dogs frightened of fireworks- an excellent tip

[Annagain]

For those of who who struggle with dogs who are frightened of fireworks thought I'd pass on an excellent tip. We struggled with ours for years and even sedating him didn't work, he'd still lie there shaking but just couldn't run and hide.

Anyway a vet told us to give him a treat each time there was a bang so we sat with him armed with little lumps of cheese and within two days instead of hiding under the coffee table shaking he would be running up to the windows (even though the curtains were closed!) barking at them and then running up to us for his treat! He started associating the bangs with something good, stopped being frightened and just got excited instead!

Never needed to try it with horses so couldn't tell you if it works with them! I imagine they're not so easily bribed!

 

[Booboos]

That's fantastic!! Glad it worked so well with your dog! Should work equally well with any animal, it's just operant conditioning (the principle behind many animal training techniques, including clicker training).

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yep, and out of season you can get a recording of fireworks and bangs, so you are well prepared! A friend of mine also broke large sticks when out on walks to get her gun-shy male used to sharp, loud noises

 

[MurphysMinder]

I have that CD, essential listening for all puppies. It has a huge variety of random noises on it, sirens, washing machines, gunfire etc, used to play it as background "music" when I had a litter.