Oscar, Why are dogs afraid of thunder? -- Casey & Dakota

Dear Casey and Dakota, I have noticed this too. You could be the meanest, baddest rottweiler or German Shepherd, but as soon as dark clouds start to roll in, the leaves start swishing, and the thunders starts to rumble in the distance, you're under the bed or trembling in the corner of the bathroom!

In my house, we have a front porch that, in my puppy days, was puppy-proofed (except for one old foam couch, and boy did that arm-rest taste good!), and that's where I stayed when my parents were out. One day they returned to the scene of what seemed to them like a severe thunder storm had come through: tree branches down, saturated lawn, leaves upside-down -- all the tell-tale signs. And let me tell you, they were right; that storm was biblical! Thunder, lightning, pouring rain... wild. And there I was when they came home, tongue out and wagging my tail as if nothing happened. Nope, thunder doesn't really bother me.

But, for some dogs it does, and this behavior can -- but doesn't always -- indicate some sort of traumatic experience. I have heard of one beagle -- the famous Hunter who lived to be 17 -- who became afraid of loud banging noises after his owner brought him along one time to sight in his 30.06. Hunter's owner had a friend, Mr. B, who also had a beagle named Becky. Same thing: she was gun shy. But her owner made her sit right there while he sighted his rifle, and she learned to deal. (She never liked big bangs, but she dealt with it.)

Many vets and pet experts recommend medication for the fear of loud banging noises like thunder. Come on, guys. Don't be a bunch of dog-dopers. Fear of thunder is not a big deal (unless your dog's anxiety causes destructive behavior). If your dog is wrecking stuff, work with him/her, by playing (at low volume) thunder CDs in your house to get him/her used to the sound. During a storm, give your pet some attention; be reassuring and even play fun games like fetch. Sometimes it calms them down and sometimes not. And sometimes a pet that seemingly is cured of the fear of thunder has a relapse.

All of this is normal behavior, but I want to assure everyone: unless you are on top of a mountain during a thunderstorm, there's really not much to be afraid of.