Oh no - firework season
Discussion
A little advice please folk....
We have had our gorgeous 2 year old cocker spaniel boy now for 6 months - he has been pretty much the ideal dog since we got him in April, great with people/other dogs, sleeps in the kitchen at night with no barking/scratching, travels without a peep in the car - begs too much when we are eating, pulls a bit on the lead - a great all round dog - never had an accident in the house from the day we got him.....until tonight.
Last night a neighbor a few doors up let of a good few fireworks, Charlie was outside at the time - queue lots of barking and running around, he was clearly upset but settled ok, and slept ok in the kitchen.
Tonight more fireworks, Charlie was indoors but could hear them - more barking and looking anxious, didn't seem to settle. We then caught him having a pee in the house, for once he didn't indicate he needed to go out (very strange) - opened the back door manged to get him outside and guess what more ****** fireworks!
So - we have a bottle of Adaptil which we have sprayed on to a fetching neckachief we have knocked up, we have turned the TV up but could do with some advice on how your dogs handle fireworks and any tips and tricks for dealing with this time of year - do dogs they ever get used to fireworks
Thanks,
We have had our gorgeous 2 year old cocker spaniel boy now for 6 months - he has been pretty much the ideal dog since we got him in April, great with people/other dogs, sleeps in the kitchen at night with no barking/scratching, travels without a peep in the car - begs too much when we are eating, pulls a bit on the lead - a great all round dog - never had an accident in the house from the day we got him.....until tonight.
Last night a neighbor a few doors up let of a good few fireworks, Charlie was outside at the time - queue lots of barking and running around, he was clearly upset but settled ok, and slept ok in the kitchen.
Tonight more fireworks, Charlie was indoors but could hear them - more barking and looking anxious, didn't seem to settle. We then caught him having a pee in the house, for once he didn't indicate he needed to go out (very strange) - opened the back door manged to get him outside and guess what more ****** fireworks!
So - we have a bottle of Adaptil which we have sprayed on to a fetching neckachief we have knocked up, we have turned the TV up but could do with some advice on how your dogs handle fireworks and any tips and tricks for dealing with this time of year - do dogs they ever get used to fireworks
Thanks,
There's a CD you can buy (try Amazon) of 'firework noises' which is supposed to get pets used to these.
I haven't tried it personally, but am told it's good.
However we're up for a lot of this sort of thing in the next few weeks, with various chav weddings, Eid, Bonfire Night and Diwali.
I haven't tried it personally, but am told it's good.
However we're up for a lot of this sort of thing in the next few weeks, with various chav weddings, Eid, Bonfire Night and Diwali.
Its tough when they get scared. When we had two, Millie used to get really shakey and hated them, but now Milo is alone he seems to have calmed down no end.
We used to try and ignore any odd behaviour, and other than shutting all the doors and having the tv on louder for the evening, never really found an answer.
The vets can and will offer chemical assistance if required though.
We used to try and ignore any odd behaviour, and other than shutting all the doors and having the tv on louder for the evening, never really found an answer.
The vets can and will offer chemical assistance if required though.
Get a Thundershirt. http://www.thundershirt.com
My dog was terrified of fireworks and thunder and I was recommended to try one of these. I really didn't think it was going to work but it does. No more trying to dig through the floor or sofa and no more shaking. I really wish I'd known about them earlier as I'd tried most of the sprays and collars and they didn't help.
My dog was terrified of fireworks and thunder and I was recommended to try one of these. I really didn't think it was going to work but it does. No more trying to dig through the floor or sofa and no more shaking. I really wish I'd known about them earlier as I'd tried most of the sprays and collars and they didn't help.
Can also use the 1812 Overture... The Thundershirts work on some dogs, not all.
I wish I had a good answer to this, I have 9 stone worth of killing machine cuddled up on me when it is fireworks night, shaking like a leaf. The most success so far is with homeopathic drops in the ears.
