Sarah Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 It's never too early to start planning for the 5th November!! Whilst the law states that fireworks can only be retailed during the two weeks prior to 5th November, but online suppliers sell all year round, making all of the of the autumn and winter months a potential nightmare for dogs with noise phobias. But fear not! With lots of patience, foresight and planning, you should be able modify your dogs anxiety during the bangs and whizzes. * Desensitise him by playing a fireworks cd on the lowest volume, whilst you carry on with your day to day routine. Initially, play the cd so quietly that you cant hear it he will still be able to hear it! After a week or so, turn up the volume a touch. And the week after turn it up a touch more and so on. Be sure not to fuss your dog whilst the cd is playing, this will reinforce any anxiety he feels towards the sounds and potentially make his problem worse. If you build up gradually and play the cd many times each day, you should see that he barely notices even the loudest of noises. As the cd volume increases, you can introduce a game so that he forms a positive association with happy games and loud noises. The earlier you start with this method, the more success youll have, so dont leave it until the middle of October! * Consider his environment. Provide your dog with a bolt-hole to run to if he feels threatened by the noises. Most dogs with noise phobias will appreciate somewhere to feel safe whilst ww3 kicks off outside Does Rover use a crate? If he does you should cover it with a heavy/thick blanket which will give him that extra feeling of security and help to block out flashes and noises. If he doesnt use a crate and you dont want to introduce one, find an area in the family room where he prefers to retreat to if he is unsure of something. This may be in a corner of the room or underneath a table for eg. Now try and find a way to make that area enclosed and covered, use blankets and chairs to create a little den. Or alternatively find a sturdy cardboard box just big enough for him to curl up in and cut out one side as a door (white goods boxes work well for large breeds). Encourage your dog to use this area as his safe space and reward him with high value toys or bones when he is in there. * Dont fuss him or try to cuddle him or offer words of sympathy or reassurance because this will only reinforce any anxiety he is feeling and potentially make his problem worse. He is looking to you to be a leader and you should demonstrate that there is nothing to be feared by remaining calm and going about your usual business. This flies in the face of everything we want to do as caring humans, but our dogs are not human and we need to be careful not to send them conflicting signals. Playing happy games is ok, but dont force him if he is struggling to deal with the noise. * Mask the fireworks as best as possible by turning the radio or tv to the highest volume level you (or your neighbours) can tolerate. Practice this many times before the firework season so that your dog doesnt form a negative association with a loud tv and impending fireworks. If possible have a loud radio right next to your dogs crate. * Exercise before dusk and more than usual so that Rover is tired and has toileted. * Consider introducing herbal remedies (such as Rescue Remedy and Valerian) several weeks before firework season so that their properties can take effect. * Try an Anxiety Wrap - Home Page (I cant recommend these enough, I had huge success with mine!). Or try a close fitting dog T-shirt instead if the Anxiety Wrap is too pricey. The idea is that this wrap offers a secure feeling and helps your dog to relax, think of it along the lines of swaddling a baby. Please try every other alternative before accepting sedatives from the vets. I was horrified when my vet explained that the dog can still hear the fireworks and is still stressed but because he is sedated he simply cant move and express his fear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austinville Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Excellent advice Sarah. And I appreciate you adding the last paragraph on sedatives - Not many people understand that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 i'm so lucky,none of mine have ever been bothered by fireworks. Rudy our Ridgeback foster (he comes back now and then, lol) doesn't like them but we adhere to the strictly no fuss and no bother routine and eventually he settles and gets the idea. Leala is bombproof and will go outside with them!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huskyluv Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Excellent post, I'm glad neither of mine is bothered by fireworks but I am curious what happens the 5th of November? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISDW Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Great post and excellent advice. The last bit about the sedatives is very important, I only learnt that recently. I have a mal here that was taken off the streets after a few weeks straying and was very, very stressed, the lady that rescued him gave him 3 ACPs, but poor sod, he was so terrified, because obviously he now couldn't really move much, but was still absolutely petrified. Did more harm than good I think. Val, November 5th in the UK is a celebration of the foiling of a plot to blow up parliament by Guy Fawkes and his friends. Usually there are bonfires with effigies of Guy Fawkes on them, and lots of fireworks. We obviously don't have it here in Ireland, but fireworks usually go off around halloween instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huskyluv Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Val, November 5th in the UK is a celebration of the foiling of a plot to blow up parliament by Guy Fawkes and his friends. Usually there are bonfires with effigies of Guy Fawkes on them, and lots of fireworks. We obviously don't have it here in Ireland, but fireworks usually go off around halloween instead. Thank you for the insight, that is very interesting. Learned my new fact for the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISDW Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thank