Fireworks upsetting your dog

[Laurac13]

Anyone else sitting next to an upset pup due to fireworks tonight?
My rescue lady is pretty calm in most circumstances but despite the tv on super loud she is trembling as she was last night and probably tomorrow as bonfire night never lasts just one night

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ivy was last night. We thought coming to in-laws would be better than at home which it sort of was in that there wasn't a lot of random ones going off from early eve right through to bedtime like it would be at home, but we could overhear the local display even with fairly loud music on. We stupidly didn't bring her crate with us as that's her go-to at home but once she'd worked out which corner to squidge into we made that as comfy as possible for her but she was still panting for quite a while. She had recovered by bed time thankfully.

A few have gone off this eve and she's in a different corner but seems less distressed than last night. It's hard seeing them upset. Just trying to keep myself calm and give her some reassurance from time to time.

ETA - I hope your pup recovers soon and also I love her ears!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I’m grateful that the youngsters are taking the cue from Bear (who is selectively deaf).

 

[meleeka]

Not my dog but my ponies. Some inconsiderate person just along had some enormous ones. I happened to look on my CCTV and the whole sky lit up so I could see the ponies running around. Obviously I went back to see them and I think it helped a little.

I think my dog is going a bit deaf so wasn’t overly bothered by them so that’s something.

 

[SilverLinings]

The golf club round here hires a field fairly near to me for a massive fireworks display every year (it was tonight). Despite being the other side of the hill and having double glazing and a solidly built house I could actually feel the bangs from the ridiculously loud fireworks; it put me on edge, so must have been awful for any nervous dogs who live round here.

Aside from whether noisy fireworks need to exist at all, why do they need to be so unpleasantly loud? I'm sure they get louder every year, and as children attend the professional displays why isn't it seen as a health and safety issue? Loud noises contribute to hearing loss, and if they have to bang, couldn't it be at a less terrifying level? I don't understand why dogs are the only concern (I'm not belittling the impact on animals), and what about the wildlife, which must be terrified.

I have been lucky with dogs (and horses) who have been fine with shooting and fireworks, but I feel so sorry for owners of those who aren't. I wish they were legally confined to bonfire weekend (2 or 3 nights) and NYE. At least then we could prepare for them, and avoid areas with large displays.

 

[toppedoff]

Mine are okay but gosh I hate em

 

[Morwenna]

Mine has finally calmed down. She spent the whole of the local display running up and down, panting and barking at them. Now we have the random bangs from people letting off their own to contend with.

 

[tda]

Dogs and ponies are fine, but I cringe when they go off and I'm outside

 

[MuddyMonster]

Our's have been awful this year. I think because local displays have been cancelled, more people have had them at home so it's fair game from 5pm-10pm ish it would seem.

Currently someone is letting off some very, very loud one's, it would seem.

Dog is nervous of loud noises at the best of times but I'm so proud of his progress, as the nervousness would have lingered for a few days this time last year - so far, he's always been fine the next day.

 

[paisley]

Genuinely grateful it’s been pishing down since about 8pm, so the domestic fireworks haven’t been as bad. A big walk, early tea. some calmer, Strictly at full decibels and we have got through tonight. Tomorrow on the other hand…

 

[skinnydipper]

My poor dog.

I gave her her medication at 4, the fireworks started at 4.05. The b*stards. Not even dark.

She was distressed all evening, crying, pacing, barking, couldn't distract her, couldn't settle her. We were both worn out.

I'll give her it at 3 today and hope it takes effect before the first fireworks.

There can't be anyone that doesn't know that fireworks cause distress and death but still they do it.

Owner issues firework warning after death of horse

Liberty Starkie's horse had to be put down after being injured when it was scared by fireworks.

www.bbc.co.uk

Call for fireworks law change after dog's death in East Yorkshire

Karen McPhee's dog Bella died after she was hit by a train when she ran from a fireworks explosion.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Annette4]

Only 1 of ours is bothered thankfully so yes it means Taiko drums on all evening but at least we're only supporting 1 upset dog.

 

[Jenko109]

I have one who does not seem to even notice, one who is mildly concerned but just needs to be with you and another who is an absolute wreck.

They did not stop from about 5pm through to about 11pm last night. Frightened dog contained to a covered crate with a bowl of water as she pants so much from stress. Didn't even eat her prawn cracker that I popped in the cage for her from our Chinese.

The problem is that she will never get to really relax. Tonight, she will begin to anticipate it as soon as it gets dark. She will be trembling when there are no fireworks as she takes a few days to come down from the stress. Of course we are bound to get fireworks. If not tonight then there will be rogue ones set off Monday night or Tuesday or whenever. So she will not get to really relax.

Hate this time of year. I swear it will kill her one day.

 

[toppedoff]

I don't know where my cat is. I've looked twice around the neighbourhood now, I can't find him. In no closets or anything either

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have to say I was surprised last night at Cecil. He wasn’t at all happy with fireworks going off.
I’m pretty sure he was ok last year and is used to bangs as I take him shooting sometimes, maybe the excitement of that means he doesn’t notice the noise so much
He was ok until Bertie needed to go outside and he came too, I think it was almost more the sight in the distance but when we came indoors he carried it on.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Blue hasn't paid them the slightest attention.

 

[Wishfilly]

The golf club round here hires a field fairly near to me for a massive fireworks display every year (it was tonight). Despite being the other side of the hill and having double glazing and a solidly built house I could actually feel the bangs from the ridiculously loud fireworks; it put me on edge, so must have been awful for any nervous dogs who live round here.

Aside from whether noisy fireworks need to exist at all, why do they need to be so unpleasantly loud? I'm sure they get louder every year, and as children attend the professional displays why isn't it seen as a health and safety issue? Loud noises contribute to hearing loss, and if they have to bang, couldn't it be at a less terrifying level? I don't understand why dogs are the only concern (I'm not belittling the impact on animals), and what about the wildlife, which must be terrified.

I have been lucky with dogs (and horses) who have been fine with shooting and fireworks, but I feel so sorry for owners of those who aren't. I wish they were legally confined to bonfire weekend (2 or 3 nights) and NYE. At least then we could prepare for them, and avoid areas with large displays.

They are definitely getting louder- we also had a display at the end of the summer, so many really loud bangs in very quick succession. Tonight has been tame in comparison.

It can also be really distressing for ex-military and refugees, I wish the impact was thought about more. The summer display wasn't *that* well advertised, so could easily have been a shock to some people.

We also had fireworks on Halloween for some reason, which stressed me out because the horses weren't in as they normally are. Fortunately everyone was okay.

 

[toppedoff]

My cat is back thankfully, least I can sleep now!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Has anyone tried putting fireworks displays on the TV and using R+ training to create a positive association with it all?
I don't know if it would help, I just saw a video about it and though it was an interesting thing to try.

 

[Love]

Purdey was completely unaware of them all last night and I felt so relieved but tonight a couple of big big bangs in a row spooked her she’s been on her bed just panting and shaking slightly. We’ve been acting like all is normal and turned the tv up a bit which I assume is the best thing to do? Our bassets never used to seem to notice them so not had to deal with this before

 

[LilMyPony]

Our dogs whined like babies, and hid themselves in my coat, under my arms…
My pony actually ran into the hay rack, and grazed herself. Thankfully that’s all. But she was absolutely terrified. Miserable. Flinching, pacing, sweating, trembling and occasionally trying to bolt, and wouldn’t touch any feed.
On top of that I am terrified of bonfires, absolutely paralysingly scared. So it’s not been happy for anyone.
It’s cruelty. Why is it done??

 

[TPO]

@trickspaniel on instagram (& YouTube I think) does desensitisation exercises for fireworks.

She posted the other day about how she's gotten her sensitive spaniel OK with them. She's built up to them being recorded on one of those dog recording button things (Latin name). The dog actively hits the button that makes firework noises and gets treats.

Thankfully, Broom doesn't bother about them. They were going off last night but he was fine with TV one and a chew. We were at the horses during prime firework time but he's used to guns and bangers.

Horses have never bothered about them either but next to none around mums place where they are.

At my last house when Broom was a pup it felt like bombs were going off. The ground was literally shaking and in that estate there was a lot of "keeping up with the Jones". Each house set theirs off one at a time and each house seemed to have bigger fireworks that went on for longer.

