets for an op on Monday..I have found a lump on his left hindquarter at the top near his outlet so to speak.They are going to do a biopsy.I am very worried about it.
It doesn't pain him when you touch it so am keeping everything crossed that it's just a fatty cyst or something.
Sorry to hijack your thread with this .

[drgnrdr]

 The appropriate techniques are called "counter-conditioning" and "desensitization." This means to condition or teach your dog to respond in non-fearful ways to sounds and other stimuli that previously frightened him.This must be done very gradually. Begin by exposing him to an intensity level of noise that doesn't frighten him and pair it with something pleasant, like a treat or a fun game. Gradually increase the volume as you continue to offer him something pleasant. Through this process, he'll come to associate "good things" with the previously feared sound. Make a tape with firecracker noises on it.
Play the tape at such a low volume that your dog doesn't respond fearfully. While the tape is playing, feed him dinner, give him a treat or play his favorite game.
In your next session, play the tape a little louder while you feed him or play his favorite game.
Continue increasing the volume through many sessions over a period of several weeks or months. If at any time while the tape is playing, he displays fearful behavior, STOP. Begin your next session at a lower volume - one that doesn't produce anxiety - and proceed more slowly.
If these techniques aren't used correctly, they won't be successful and can even make the problem worse.

For some fears, it can be difficult to recreate the fear stimulus. For example, thunder is accompanied by changes in barometric pressure, lightening and rain, and your dog's fearful response may be to the combination of these things and not just the thunder. You may need professional assistance to create and implement this kind of behavior modification program.
Sorry so long just trying to help...

[lozzzz]

Thanks for your answers,I hope shane will be ok,please let me know how he gets on.

had storm last night,used his excited barking as a trainin session,I think he wants to be distracted,he was flinging himself to the floor to play dead and roll over,after 2 hrs I stuffed a kong with cheese and he seem to calm down and occupied himself with that for an hour.