you for the insight, that is very interesting. Learned my new fact for the day. LOL as a kid I loved that time of year, you would go out trick or treating on 31st October and get sweets and money, then make a Guy from old clothes, stuffed with newspaper etc, and wheel that around, asking for "A penny for the Guy". We were rich just for a little while:p Unfortunately though, there are incidents every year with dogs or cats being deliberately injured or killed by fireworks, and when we lived in London the fireworks would start a month before November 5th and go on at least a month afterwards. Murphy is petrified of them, but now that she's so old, she's totally deaf, so they don't bother her any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 great thread real glad mine dont bother about them xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Great post ,Kira isnt bothered with fireworks but Tia is so scared ,they last for about 2 weeks here and its a shame for Tia as she wont even go out in the garden and follows you everywhere at night she even tries to get into the bed, so this year I wont be hanging around while they are about:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules dief taz tor Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 the ppl over the road had a firework display the other night , the dogs had a look , woo wooed and then went back to sleep , even little tori lol, so hopin they will be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 great post saz thnx soooooooo much for this bings is petrified ov fireworks i just get him bravin goin out in the dark n then its bonfire night again - then he wont go out even when its only just gettin dark (u no dark but light enuf that the street lights ent on) poor thing sits there shakin like a leaf its soooo hard not 2 go and comfort him he h8s all loud noises sum1 slammin a garage door down he even gets petrified is sum1 pops their bubble gum - he will then refuse 2 walk anyfurther n just drag me home tried 2 add 2 rep but cnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 awww poor guy - hey no rep ???? Where's my smiley face then!! pffttt lol lol lol xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 here you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 gr8 info sarah.....Saskia & Diesel arent 2 bothered about fireworks. This will be our 1st year with Tux & we dont know how he will react, hopefully he'll learn off my other 2 not 2b bothered by them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 here you go ohhhhhh thank you so much ROFL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Great thread and advise sarah, added to rep here you go thanks for cheering my day up nix have given too much rep in last 24hrs so will come back later and add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Just bumping this thread for our newer members and those that haven't read this yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 I must of missed this one, good info there and a big rep. We've recently had a lot of fireworks with Eid, and Noushka couldn't care less, Barry hates them, Smithy however jumps up at the back door and wants to go out, sit on the table and watch them , bloomin' fireworks ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabresmum Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Thanks for the info Sarah. Don't know how Sabre is going to be with fireworks but when we took him to a brass band march contest he absolutely hated the bass drum as it got near to him so it's not really looking good for fireworks. Will let my in-laws know about the sedatives as they give them to their dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akira26 Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Awesome post... added to rep, Thanks for all this info - this will come in handy as Tala has yet to hear fireworks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzykal Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 Great information sarah, i struggled with my older dog for years with fireworks and thunder and lightning, unfortantly i even had some medication from the vets the one year and never used them again as you stated he could still hear them etc but just could not move and that was not nice to see. Over the years i have learned to carry on with what i am doing around the house and not cuddle him or show affection as i was just feeding his anxiety. I have noticed since i started getting huskies he has calmed down a lot really he has his moments and this year will be the tester really as this year i have gained 2 more huskies, im lucky as to yet they have not been affected by the fireworks so im hoping it stays that way and that the pups dont get affected by them. I have thought of trying those cd's but because my older dog is 10 this year i was not sure it could work. I have helped him through the last 10years with his fear and learnt along the way and have made mistakes eg cuddling him etc but did get him to a more calmer level in the end by ignoring the behaviour and just keeping a close eye on him. i always provide somewhere for him to go if need be, he likes it under the stairs where it is dark and i just carry on doing what ever i was doing but keep an eye on him at all times just incase as over the years he has come close to having tv's etc fall on him just because he was trying to escape the noise.. It such terrible thing to see your dog with so much fear, but fingers crossed the last few years have been easier so im hoping this year will be the same.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibe77 Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 great post Sarah, grey had his first taste of Fireworks last night and he loved them his ears were pricked up and he was running back and forth looking up at the sky..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 New Years Eve = More fireworks and potential high stress and anxiety levels for dogs!!! A few tips here also to help ease stress and anxiety: http://dogtime.com/fireworks-fear.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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