Advice re: dogs scared of fireworks
Discussion
Hi All,
I am aware it's approaching that time of year again, when many dogs end up spending the evenings cowering/ barking/ destroying furniture etc all for the sake of a few loud bangs and bright lights.
Don't get me wrong I like fireworks but I believe they should only be at special events on occasional nights.
Every year we worry about what we can do to help our four legged friends (cats included though they usually cope better)
There has been a lot done to help reduce the stress to dogs some of it very successful but they will always vary from pet to pet. This page offers some very good basic advice (I have read through and agree with it)
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/fireworks.php
On top of the advice here (using the CD probably a bit late for this year but worth getting ready for new years eve fireworks) there are a couple of other things to try
1. Zylkene http://www.zylkene.co.uk/ This page worth a read so you understand the product, easier than me writing it all out!! It is natural like DAP so no need to see a vet, most vets should stock it these days and certainly not going to do any harm to your pet.
2. Valium - this is designed not to dope your dog up as much as to help them no longer care about the firweorks, you will need to see a vet for these to work out a suitable dose, the nice thing is you can use them for several days with no acculmulative effects, though try not to all the same (like sedatives)and they are believed to help the dogs forget about the fireworks. Test doses are advised as can cause hyper excitement if this happens different dose needed, you do not want to find this out on the night you need them. Most vets these days should be aware of the use of Valium for firworks and should be prepared to help with this.
3. CD - this is a good one http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-training-aids-behaviour...
I personally (and the vets I work at) no longer advise the use of sedatives such as ACP, they do help to sedate and calm the dog for our benefit but the dog can still hear all the bangs but just can't react to them, so they are just as traumatised by them (which means they may well be worse next time), the effects build up so need to be careful if using for more than 2 nights on the trot (as they lower blood pressure).
I hope the above is helpful, I feel very blessed to have a dog that really doesnt care about fireworks but having had one that did I know how distressing it can be.
I am aware it's approaching that time of year again, when many dogs end up spending the evenings cowering/ barking/ destroying furniture etc all for the sake of a few loud bangs and bright lights.
Don't get me wrong I like fireworks but I believe they should only be at special events on occasional nights.
Every year we worry about what we can do to help our four legged friends (cats included though they usually cope better)
There has been a lot done to help reduce the stress to dogs some of it very successful but they will always vary from pet to pet. This page offers some very good basic advice (I have read through and agree with it)
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/fireworks.php
On top of the advice here (using the CD probably a bit late for this year but worth getting ready for new years eve fireworks) there are a couple of other things to try
1. Zylkene http://www.zylkene.co.uk/ This page worth a read so you understand the product, easier than me writing it all out!! It is natural like DAP so no need to see a vet, most vets should stock it these days and certainly not going to do any harm to your pet.
2. Valium - this is designed not to dope your dog up as much as to help them no longer care about the firweorks, you will need to see a vet for these to work out a suitable dose, the nice thing is you can use them for several days with no acculmulative effects, though try not to all the same (like sedatives)and they are believed to help the dogs forget about the fireworks. Test doses are advised as can cause hyper excitement if this happens different dose needed, you do not want to find this out on the night you need them. Most vets these days should be aware of the use of Valium for firworks and should be prepared to help with this.
3. CD - this is a good one http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-training-aids-behaviour...
I personally (and the vets I work at) no longer advise the use of sedatives such as ACP, they do help to sedate and calm the dog for our benefit but the dog can still hear all the bangs but just can't react to them, so they are just as traumatised by them (which means they may well be worse next time), the effects build up so need to be careful if using for more than 2 nights on the trot (as they lower blood pressure).
I hope the above is helpful, I feel very blessed to have a dog that really doesnt care about fireworks but having had one that did I know how distressing it can be.
freecar said:
I found deafening your dog can help immensely! 
I joke, but our dog has got a bit hard of hearing this year so shouldn't be so scared of the fireworks! Probably the only good bit about it.
Actually, the only benefit of our old dog having a 'stroke' was that she became partially deaf and so firweorks, thunder etc no longer bothered her!I joke, but our dog has got a bit hard of hearing this year so shouldn't be so scared of the fireworks! Probably the only good bit about it.
Original Poster said:
Loud(ish) music and shut curtains certainly helps, obviously don't leave them on their own either.
I think that is in the advice page I've put a link to.Hopefully the idea is to try and actually desensitise the dogs to fireworks for a more long term solution, the above advice pages and info I've given is try and combine both short and long term solutions. I really hope it will help.
Love the ear muffs on the dogs
New Years Eve is like world war three in the Philippines, a steady crescendo of noise that starts early evening and buy midnight is a full blown barrage of rockets, crackers, gun fire, whatever.
When we lived there before we would let our dogs into the house on New Year, to get away from the noise. It was such a novelty actually being allowed into the hallowed grounds (where they never normally tread) that they pretty much ignored the fireworks.
This year we'll only have three dogs, instead of six, so it should be easier.
But one of them does like to pee everywhere.....
When we lived there before we would let our dogs into the house on New Year, to get away from the noise. It was such a novelty actually being allowed into the hallowed grounds (where they never normally tread) that they pretty much ignored the fireworks.
This year we'll only have three dogs, instead of six, so it should be easier.
But one of them does like to pee everywhere.....
JCW said:
Go on You Tube and repeatedly run the videos of firework displays. Gradually turn the volume up over a period of days and they soon get used to it. Helps if you have decent speakers attached to your computer.
Yep that should work if done sensibly. Some dogs will need more help than just this but it's a good idea There's another website with a free MP3 download and some good advice: http://www.dogsandfireworks.com/
I would also use DAP or a Beaphar (cheaper) calming collar.
I would also use DAP or a Beaphar (cheaper) calming collar.
Cas_P said:
I'm worried about my horse, at this time of year all her 'neighbours' will be put in their stables and she's on grass livery so she'll be out alone. My cat never seems too fussed, but I always bring him in anyway.
I confess I know very little about horses but is there no way you can bring your horse in just for the main night? 
bexVN said:
Cas_P said:
I'm worried about my horse, at this time of year all her 'neighbours' will be put in their stables and she's on grass livery so she'll be out alone. My cat never seems too fussed, but I always bring him in anyway.
I confess I know very little about horses but is there no way you can bring your horse in just for the main night? Will my chickens be ok? They're only babies. As for the dogs. I feel like tying one of mine to a rocket atm. She doesn't like my chickens...
I have posted once before on a dog forum and probably phrased it badly.
This one will probably be no different.
Again I have the utmost respect for Mrs Grumpy et al, but the point is still being missed by everyone else.
Train the dog BEFORE all this socialising etc. etc. Introduce it to loud noises as an 8 week old pup at feeding time eg clapping hands, metal food dishes,kick the dustbin or whatever.
Alright, my dogs are trained to the gun but the principle remains.
A bit of practical common sense as opposed to anthropomorphic psychobabble is what is required.
I just can't understand why there is a problem.
I'm not trolling and probably being a bit naive but all the dogs I've ever had(and it's been quite a few)have loved fireworks.
This one will probably be no different.
Again I have the utmost respect for Mrs Grumpy et al, but the point is still being missed by everyone else.
Train the dog BEFORE all this socialising etc. etc. Introduce it to loud noises as an 8 week old pup at feeding time eg clapping hands, metal food dishes,kick the dustbin or whatever.
Alright, my dogs are trained to the gun but the principle remains.
A bit of practical common sense as opposed to anthropomorphic psychobabble is what is required.
I just can't understand why there is a problem.
I'm not trolling and probably being a bit naive but all the dogs I've ever had(and it's been quite a few)have loved fireworks.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff