My dog was terrified of fireworks (and guns going off -- we lived in the country when he was little and the sound of hunting send him into my bed and under the covers) but when I divorced I easily solved the problem -- and the holiday became a day my enormous golden retriever loved. I closed all the curtains when fireworks were imminent, put the tv or radio on, and.... prepared ice cream! Specialized dog ice cream works but he always had some really good vanilla ice cream, too. Fireworks? What fireworks? Ice cream and cuddling on the sofa until the whole thing was over worked year after year.
In Oakland, the fireworks boomed on like a five-hour grand finale. My dog was bothered by the noise because she couldn't sleep. But I was bothered by the bad manners and the bad air.
Thousands of exploding firecrackers foul the air and fill it with particulate matter that persists for days.
For the sake of my asthma, and of my dog, let's make national celebrations less harmful to those who choose to sleep and breathe.
3
Before I knew that dogs didn’t like fireworks it was too late. But this 11 year old girl talked to them and hugged them and got them through it. If you’re a grouchy old man, like me l’d say your sunk unless you can find an 11 year old girl.
3
My dog had a great day yesterday - natural fireworks - severe thunderstorms with close lightening strikes, followed by distant fireworks; wrapped up with someone way too nearby setting off fireworks for the next hour and a half.
He doesn't become more relaxed with any of the interventions mentioned, and cannot be refocused: he just wants to get as far away from windows and doors as possible (very sensible) and if I am at my pc desk set up, sometimes under my legs.
What we always do do is to go for a walk when it's all quiet again. Restoring normalcy and discharging built up tension, I think. A decent walk seems to get him back to his usual good-to-go state. Actually, he emerged from his fear state at about 11 PM, about 20 minutes after the noise died, and wanted to be taken out. Taken out, as opposed to being put out on his run -like a 2 yr old, he wanted company, not to go out alone). He was a little apprehensive at first, but quickly lost the apprehension as we moved along.
So I don't know how to convince a dog sensitive to explosions that it's just his thoughts which are
bothering him, or how to get him to breathe deeply, and noted that drugs just made him groggy, but I think we have recovery down.
3
Our family has a trick that works like a charm: putting the dog in the car with the A/C and radio on. She thinks she’s just going for a ride and can’t hear the scary fireworks.
2
The neighborhood fireworks started here on Sunday night. And every night until the grand finale last night starting at 7pm and continuing until around 11:30pm. That's a mighty long car ride. The one dog who is truly frightened (and of thunder) holes up with my youngest son, A/C, fans, AND TV all running in hopes that she won't notice quite so much. I hate fireworks. Hearing that 50% of dogs are bothered by them makes me wonder who the neighbors are who think they are a good idea.
3
Where's the compassion? Do dogs not feel real fear? Some folks here expressed the notion that dogs won't be afraid of fireworks if their owner handles them properly, as if feeling afraid is an inappropriate response to large crashing booms in the sky. I think it's sad that there are dog owners who feel that comforting their dog is not an essential part of July 4th, or any other day.
8
The problem that our dogs face goes back to the Star Spangled Banner. Thank Francis Scott Key.
"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, / Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
There is no solution until the US of A has a less noisy anthem. America the Beautiful perhaps. Or This Land Is Your Land.
2
I once had a Newfie mix who's knees were bad. She startled and slipped on the hardwood floors during fireworks, and once crawled into the bathtub, and stayed there all night.
Here's a suggestion. How about getting over your need to blow things up for entertainment!
11
A tight t-shirt and snuggling helps our 9-year-old pound puppy Bob, who doesn't like thunderstorms either. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog.
4
Very simple.
Keep your dog away from parks and gardens after dark.
Be with him/her.
Create a soothing atmosphere.
Shut the windows.
Put on his/her favourite music/netflix.
Provide a soothing, confident, reassuring touch.
3
My trick is to give my dog a bone filled with something yummy to occupy her for awhile. Chewing is soothing and a distraction.
2
Can’t we figure out a way to mute the fireworks. Not sure why people love the sound of war, but it sure does seem stupid. And the expense, not a small expense, could be used for something useful in the communities that are spending so extravagantly.
6
I have owned three Airedales since 1992. My first two Airedales were petrified of fireworks and thunderstorms. But my present dog, Augie, must be descended from those Airedales that served with the Germans and the British on the Western Front during WWI, because he is completely calm during fireworks and thunderstorms!
