I'm in Pinellas and we've been having regular afternoon thunderstorms. One of our dogs is so afraid of the thunder that she will "hold it" forever, rather than venture outside if there is thunder (she'll go outside in pouring rain, as long as there is no thunder.)
Of course that means, she'll wake somebody up in the middle of the night to let her out once the thunders past.
I discovered a few weeks ago that if I ask her if she wants to go on the leash (usually we just let them into the yard and they'll stay in our yard), she'll run for her leash, and if I put it on her and walk outside with her, she doesn't mind the thunder.
Go figure...the dog definitely needs psychotherapy, LOL.
Ha! My ridgeback has a 'safe room' in our bedroom closet. The rows of clothes dampen all the sound, so when a thunderstorm crops up, we throw her dog bed/pillow in there and she holes up.
LOL Mine can hold it for days if the alternative is going out in a t-storm. Likey yours, rain is not a problem. Just if there is thunder involved. Common problem with goldens, not sure about other breeds. Where does yours like to hide? Mine generally hides under the bed, but one day I saw just the rear end of a dog sticking out of the closet. You guessed it, the rest of her was hiding inside! Silly girl!
susie