Fireworks

[ilsongirl]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what people do when it come to fireworks (the horrible things)

We did have Sophie last year, in fact we got her on the 4th Nov! She was fine with them and took all the loud bangs in her stride. Now we have Ben and he is very reactive to noise and I think he is going to find the whole thing quite stressful. It also Diwalli at the end of this month and last year a few our neighbours let of fireworks.
I was just wondering what other people did and how their dogs reacted?

Thanks
Sarah

[LOVEGSD]

Hi Sarah

I'm lucky in that Diesel is not bothered by fireworks at all, he take it all in his stride and sleeps through them.

Luckily all my friends dogs are the same as Diesel so I don't know what to suggest to help poor Ben.....

[Wooferhound]

I sympathise with you, it's really not nice for our animals to go through such high stress levels through fear, poor things!

I would create a den now, either under your table using blankets and dogs bedding, or if you happen to have a crate for your dog (ensuring the door is left open), cover it and make it den like, this will allow them somewhere safe to go should they be affected. Dogs are natural denning animals and will seek out solace somewhere they feel safe.

Get yourself a D.A.P (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) from your vets, the diffuser needs to be plugged in like an air freshner plug in thingy, this needs to be near the bed/den, it will help promote calm as the pheromone that is released is a synthetic version of what lactating bitches produce.

A sounds CD for desensitisation purposes would also be helpful, starting REALLY low on the volume and working up to slowly desensitise, by the time the fireworks start you should be on your way to a happier dog.

The other thing you really need to do is keep your dog amused all evening. If you are planning on going out then leave the TV on as the level of sounds and noise that come from the telly are far more varied than the radio, this will help to muffle any sounds. Better still, don't go out, put the telly on anyway and interact with your dog all evening, finishing with a lovely stuffed Kong. The more interaction from you and the less worry about whats going on outside will help for all the other bangs etc that go on outside.

Gawd, that was a waffle, sorry!

I hope you get on alright with it all.

Jo
x

[ilsongirl]

We will be staying in with them and will make him his little den my b/f will think i have gone mad (again!!). I will try and get hold of a CD for him too.

Thanks very much I am dreading it a little less now. Though if it were up to me they would be banned! (bah humbug)

[GSDOWNER]

George absolutely loves fireworks, lol and thunder, I think its because when he was younger we took him to airshows and lol one year to spike island to watch the fireworks on the bridge, he just looks into the sky head going side to side and just basically watches them

[zaclucy]

I think Barney would be ok with the fireworks, but Lucy goes mad, barking barking and even more barking, and it winds Barney up, and he ends up barking with her. I have plenty of cotton wool at the ready, to stuff in my ears No point having the telly on, no-one can hear it!

[Petnanny]

Dogs usually look towards their owners for a reaction to loud noises, and if you can remain calm, they should also. However, there are some super dvd's on the market of noises that you can play to desensitise your dog.

Try googling

[GypsyGSD]

Its not just bonfire night its the fact they go on for weeks b 4 and after is the problem, Gyps is not botherd as when she was training guns fireing blanks were involved, but for poor fynn and my cats its a living hell I have tried every method in the book including medication from vets and herbal shops , all I can do it turn tele up , close curtains and blinds, and let her hide behind settee which she does with 1 of the cats till they decide to come out colleen

[ilsongirl]

Originally Posted by GypsyGSD

Its not just bonfire night its the fact they go on for weeks b 4 and after is the problem, Gyps is not botherd as when she was training guns fireing blanks were involved, but for poor fynn and my cats its a living hell I have tried every method in the book including medication from vets and herbal shops , all I can do it turn tele up , close curtains and blinds, and let her hide behind settee which she does with 1 of the cats till they decide to come out colleen

That's what makes me annoyed it goes on for ages it would not be to bad if it was just bonfire night or the weekend closest to it. I would like to see stricter controls with them. I also think the age for purchase should be raised too.

[tesla-girl]

I live by some woods, and the wonderful residents nearby have decided to go into the woods and let some fireworks off. I've had Shaney and Kai less than a year so this is a whole new experience, Shane runs to the window and barks like mad and Kai kind of follows on. Joy of joys, earmuffs and another noise complaint at the ready

Not that i'd swap them for the world, though