Our Berner is so freaked out by thunder and lightening. He paces, and pants, and whines. I feel terribly for him, but dont know what I can do. I try to keep the TV on so there is a distraction, Sometimes it helps, but other times I just have to sit on the couch with him until it is over. Do your dogs freak out too? Any suggestions?

I had an dog when I was young that was the same way. He would cower in the corner during thunder storms. No amount of coaxing could change his deathly fear.

He never did outgrow it, I guess just pray for less storms

my berner is like this too. I was told its because of their sensitive hearing... the low tone in a thunder storm (thunder) is really loud to a dog.

I just distract darby with a game or let him sleep at my feet, this seems to put him at ease... a bit like a child crawling into your bed after a bad dream.