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Old dogs do learn new tricks. Especially how to hide and cause destruction as panic builds from an oncoming storm.

My dog turns 10 this year, and is known as one of the most feared breeds in the dog world. The ever misunderstood Pit bull! But, this old gal has developed a fear of thunder storms that makes her jump from a stone cold sleep, and tear into the nearest confined space. She shakes and her tail points sharply between her back legs. This wasn't always the case. The three hurricanes that rolled over Florida in 2004 seem to be the trigger that has started her emotional breakdown.

Now at 10 years of age it isn't easy to break her of these new found fears. When she runs to escape the terror of the approaching storm you cannot just grab 85 pounds of dynamite. She will drag you into that nearest confined space and expect you to sit with her sharing the fear of the unknown. You don't whisper sweet nothings into a dog who believes her life is at parole as she squeezes herself under the closest bathroom fixture hoping it will save her from every deafening boom. At this point, when your left arm is trapped between dog, toilet and wall you say I need to find some answers to help this poor creature.

Drugs, therapy or extra attention seemed to be the choices we had to stop ramping panic at the first flash of lightning, or clap of thunder, but again age is truly a factor. Drugs can work great, but it is hard to predict a developing storm in Florida. Summer in the sunshine state can produce a boomer every afternoon, and most of the time without little warning. Trying to encourage, push or flat out wrestle a pill into super jaws when the storm hits can get a bit interesting. She knows better not to bite, but she know she doesn't have to open her mouth either. And drugs, in a old dog that may not handle the potential side effects at her age is to great of a risk, so the next option is therapy.

Therapy for a dog with a strong will and general dislike for other animals flat out doesn't make sense. This is one technique I pasted on. My dog is a sweet girl, but push her in a room with a bunch of nervous, timid animals, and the word "Bully" comes to mind. Her linage to take no mercy on the weak, and make lesser dogs fall in line. Again, she is sweet, and would never hurt another human, but dogs sometimes, and I'm not proud of this, are fair game.

Attention, I mean a lot of attention, when the moment of panic occurs. Plus a bit of planning helps as well. As I mentioned I live

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