Apart from the distress that they cause to domestic and wild animals, along with people they are so blinking pointless.

People literally putting their money up in flames, for what??

 

[Smitty]

I'm so lucky with my dog who just becomes incandescent with rage and wants to go in the garden and bark at them and is easily distracted with a tasty nibble. Last night we had weirdly few and those weren't loud, so he snuggled up under the throw on my bed and went to sleep.

My last dog used to become a jibbering wreck and would go round the house panting, shaking and not able to settle anywhere, It was awful to see. He wouldn't go outside for at least 2 hours after he heard a firework and sods law is such that as soon as I had persuaded him it was OK, another would go off. I got him meds from the vet and a Thunder shirt which helped, but it was still dreadful.

I have no idea why people feel the need to send money up in a few bright lights and a bang, but then again I like a drink which is pouring money down the drain, so there we go.

Apart from the needless distress, injury and damage, the wretched things are very poluting environmentally and physically harmful to those with some medical conditions such as asthma, COPD etc. I cannot see why they continue in widespread use, if at all.

 

[Jenko109]

Just seen on the news that youths have been attacking Police officers with fireworks.

What more incentive do they need to ban them?!

 

[scats]

My dogs were terrified. I’m glad it’s over!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have found that it is the random very loud bangs that upset mine. Jesse just shakes and pants uncontrollably because she doesn't know when the next one is coming. The organised displays which are a constant bombardment for a set length of time don't worry her anywhere near as much. I loathe the wretched things, once at our previous house went into the garden screaming at the neighbour behind us. They were letting off one of those horrendous repeating fireworks that sound like bombs. Michael was horrified by me but the neighbour didn't let any more off.

 

[paisley]

I have found that it is the random very loud bangs that upset mine. Jesse just shakes and pants uncontrollably because she doesn't know when the next one is coming. The organised displays which are a constant bombardment for a set length of time don't worry her anywhere near as much. I loathe the wretched things, once at our previous house went into the garden screaming at the neighbour behind us. They were letting off one of those horrendous repeating fireworks that sound like bombs. Michael was horrified by me but the neighbour didn't let any more off.

It’s exactly that- the random massive booming fireworks. You never know if/the next one starts as people fanny about in the garden getting it lit. At least with organised displays you can leave the area or know when it’s going to finish. I had planned to stay in the New Forest for this weekend to avoid the firework mania but couldn’t. Oddly quiet with not many being let off, really hope it’s not a delay till next week

 

[Birker2020]

I'm afraid my dog is an exception rather than the rule when it comes to fireworks.

She loves sitting on the bed watching them out of the window and in the past has even asked to go into the back garden and sit on the lawn staring up at them in the sky from a few doors away.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Very lucky that my horse and dog are unbothered. But then the dog has lived all her life near army training land and the horse has for the last 5-6 years that I've had her.

It's the cat that worries me! I try and trap him in when he comes in for his dinner so he at least can't go out but he still sits on us nervous all evening

I don't have a problem with organised displays and did in fact take my toddler to one this weekend, as long as locals are given good notice to make arrangements. I do hope the soundless ones take off a bit more though, I don't really see the point in the loud banging.

It's random garden displays I hate. It seems bonkers you can go to a shop and buy explosives yet here I am at 29 getting ID'd for calpol for my toddler.

 

[Birker2020]

Very lucky that my horse and dog are unbothered. But then the dog has lived all her life near army training land and the horse has for the last 5-6 years that I've had her.

It's the cat that worries me! I try and trap him in when he comes in for his dinner so he at least can't go out but he still sits on us nervous all evening

I don't have a problem with organised displays and did in fact take my toddler to one this weekend, as long as locals are given good notice to make arrangements. I do hope the soundless ones take off a bit more though, I don't really see the point in the loud banging.

It's random garden displays I hate. It seems bonkers you can go to a shop and buy explosives yet here I am at 29 getting ID'd for calpol for my toddler.

I was walking our dog down the small 'park' which is an area of grass and paved pavement at the back of the houses and apartments on our estate on Saturday when someone in a garden let off a huge firework only feet away from us.

It scared the life out of me, the dog didn't care but I jumped. This was about 12.00 noon so I had to wonder why someone would do such a stupid thing.