4
I wrap up my dog in her thundershirt while we watch TV on LOUD, REALLY L-O-U-D! It works fine. If I start the TV and the shirt before the fireworks start, she doesn't even notice the fireworks.
2
If you know when the fireworks will start, don’t feed your dog early on that day. Just as the fireworks are starting, give your pup a big juicy steak bone. He’ll forget about the noise and get busy with his bone. Do that two or three times and next time he hears explosions he won’t be terrified
2
We give our dog amitriptyline. He stays calm.
1
This time every year, my dogs and I head to BC (this year it was on June 29). We celebrate Canada Day with a traditional picnic wherever we end up, and spend the next week in either in the Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island. We will return home on July 9th because by then people here have blown through their arsenal and things are back to normal.
My dogs enjoy being there and so do I. They especially love some of the off-leash areas and how Canadians love their breed (Lurchers).
I don't mind missing "the rockets' red blare; the bombs bursting in air" and neither do they.
4
At the fireworks show tonight, a baby started crying unconsolably. I thought the tell the mother to cover the baby's ears. When she did do, the crying stopped. It might be worth trying something similar with dogs. Dogs have very sensitive hearing and may not be able to control their tolerance to loud noise as well as humans.
4
Basement. No basement, bathtub. Place a quilt or towels in tub, climb in with them. Lots of hugs, kisses and treats.
7
Kind to people - kind to pets. You sound like a good person I always appreciate your comments, Phyllis.
9
It's not just about dogs. What about cats, birds, mice, skunks, cows, etc. etc. Most of them have much more sensitive hearing than humans.
What I do for my furry kid:
-Thundershirt to swaddle her
-An hour before the noise starts, I put some Rescue Remedy on her favorite treat (from amazon)
-I walk her well before the noise
-I keep her in the bathroom with the door closed
-I run bathwater to drown out the noise (yes, shame on me)
-Have the TV blaring
-and sing to him/her!
It's worked the last couple of years. My husband thinks I'm nuts.
5
I hate fireworks holidays. My goldendoodle is terrified of the sound of fireworks. and is a quivering mess all night long.
I also heard a coyote in a nearby forested area howling, so I presume that wild animals are also effected.
I wish more communities would ban loud fireworks.
6
Take a water bowl, blankets (for her), iPad & a pilllow (for me) and join Dee in the bathtub. We stay there for as long as she needs. Netflix or music helps cover the noise. She is 15 now and getting more tolerant, but still freaks out if the fireworks are too close to the building.
3
My Labrador Retriever - now six years old - is trained as Gundog. My Breeder confronted each of the puppies already with different kind of noise and circumstances (traffic, tram noise - later shots). In the age of 19 month my dog passed already the "Essence Test" which also included "Shotshy" resistance. Since then he participated in numerous Working Tests and Field Trials where shooting with pistole or gun is the rule.
One of the result is that my dog has overcome fear and anxiety against all kind of noise, also against fireworks.
For Dog Holders not intending to train the dog as a Gundog, my recommendation is choosing a Breeder who starts educating the puppies as described above. I think that would help a lot!
Thanks Wilhelm, you sound like a nice person, but folks, please consider stopping with the breeders and adopt. If you have a specific breed in mind, please head to petfinder.org for starters as there are plenty of purebred animals that are in need of homes. I am always hoping breeding can be outlawed until shelters are no longer busting at the seams
8
What you are describing we call Temperment Testing. Most dog trainers/breeders know how to do it. And it’s a great precursor for certifying to do pet therapy in hospitals where dogs are exposed to loud noises, lots of rolling stuff, tubes and other things coming out of patients. When my first dog went through PÉT therapy certification they did everything to see if she was skittish including throwing a big alumninum trash can to hit the ground around 3 feet away from her. I was more nervous than she. She passed!
As with thunderstorms, put them in the bathtub (without water of course); it dulls the sound/vibration. With calming music if possible.
3
Actually, I run the water to drown out the noise (and keep her outside of the tub). It seems to soothe mine.
