My dog has ruined several carpets already. She's a nine year old Golden Retriever, she is well housebroken, but she ruins the carpet during thunderstorms, or when people are shooting off fireworks on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July

i don't think you can,my dog ALWAYS shakes if there is a loud noise,sorry.

I'd suggest comforting her with hugs and treats whenever a storm is going on. Do something to take her attention away from it, or just make her feel safe.

I am sure that it isnt that she is afraid more so that it hurts her ears.

My dog, a five-year-old Keeshound, goes absolutely PSYCHO when there is a storm or fireworks or such. During that time she shakes, whimpers, runs around the house, hides under desks, and tries to get into comfy, small spaces. The reason dogs go psycho in storms is because of the loud noises and also because of the static electricity in the air. For fireworks its just the really loud noises.What we do is bring her in front oof the couch and hold her against it so that she feels like she's in one of the small spaces that she likes getting into. In a storm we cover her with a blanket to limit static electricity and cover her ears so that she can't hear as well. We do the same during fireworks except minus the blanket. For your dog, you should bring her into the shower or something, in case she has an accident, and leave her there if you aren't home during the storm/fireworks.

You can't !The dog is already conditioned. The best thing for your dog, your carpet, and your family is a dog crate.Get a crate large enough for her to turn around in and lie down (best if she can lie on her side with legs all the way stretched out touching the opposite wall of crate).Simple crate training lessons in the following book:"What all Good Dogs Should Know" by VolhardShe should get used to crate within a few days.Put her in there while you are around, and it's NOT thundering, and let her chill out.Give her towels or rug, and blanket. Add maybe one toy she likes, or a nylon bone. She will soon learn it is her safe place where she doesn't have to worry!She may still cry, shake and be afraid but your carpets will be safe and she won't drive you crazy.

Desensitizing her is a good idea, associate the scary time with something fun like her favorite toy or treat with lots of "good girls". Also, ask your vet for acepromazine to give her if you know a big storm is coming or on a firework holiday. If given one hour or so before the big event and in the proper (mild) doseage it will relax her a bit so your desensitizing will work more effectively. Good luck!