WWYD?? Dog really hating fireworks?

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zoelouisem

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This year my 18 month JR has just got so wound up from the fireworks. Im not far from legoland so and its very loud big display. Last night he hid in is crate under the blanket and had bunny caught in headlight eyes. Although thats not nice for him i dont feel thats a bad reaction.
But tonight as they were going off he was running in circles barking very upset, and got so wound up hes now been sick. He has calmed down now the big ones have stopped and is back in the crate under his blanket and keeps dozing off.
Would you take yours to the vet to get something for him for the next few nights?? Or as its only a couple of days let him cope with it.
I have the tv up loud curtains shut. I have another older dog who was snoring in his bed, i kept putting him in with him to see if that helped but he got no reassurance from that at all.
Last year he was restless but not this reactive he was alot younger then though.
Poor Charlie Dog!!:(
 
Do as you did before crate and cover. You can buy things to help settle but they dont work with mine and i dont like sedation methods but pop to the vets tomorrow they may have something. Just keep as quiet as you can. Next few days will be tough.
 
Thanks. Yer im not keen on sedating but as he got so wound up i wondered if i was mean not sedating him. Its for about 45 mins while the big display goes off he can cope with the other ones. I just feel sedating for 45 mins is quite extreme.
Poor doggy hes now on my daughters bed buried under her duvet!!!
 
my sympathies, i know exactly what you're going through. Its horrid seeing your animals so upset at this time of year.

my border collie is horrendously gun/firework shy. Tonight she's scared witless under the sofa. if i go to the loo , she comes with me. :o

i haven' tried calmers/sedatives to be honest, it maybe worth a try for you though?

good luck x
 
Thankyou, very upsetting. Not a happy household tonight i have an 8 year old daughter who hates them too. Although on a good note means i do not have to stand at a cold display watching them!!!
Ive never had a dog get so distressed my old dog used to shake a bit and pant but not as extreme as Charlie. :(
 
The DAP stuff works really well and I use valarian for my collie - she's normally pretty stressed out but is pretty chilled tonight - she's obvioulsy still anxious and isn't 'doped' but is able to cope with it and when the big bangs aren't going off is in a very happy place without massive sedation. Previous years I've had to sedate her very heavily to stop her hurting herself but the valarian seems to be calming her down without doping heavily. You can just buy it from a health food store
 
I've got 2 of my 3 who are scared of the fireworks. Have tried a Dap diffuser but didn't work for them sadly.
I have both the downstairs and the upstairs TVs on and curtains closed etc plus a covered crate available but they both prefer to go behind the settee or under the bed although as I type this Skye has just clambered over me and is laying by my side.
I hate the darn fireworks and have signed the petition to at least try to get the government to enforce pet safety on fireworks in the future. See post earlier this week.
I find it best to just let them find wherever they feel safest in the house and basically ignore the behaviour. Much as I hate this I'm sure it is the best course of action as the behaviour is not reinforced.
The 3rd dog is absolutely fine and keeps wanting to go in the garden to bark at the bangs!
 
Goya said:
I've got 2 of my 3 who are scared of the fireworks. Have tried a Dap diffuser but didn't work for them sadly.
I have both the downstairs and the upstairs TVs on and curtains closed etc plus a covered crate available but they both prefer to go behind the settee or under the bed although as I type this Skye has just clambered over me and is laying by my side.
I hate the darn fireworks and have signed the petition to at least try to get the government to enforce pet safety on fireworks in the future. See post earlier this week.
I find it best to just let them find wherever they feel safest in the house and basically ignore the behaviour. Much as I hate this I'm sure it is the best course of action as the behaviour is not reinforced.
The 3rd dog is absolutely fine and keeps wanting to go in the garden to bark at the bangs!
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Thanks. Yer im usually of the opinion of just leaving them and ignoring and they usually get over it, but because he was sick i thought maybe i was been a bit mean. Now the worst are over hes calmed down and is in bed with my daughter under the duvet, hes not gone to sleep but having a nice cuddle from her.
Im really not keen sedate as he has alot of years ahead (hopefully) and would rather he learnt to cope. But dunno maybe im just been harsh but dont really feel its healthy for him as if i sedated it wouldnt be just 1 night it would probaly be a week that cant be could to sedate that many times that close together.
 
Try putting a bit of cotton wool in his ears! It sounds a bit odd but it really helped my previous springer, who was a quaking wreck. Just dont forget to take it out before you go walkies!!
 
My 12 year old JRT is terrified, I can't do anything to help him, Dap, wraps etc proved pointless. I now just leave him alone, he goes from a shrieking wreck, dashing about the house to retreating under the bed and staying there until the following day. I've never tried the cotton wool though, I will give it a go tonight! My BC is disturbed and pants heavily but doesn't lose his wits like the JRT.
 
I always gave my old brown Dobe Dorwest Valerian, it really helped as he used to get into a state.

I did read of a novel approach on another forum where the owner on hearing a loud firework jumped in the air and clapped her hands and did a little dance around the living room. The minute the dog joined in she gave it a treat thus reinforcing a positive experience. It obviously depends on the dog on how entrenched the fear reaction is but doing something like the above is worth a try as long as you pull the curtains and the neighbours dont see you going crazy.:D
 
My vet gives me Diazepam(Valium) for my dog. Normally she is a complete nervous wreck, running about the house, tail tucked between her legs etc. After her tablets she just chills. She either sleeps or lays down with the occasional ear prick when a loud firework goes off. They aren't expensive and IMO far kinder than leaving her stressed and anxious all evening.
 
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