1
I haven’t found any one particular method makes as much of a difference as a combination of techniques. I use Thundershirts, conditioning and loud enough music playing to block out the random explosions. I find the dogs (I currently have 3 gun shy labs) are distracted and soothed by the background music which I always leave on for them but play louder during fireworks or sudden thunderstorms. Nothing is foolproof but instead manages their anxiety before it escalates to shaking and whining or climbing in the bathtub. I have also trained them to chew on their toys when they are anxious and tried to make it fun by giving them a special new toy for especially bad storms or hours of fireworks.
4
The first time my first dog heard a firework was during daylight on July 3rd 22 years ago when we were in the backyard together. Her head whipped around to view our reaction and we had none so neither did she. We ended up with two puppies from different litters of hers’ and 1 grand pup and with each they followed her lead so we never had issues and in fact they mostly slept through the noisiest parts. Now that we are empty nesters and have to start rebuilding our canine family again we’ll see if it works the same. We do temperate test dogs before we bring them into the house or decide which pup from a litter to keep so maybe it is because we look for confidence but not dominance or submission....
2
We had similar techniques and results for our 15 year old terrier mix.
1
I have been lucky with 3 previous dogs. None of them were bothered by loud noises but the current one goes into panting and pacing fits.. Meds prescribed by the vet didn't do a thing. But there was one medication that helped, a medication I am taking myself for hypertension: Metoprolol a beta blocker that blocks anxiety and panic symptoms, is often prescribed for stage fright. He is a large dog and I figured (with help of the internet) that I had the right dose for him. And given early enough a couple of hours beforehand it works like a charm, keeping him quiet and relaxed. What a difference!
6
I'm glad your dog is no longer having trouble but pease check with your vet, not just the internet, before giving your dog any medication
3
You are right of course. I am an internist and know that betablockers in mammals have a wide margin of safetyi. If in good health it's almost impossible to overdose on them.
1
We are serial lab owners. We’ve had 3. None have been affected in the least by fireworks. In fact, we used to take our first one to the 4th celebration in Prospect Park and to other fireworks displays and had to ensure he was on the leash so he didn’t run towards them. He loved watching the displays. I wonder sometimes whether this is more about neurotic owners than neurotic dogs.
No. You have been fortunate with your dogs. This is a very real fear that some dogs and cats both share. Loud and unknown noises are very jarring for some animals and upset their need for routine. It is very important to allow your animal to hide if they need to and don't try to drag them out of their hiding place to "show" them that it is ok. Let them hide if they need to. But if certain things can assist like positive reinforcement during the noise and commotion or even safe drugs prescribed by a vet, then by all means do it. Seeing animals who have an extreme case of this type of fear is positively heartbreaking to see.
24
Animals have their own individual sensitivities and fears. As I write, one cat is in hiding from these sounds, which she finds petrifying. Our second cat is fine and tried, to no avail, to tell his friend that everything is okay! It is remarkable how profoundly unique pets are; we just have to appreciate them as they are.
8
I do disagree with the sentiment that the owners may be neurotic. I have had 16 dogs in my 50 years. All different in their responses. As I write I have a content Yorkie with no fear and a pug and dachshund who are both asleep thanks to prescription medication. Fireworks are all around us. I resort to meds for their own sake. Really wish fireworks were illegal in residential areas. The risk of wildfires, not to mention the reactions of those with PTSD.
10
George Carlin once said, "life is a series of dogs." My current dog is only slightly alarmed by what amounts to war zone level explosions from neighborhood fireworks. Previous dog slept through it. Dog before that had total nervous breakdowns. No one "fed into" or "reinforced the behavior." They are all different. I am grateful that the current mutt does not freak out. Our family had a lovely Independence Day, but I dread tonight.
23
I have a cat who is terrified of fireworks! There is nothing I've found that mitigates the fear, distracts her, or drowns out the noise while they are being set off. She hides and wants to stay that way while the sounds are going on.
The way that life goes back to normal is that when the noises are gone, she will walk to the stairs and look at me; that's her cue that she's ready for us to check the house. I carry her from room to room, looking at surfaces, behind doors, in closets, under beds, in showers, until she's confident that the coast is clear. Then she's back to herself.
7
I share your experience. I too have a cat who is so traumatized she even refuses to come out of hiding to eat. My heart aches for her. There is really no solution, except the suggestion to ban fireworks in residential areas.