I wish I had a good answer to this, I have 9 stone worth of killing machine cuddled up on me when it is fireworks night, shaking like a leaf. The most success so far is with homeopathic drops in the ears.
Jasandjules said:
Can also use the 1812 Overture... The Thundershirts work on some dogs, not all.
I wish I had a good answer to this, I have 9 stone worth of killing machine cuddled up on me when it is fireworks night, shaking like a leaf. The most success so far is with homeopathic drops in the ears.
What are these drops called and where from please?I wish I had a good answer to this, I have 9 stone worth of killing machine cuddled up on me when it is fireworks night, shaking like a leaf. The most success so far is with homeopathic drops in the ears.
I posted the following a couple years ago,so copy and pasted as still relevant but with couple updated things 
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).
4. DAP - now called ADAPTIL, either plug in or collar (collar good for when outside)
5. Kalmaid - Another natural enzyme with calming properties. Available over the counter, good for more immediate treatment though still better to use a few days before event. Also best to double dose. It it is a liquid so easy to mix in food and for cats and dogs.
6. Prepare a den at least 2 weeks before needed.
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.
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).
4. DAP - now called ADAPTIL, either plug in or collar (collar good for when outside)
5. Kalmaid - Another natural enzyme with calming properties. Available over the counter, good for more immediate treatment though still better to use a few days before event. Also best to double dose. It it is a liquid so easy to mix in food and for cats and dogs.
6. Prepare a den at least 2 weeks before needed.
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.
Gargamel said:
Sorry can't be help. my advice would be to buy a gun dog 
This!!My two sleep in kennels outside and we have no problems with them and fireworks. Although sometimes when walking them and a car backfires Glen stops and looks up and around for the obligatory bird falling out the sky!!! Lol
Squiggs said:
My dog hates fireworks so I bought a CD. I put it on she looked at the speakers where the sound was coming from and then curled up and went to sleep.
Another £12 wasted!
With the CD you're supposed to start it off very very quiet for a few days so they barely notice it, then slowly increase the volume ensuring the dogs cope with it and continue until the noise is really really loud and the dogs are still ignoring it.Another £12 wasted!
They are designed for desensitsation programs and can take months to be completed.
Should also be used in combination with calming aids.
ETA there are plenty of gundog breeds that can become noise phobic.
bexVN said:
Squiggs said:
My dog hates fireworks so I bought a CD. I put it on she looked at the speakers where the sound was coming from and then curled up and went to sleep.
Another £12 wasted!
With the CD you're supposed to start it off very very quiet for a few days so they barely notice it, then slowly increase the volume ensuring the dogs cope with it and continue until the noise is really really loud and the dogs are still ignoring it.Another £12 wasted!
They are designed for desensitsation programs and can take months to be completed.
Should also be used in combination with calming aids.
ETA there are plenty of gundog breeds that can become noise phobic.
I started off quiet and gradually increased the volume and she ignored all the noises from the CD all the way through - but as soon as the real things went off she sat in corner shaking and panting.
I'm always listening to music at home so I'm guessing she's just got used to sounds coming from my large speakers and has learnt the difference between 'inside' and 'outside' noises.
On a different note we also know when thunder is on its way long before we can hear it cos once again she sits in the corner and pants relentlessly. She can be doing this 30 mins before we hear any thunder.
SPR2 said:
What are these drops called and where from please?
It's a flower essence for trauma which our homeopath made for us - if you want her contact details let me know. We also use acinote which worked wonders when he was running around the house. If you call a company called Ainsworths they can go through symptoms etc and send you what they think will help.bexVN said:
So rare to have someone follow it properly. Have you tried any of the products above. Even better all of them
When we first got her (as a pup about this time 6 years ago) we all sat outside and watched the fireworks.One year on and she sat at the open back door and watched them by herself - and then it all started going down hill.
4 years on and we've sort of given up really, due to lack of of time more than anything else.
As horrible as it is to see her shaking and panting in the corner at the end of the day it's not going to kill her ....
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff