Bonfire Night - Preparing now!

milesjess

milesjess

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What do you do with your dog's on Bonfire night? Turn the TV up? Sedate?

I have a 6 year old, gorgeous Rhodesian Ridgeback. Last Bonfire night was probably the worst for him and he's never been the same since.
Basically whilst out walking (earlier on in the day) some idiot set a firework off and it spooked him... A short distance of been dragged home later and he was left shaking under our table for most of the night and was very unsettled.

When walking him now if he hears a loud bang he will still be spooked (we are currently working on this with him).

I don't really want him sedating by the vets... But does anyone have any useful advice/ tips??
 
Hiya,

Not much help as never had this problem, but I know that you can buy tapes that sound like fireworks/road noise/bangs etc etc etc to "train" puppies not to be scared. You could buy one of these and play it around the house alot and act as if there is nothing happening and he might calm down?

You might be able to find the sound effect on itunes too. Think your best bet is just to introduce it to him as often as possible.
 
Ever since one of my greyhounds tried to escape through a glass door on bonfire night I have always used ACP if I have dogs which get stressed. Having said that my current three couldnt give a stuff about fireworks, so I just turn the radio up slightly louder and make sure I stay at home to hold their paws if required :)
 
i have to buy tablets to sedate mine with living a 5 min walk from princes street and then the end of festival fireworks this sunday he would go mental there on for 30 min and the house shakes when they go off
 
Hello! I got some great advice on this thread about the best way to deal with fireworks.....and this thread is me being very happy about the results! Owners have bought a CD and have been playing it nearly every night for him, seems to have worked a treat :)

Hope that helps, good luck! :D
 
my last dog was petrified. we used to build a comfy living room atmosphere. all four of us in the living room with the dog on the sofa which is not normally allowed. we then watch tv and play games. create an exciting and relaxed atmosphere for the dog to be in and ignore the outside world.
 
We've been using the CD for fireworks for the last 6 months as older dog is terrified, and gradually turning the sound up, he pretty much ignores it now. Still think those doggy ear defenders might be worth a go!
 
Friends dog (failed springer gun dog) is so petrified of fireworks that even sedating doesn't work. They stay put with the television on very loudly and try to avoid being near to any actual displays (hard nowadays though). They did try a conditioning cd but to say Hollys initial reaction was extreme would be an understatement.

This dog does take special needs to a whole dimension. She cannot be left on her own in the house - ever. Therefore wherever they go, she goes, even if it means staying in the car while they eat etc!
 
If you want to go the conditioning route I'm pretty sure you'd be able to get lots of free firework sound effects on the net for free, just google free sound effects. Lots of sites offer basic sound effects free as mp3 files, I was able to do the sound for short films at college just from free stuff and the odd recording session for 'odder' things we needed, so I reckon you could probably put together a decent compilation with some variety and length. If not send me a pm and I'll try to get something sorted for you tomorrow :)

What you would be aiming for is a form of exposure therapy, so start off by playing them very quietly, preferably at a time when you're all relaxed, and very gradually increase the volume. If he reacts badly at any stage you would need to go back a step or two in terms of volume etc until he was settled again.
 
One of my BC's thinks fireworks, thunder, gunshot, anything that goes bang are the best fun in the world and turns into a loopy nutter when he hears them. He goes crazy to get outside so he can charge about like an idiot shouting at them. I sedate him just to calm him down as it isn't practical to have him charging about shouting like an idiot.
My other one doesn't 'like' them nor 'dislike' them. He's totally neutral. He'll happily go outside when they go off and takes the attitude of 'yeah whatever, I don't see what all the fuss is about'.

Kat
 
Mine aren't phased by them at all, but my friends dog really suffers. Last year she mentioned it to the vet who gave her (no charge :eek:) some drops. She only had to put 2 on his bed and on him.

He was really chilled apparently so will ask her what they were and let you know :)
 
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