3
Hi Dolores,
Thanks for writing! As we speak, I am trying, in vain, to convince this cat that there's nothing in the house, but she doesn't believe it (at least not until the noise stops). It's so sad to be unable to comfort her. And even though our town's fireworks will soon end, a nearby golf club has their own show one of these nights. Ugh, again.
I actually scheduled my vacation plans so that I would be here for the fireworks and could, at the end, show her that everything is all right.
What we go through for our darling friends! ;)
Good luck to you and your little one!
2
Counter conditioning is our friend. It takes a bit of time, but can turn a stressful situation into a non-issue. We began “Thunder Apple,” with our three during thunderstorms and fireworks:
1. Have plenty of small pieces of apple/carrot/healthy treats on hand. Small is important here. Feeding a whole apple to a dog during the course of the night may produce another problem.
2. Hear thunder, stick a piece of apple in dog’s mouth. Get happy, let dog know you think this is great. Eat a few pieces yourself.
3. Repeat as necessary.
For food driven dogs, this works like a charm. Ours have no problems with thunder any more, nor as I recall with fireworks.
5
Europeans are way ahead of us: in some countries the fireworks are "silent"--saving pets and their owners (and people with PTSD) a lot of grief.
23
I combine ear plugs and ear muffs for blissful quiet, so why not something comparable for dogs? True, my ears are neither pointy nor floppy, but surely something could be devised.
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
2
I had a dog which was a street dog until 11 months when my caretakership began. It (or "he" for the pc) was from a poor and dangerous neighborhood where gunfire was frequent. Aside from being street smart and independent, he was also so unafraid of fireworks or any loud noise, he would walk up close to investigate street-level fireworks of locals in my neighborhood. Of course, I would call him away and he mostly trusted my judgement. However, I suppose you wouldn't want to try his basic training at home.
1
The problem is adults who think disturbing everyone’s peace is a good idea. I made my neighbor understand that a cherry bomb up his but is going to be the ultimate solution to his noise.
11
We have had many dogs with thunderstorm or fireworks anxiety, and many with none. We have one of each right now. I ignore the anxiety until it prevents my sleeping. So one night with the susceptible one in full blown panic, I threw him out into the storm. He was either going to cower panting and whining next to my bed, or somewhere else, inconsolable as he was, so I figured his favorite dark Hi-Def hole under the shed was better than the former. He still has anxiety, but not nearly as bad. Just a little tension and an occasional pant.
I've had weimaraners for many years. Some from puppies, some from middle age (rescues.) Most have hated thunder and fireworks. One rescue was fine when we adopted her. Then developed fear. I try not to reinforce it by saying, "it's ok..." But that has not worked. I've tried ignoring it, distraction, etc. Thundershirt works for one of my dogs. But he still goes into the walk-in closet when it starts...
5
Nothing works. My otherwise fearless terrier is terrified by fireworks. But I’m not thrilled by them, either. It’s 3:30 a.m. as I write this and somebody in my neighborhood just set off an explosion. Now, I ask you, is this acceptable or even an expression of patriotism? I don’t think so. War is trauma, and this day is trauma not just for dog lovers, but for anybody who dislikes gratuitous bellicosity.
26
Fireworks should be illegal in residential areas. Problem solved.
37
Some of us live in “non residential “ areas; problem NOT solved. PS My Golden Retriever definitely has benefitted from a Thundersirt.
My dog gets terrified of even the fireworks you can hear only in the distance!
2
Hank, I agree,
1
I think it would have been more useful if the author actually described what, exactly, relaxation training is so that those of us who didn't see the poster can try it.
10
I live at the inopportune juncture of three communities which hold their fireworks on different nights. One of them is a country club across the street.
I close the windows and I sing to the dogs from the first second through the big finish. I have a terrible voice and I make up songs with their names repeated over and over. I think they’re so riveted by the oddity that they pay more attention to the weirdo in their midst than the fireworks.
This year I left the windows open and they were largely impervious; I guess they just associate fireworks with the Bonnie and Hailey songbook now.
8
Best solution is leaving home with the dogs and vacationing in a no fireworks area. Currently the dogs and I are enjoying a fireworks free mountain vacation.
