Many dogs suffer from fear of storms and multiple treatments have been used with varied results. Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia evaluated the use of a combination of clomipramine (Clomicalm^®), alprazolam (Xanax^®), and behavior modification for the treatment of storm phobia in dogs.

Dogs with storm phobia received long-term treatment with clomipramine, which is a tricyclic antidepressant that has also been used in humans as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorders. Prior to and during a storm, the dogs received alprazolam, a benzodiazepine which is in the same class of drugs as Valium^®.

All dogs were also treated using behavior modification consisting of desensitization and counter-conditioning. In this therapy, the animal's fear response is decreased while he is exposed to increasing levels of the fear-producing stimulus. In the study, multiple sessions of behavior modification were given to each dog. The dog was given treats and played with as long as he remained calm while the sound tape of a storm was played. If the dog showed any fear as the volume of the tape was gradually increased, the play or treat was withdrawn. If the dog recovered, the play or treats were resumed. If he did not recover, the volume of the tape was lowered until no signs of fear were elicited and the session continued.

In this four-month study, 30 of 32 dogs showed some improvement. Many showed substantial improvement, and the owners of 2 dogs felt the storm phobia was resolved. Panting, pacing, trembling, remaining near the owner, hiding, excessive vocalization, self-trauma, and inappropriate elimination all decreased during treatment. Four months after the study, improvement was maintained.

For more information about this common behavior problem, see Fear of Thunderstorms and Noise Phobias.