Thunderstorms

[TwoDogs]

I've always been told not to comfort them during these times or it will simply reinforce that their behavior is okay and then cause them to react that way all of the time when they hear thunder, etc.

I've often wondered if this is really true. I know you can reinforce behavior, but you can't reinforce an emotion. Emotions don't come from the thinking part of the brain--the cortex, they come from the limbic, or instinctual, part of the brain.

If I had an intense fear of snakes and happened upon a snake, I would be afraid. I might perhaps become irrationally afraid. If, however, before I reached that level of irrational fear, I had a trusted herpatologist friend assure me that the snake was harmless and sit with me and perform a relaxation protocol, I don't think I would reach that same level of irrational fear. In fact, I think I would remain calm enough to listen to my herpatologist friend as he talked to me about snakes and perhaps next time I saw a snake, I would remember the experience with my herpatologist friend and not be quite as scared.

I think the same thing goes with dogs. If you can prevent them from reaching the emotional state of extreme fear (through aromatherapy, massage, or whatever) and have them maintain a calm behavior, I would think that any soothing you are providing them reinforces the calmer, less afraid behavior they are now exhibiting.

So, what does everybody else think? To sooth or not sooth, that is the question.