13
For the past few weeks our area has been preparing for the 4th of July celebrations. We live 1.5 miles from Parkland, the location where students were murdered in February of this year. There have been a few calls for people to please not use fireworks so the victims don’t have to relive the sound again and again. Our area is also home to several barns not counting all the family pets who are just horrified of these loud fireworks, including my 2 cocker spaniels. If people are so into the holiday why not start by respecting where they live and know that fireworks is money wasted that could be used for greater things in our community. Some of the louder fireworks started yesterday.
14
CBD oil works wonders for my Standard Poodle who is not a fan of thunder storms or fireworks.
Why any living creature should like fireworks is beyond me. Dogs are just more rational.
20
If your dog fears fireworks get a King Charles spaniel. They are fearless,
When the aliens come, and they read this article, they will think the dogs are in charge, rather than humans.
5
I’ve had dogs all my life and some literally cower in the corner until the juvenile lauches are over and others don’t seem to mind... I also have a bunch of combat vet friends who leave town for the fourth and it’s not to celebrate but to remove themselves from an experience they don’t want to re live .... those of you who must celebrate with the biggest and baddest available might want to consider that and if not be prepared for the consequences of a vet doing something you may not enjoy. Peace
14
Great comment. Thank you.
1
For noise related anxiety, such as fireworks or thunderstorms, I would gently massage my Schnauzer on her shoulders and back. I would not pet her nor give her treats, as these would reinforce her fear and anxiety, making it worse. It did not ameliorate all of her anxiety, but it was a big improvement over anything else.
6
I give them a special treat after the fireworks are over.
They then associate fireworks with the treat and just fixate on the treat. One of my dogs hides under the bed during the noise but as soon as it’s over she’s out with tail wagging expecting her reward.
4
We had to get anti anxiety medication from the veterinarian because our dog had a really bad reaction the first year we had her. From that time on every 4th of July we gave them to her and she was well relaxed. We had tried everything else but that was the only thing that actually worked.
5
Be careful to find out which sedative your vet prescribes!
Too often older vets use Acepromazine. While “Ace” definitely has its place in veterinary medicine, it should NOT be used as a single therapy to help cats or dogs through fearful or anxiety-inducing experiences.
This is because acepromazine does little to nothing to help mitigate the fear and anxiety that these suffering pets experience from fireworks and thunderstorms.
What it does do though, and do well, is make them UNABLE TO MOVE AND/OR EXHIBIT ANY OF THE OTHER OUTWARD SIGNS OF THEIR FEAR AND ANXIETY.
Ace is kind of like a “chemical straightjacket” in these instances.
And as if that wouldn’t be bad enough, Ace CAN ACTUALLY INCREASE A PET’S SENSITIVITY TO NOISES! Given that fireworks and thunderstorm phobias are, at their core, noise phobias, you can see where this would definitely not be a desirable effect for the drug being used presumably to treat these conditions.
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/why-you-shouldnt-use-acepromazine-for...
Imagine being given an IV medication that paralyzes you. You can’t move...not even blink.
Succinylcholine is such a medication and like Ace used to cause short-term paralysis as part of general anesthesia.
Your pup may look calm, but they are UNABLE to move! Airlines no longer allow a caged dog in cargo be given Ace. If there is a crash and must get the dogs out--they simply cannot move! They are freaking out, yet can’t run to safety.
A vet that was subbing for my regular vet, gave me ace for my cardigan corgi during the fireworks this 4th. I questioned her as I remember it being used as a tranquilizer for my horse. I did use it last night, half dose in pill form, and her reaction was just like you said. I will never use it again.
Thunder shirt and a long car ride in the country with ac on and the radio loud sounds a lot better!
Where I live, the shooting off of fireworks in neighborhoods is supposed to be illegal.
So on numerous occasions, I have asked my local police to send the worst offenders in my neighborhood to prisons and reform schools where hopefully they can be instructed about good manners and leaving good people and good dogs alone.
To date, I have enjoyed no success, but that won't prevent me tonight from continuing my quest for peace and quiet for Kota, the very good dog in the picture here.
20
Behave as if there is no problem,do not even make eye contact, Dogs don't understand consolation. In other words consolation is a reinforcement for their anxiety. If you behave like it's all good dogs often will base their response from this modeling behavior. Kids as well. Worth a try for certain.
8
"Dogs don't understand consolation" - that may be true, or it may not; you have no way of knowing. But an animal doesn't have to understand consolation in order to benefit from it. Dogs can accept love, and love proferred to counter anxiety is a form of consolation.
