Dealing with fireworks

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Hanson

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I have a staffy / lurched cross who is terrified of fireworks and shooting. We have tried most tactics including sedation but nothing really seems to help her.

We can manage the shooting by avoiding tacking her out when the shoots are on, but fireworks are a bit different.

Biggest problem is getting her to out out last thing to make herself 'comfortable '.

She has a Jack Russell buddy ( pack leader ( hooligan!)) who is not in the slightest bit bothered, whom she usually follows. But when it comes to bangs, she gets so distressed.

Can anybody recommend anything as the bangs have started it seems.

Thanks
 
Adaptil collars/ plug ins. Zylkene or nutracalm.
Best to go along and have a chat with the Vet Nurse, who'll advise you and give you other tips how to manage her.
 
Op, So sorry to read your staffy x is so terrified of fireworks and that they have started already where you are. I really wish they could be banned from being bought by the public and only allowed to be set off at properly staged displays.

I used to have a Tervuren (Belgian Shepherd bitch) that was absolutely terrified when it came to fireworks. I found that by confining her to a sky kennel (the type you use on aeroplanes), with the grills covered by towels (indoors, obviously) was the only way she could control her self from completely freaking out. Of course I would also turn the radio/tv up in an effort to drown out some of the noise.

Admittedly, it didn't actually stop her from shaking but she did put herself into the kennel, of her own accord, when the bangs started and I believe it helped her feel much more secure and safe by being confined to a relatively small, dark space in this way. If your dog uses a crate or you could borrow one for the duration, you may find it helps. Anything's worth a try. Oh and if you do use a crate, put some old towels in the bottom and if your dog has any (understandable) accidents it will be confined to the crate rather than being spread all around the house!

I do hope your poor dog (and you) find some relief from this annual nightmare. Good luck. :(
 
Thundershirt really worked with my GSP who used to be a basket case! One evening I got home to find the local pub was setting off fireworks that I didn't know about and he was already a state - panting, whimpering, pacing etc.
I figured it was too late but put the shirt on him anyway as it usually helps and within 10mins he was upside down on the sofa and asleep!
 
Thanks all. Will look into thundershirt.

She is better in the dark, but not used to crates etc. Oddly enough, I have found lying with her under a blanket helps (she is a 'hot' dog, so gets too warm sometimes). But doesn't give me much rest.
 
my Sausage dog cross is like this and I bought and anxiety wrap .. didn't think it would help but it really does. worth a try. X
 
Is it possible to train dogs with a firework recording? If I had a horse which hated firework noise, I'd buy one of the recordings that are available and play it at increasing volume every day for a month. They are available on eBay and Amazon but maybe people have already tried this? Luckily I live within hearing of a regular shoot, and I've never had any animal scared of fireworks.
 
I've had good results with Bach rescue remedy and melatonin,in the past with my very reactive girl...over here the fireworks are let off on New Years eve,all evening long into the early hours...I used to give it every 4 hrs I. The afternoon and it really helped her stop shaking ,pacing.....loud tv also helped.
 
The dogs trust have released some free fireworks recordings that might help?

I'm going to buy mine an adaptil collar/plug in and a thunder shirt if I can get one to fit
 
This is the worst time of year for us and continues on until January, I've tried a crate covered up, adaptil and a cd which is meant to desensitise none of which have worked, unfortunately we have to use prescription diazepam as she gets so stressed she once tried to throw herself though the patio doors. I wanted to try the thundeshirt as well because even the diazepam only works to a certain extent but just think I will be wasting more money on things that don't work.
 
shannonandtay said:
This is the worst time of year for us and continues on until January, I've tried a crate covered up, adaptil and a cd which is meant to desensitise none of which have worked, unfortunately we have to use prescription diazepam as she gets so stressed she once tried to throw herself though the patio doors. I wanted to try the thundeshirt as well because even the diazepam only works to a certain extent but just think I will be wasting more money on things that don't work.
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I'd still be getting a Thundershirt, it's surely got to be worth a try ST, especially with such good recommendations. I do hope it works for you & your dog. It's dreadful to see them so frightened.
 
I do sympathise as our lurcher is a nervous wreck but luckily we are rural and now she is deaf so this year should be OK, I hope.
I came on to say, though, that our two labs (working dogs) go mad looking for things to pick up and want to go out to hunt the garden for dead pheasants.
 
Last year Fynn our Vizsla was a little nervous at first and would hide behind our legs. So when a bang went off we made nothing of it, we just carried on what we were doing and I think Fynn picked up on that, after a few days he ignored the bangs. This year with the gundog training hopefully he will be OK.

My pervious dog liked fireworks. Our next door neighbor had a display every year, when the first bang happened Jazz would rush to the back door, go and sit on our patio and watch the fireworks, tail wagging furiously and not move till it had finished. He did that until he was 13 years old (mind you I think the neighbor feeding him sausages may have helped desensitise him:D )
 
Hmm, they started last night where I am. Old terrier is always a gibbering wreck and young one took to sitting next to me barking in a very high tone every time there was a noise.

I have dreaded this time of year but today picked up a thunder shirt for the old one and have put them both on Gelsemmium (homeopathic) and alright, not quite up to last night's firework displays, but so far so good. Both sleeping on sofa despite theoccasional firework being discharged. My town's big display is next Friday so I hope if I carry on with everything, I should have a pee, whine/pant/shiver and bark free night.
 
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I have tried desensitising my lovely girl for the past couple of years, but it hasnt really worked. She is getting a little less anxious each year, but still not in a state that I am comfortable with.

Before I splash out on a thundershirt (she is an odd size as she is a lurcher staffie cross, deep chested but lean waist and fairly narrow shoulders and I couldnt size one to fit her), I though I would try a home made version. This weekend I 'dressed' her in the smallest t-shirt I could find and pinned it snuggly along her back - had to say I did see a difference in her. She laid down for a while in between bangs.

Tonight I am going to try a wrap made with a tail bandage (courtesy of one of the horses) and see if that helps.

Ive also uppped her exercise so that she is very tired (poor thing with be a waif by the end of the year!). Not a fan of classical music, but it seems to help her.

Ive also tried herbal remedies and of course sedatives from the vet, but they havent worked for her.

Wish people would just stick to one night! Ive booked time off work on Thursday and Friday as I reckon they will be the worst nights and Im off over the week-end anyway.

Big hugs to all the other scared pooches out there.
 
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