27
With negative consequences as the result of their reinforcement learning. Timing is important, positive results paramount.
I’ve trained service dogs, rescue and recover dogs, police dogs, military dogs and I have NEVER heard such codswallop!
Don’t make eye contact?
Let’s move into the 21st century please.
This from the Auburn Vet college:
"Any dog owner will tell you that their pet is more than capable of making their needs known through a judicious look, “speaking” to their owners through eye contact to ask for food, HELP, or back scratches.
This connection is more than just visual, too. A study in 2015 found that MUTUAL GAZING BETWEEN DOGS AND HUMANS INCREASES OUR OXYTOCIN LEVELS; A HORMONE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIAL BONDING.
It USED to be taught not to make eye contact or stare--act of aggression. Yes we STILL see this in wolves — the dog’s closest relative and an animal that has never been domesticated — notably don’t look to humans for help.
Communicate with your pup--bond with them. I’ll lie on the floor for hours just looking at a new puppy’s face and eyes. I’m non=threatening and we’re learning to trust each other.
1
I’m not advocating anyone do this, but simply want to present a piece of anecdotal evidence about my dog from about 25 years ago. I’ve had and have dogs pretty much my whole life. The dog I’m writing about here was a male German Shorthair Pointer named Mercury. Mercury was a family pet and tended to dislike loud noises. He tolerated most foreign situations.
As a family we took him to a fireworks show one year. Everything was okay before the fireworks started. Getting to the fireworks involved trekking about a mile or so from the parking area to audience gathering area along the shores of the Bay. Once the fireworks started, I can say that no amount of comforting seemed to keep Mercury calm. For the first 10 minutes I literally thought he was going to dig a trench with his frantic attempts to get away. We made it through the fireworks show, being yelled at by people around us, accusing me of all sorts of dastardly things. It was horrible. I don’t know which was worse the people yelling at me, or the torture the dog was experiencing. Mercury couldn’t hide and I couldn’t easily leave the scene with him.
By the end, Mercury had settled down. As we had to tromped our way back through the thronging masses of people and finally through a “garden of firecrackers and a explosive devices” tossed by strangers and seemingly random intervals. By then Mercury walked at the end of the leash about as calmly as ever. I’ve never sought to repeat the situation.
10
Immersion therapy of sorts. Not always "pretty" but clearly can be effective.
"By then Mercury walked at the end of the leash about as calmly as ever."
More likely deafened by the noise. That wasn't conditioning. It had to have been torture, if not painful, for the dog given their heightened sense of sound. I'm surprised there was no consideration for that.
10
I made your same mistake with my German Shorthair puppy Heidi but she ended up neurotic all her 12 years; I have always blamed myself. Now I learn I wasn’t the only one to do such a crazy thing. Poor Heidi;RIP.
2
Lately, I’m swearing by CBD oil. My neighborhood’s firework season really starts at Memorial Day and can end as late as late October given the Dodgers’ playoff performance. One of my three is reduced to a quaking, panting, pacing mess unless I put him through my firework regimen: hourlong evening walk, Thundershirt dabbed with lavender essential oil, a dose of CBD oil, and the TV blaring and A/C on full blast to drown out some of the outside noises. He slept through almost everything last night.
7
CBD oil - the aloe vera of the 2000's.
1
As a lifelong dog owner and fervent dog lover I can tell you confidently that this article is off the mark. A number of things in it are correct, e. g., thunder shirts sometimes do some good, a calm and reassuring response by the owners is always a good idea, but for the really hard cases of fire works and thunderstorm terror in dogs only one thing really works: Alprazolam.
Or,by it’s more familiar name, Xanax.
A small dose of this anti-anxiety drug will calm your dog within fifteen to twenty minutes and allow the poor animal some peace. Several trusted and competent vets I know endorse and prescribe this medication because it works. No responsible owners want their dog to become a junkie, but this med doesn’t have that effect at all; it just alleviates the terror the animal is experiencing.
I personally don’t like to be terrified; I’ll bet you don’t either.
40
One of our dogs was absolutely terrified of both fireworks AND storms. We had to watch weather reports like a hawk to make sure we got him drugged up before storms hit. He would throw himself out a window to escape if no one was home or he would claw us up if we were home. NOTHING but drugs would help. Fortunately the pair we have now don't care.
I watched the NYC fireworks from several blocks back from the water in Long Island City last year. I found that my ears were sore after the show and remained so the next day. There is really no need for the loud bombs that are actually added to fireworks that would otherwise be fairly quiet.
44
I have 3 dogs who sensitive to loud noises. We prepare them by closing the house, putting them in our room with loud soothing music on the TV and the fan/air conditioner on. Works like a charm every time. I don’t think trying to comfort them is wise; in ‘dog world’, that is really just reinforcing the behavior. Prevention is best - for you and them - just try to block the noise and don’t let them get worked up.
39
This method also works for me!
We live where fireworks are permitted on July 4 & 5th and we live on a private stretch of beach. Our neighbors' boys start letting off what sounds like TNT from around the 1st to the 5th so our 8 year old Great Pyrenees is a drooling basket case by the 4th. We have tried every "cure" known to man and nothing helps. We set up a "cave " in our closet with a thick quilt hanging from the rail and she cowers behind that with music playing at fairly high decibels and a noisy fan going full blast. It helps her a little. I honestly feel like dragging the boys in by the scruff of their neck to witness what they are doing to our dog... I have come to detest 4th of July and New Years Eve.
133
JMR, I feel the same way -- hate the fireworks holidays. I live in an area where fireworks are legal, and people seem to have an unlimited budget to blow. We've already had four nights of them. How does that make the actual holiday special?
My horses are so terrified that years ago I gave up and began boarding them in a fireworks-free area. Much less anxiety for all of us. My fearful dog retreats to the safety of her indoor crate and copes until one neighbor begins shooting off the loudest fireworks known to humankind.
Often here in Texas, the grass is parched, and the fireworks cause wildfires. But what did the geniuses in our state legislature do a few years ago? Added to the holidays when it it's legal to sell fireworks. Of course they did.
85
Poor girl. :(
I absolutely dread what the noise is going to do to my “Bullwinkle” (Chi/terrier mix) today. The neighborhood ones started up last night and he spent the night buried under three comforters on the floor of my closet. He gets absolutely terrified and ends up not eating for days. Tonight will most definitely be worse. I have tried every remedy, as well. Breaks my heart.
1
Listening to the Boston Pops play the 1812 Overture is one of the great urban traditions. The louder the cannons the better. I run with the dog before getting on the subway and I run when I get home. But in between it’s my hometown, Tcaikovsky and me.
I've had many dogs, a couple with thunderstorm anxiety, a few who did not like fireworks. I had one dog who was severely afraid of fireworks. I had another dog who sometimes had a seizure when a storm was coming. So, I don't think it is always just fear, but is sometimes a physical thing.
I try to comfort my dogs when they show fear and anxiety. I don't try to cure them.
I live in a place where people can shoot off residential fireworks, and it literally sounds like a battleground around the 4th of July. This is an extremely dangerous time for dogs who are freaked out by fireworks. It is very common for scared dogs to run away from home around the 4th of July. These dogs should be kept inside for the period in question.
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I've had dogs all my life, starting at age 9 with a rescued shelter dog.
NONE has ever had thunder anxiety. I know it is real, I've had enough friends with dogs who have it....but never known anyone with a dog with true fireworks fear/ panic.
I'm not trying to start anything but have to wonder how much the owners feed into it with anxiety and fear or the expectation that the dog will panic when hearing fireworks?
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I live in an area where fireworks are legal on the 4th (doesn't stop people from putting them up other times). My dog has no real issues with thunder, but when the fireworks start booming he loses his mind. We do everything to keep him calm--we use calming treats, we take him to the dog park, we give him things to keep him occupied--and he'll still bark all night long at the booms.
A local pet recently made the news for busting through a glass door when home alone and fireworks went off. (Pet is okay.)
It's a real thing.
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You may have a point about owners' transference but I own 3 Great Pyrenees - two of them do not blink an eye but the third one hides in my closet. Like humans, some dogs have neuroses and some don't and even a calm and non-indulgent owner cannot help.
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I concur that this is not owner feed-in. We had three collies once. Two of them were completely blase about the noise. The third, who was the youngest, was so terrified that he tore the sturdy kennel gate completely off the hinges. Every 4th after that, knowing his fear, we kept him inside, but he never got over it
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