Fireworks and dogs

[Scott R]

What are you people doing? My 90lb lab is a mess, my 60lb pitt is in terror too. Its all my neighbors lighting of motors. I've given them the vet provided tranqs but they are not working.

I can move them into the survival shelter, but they still have to go out to do their business. Suggestions?

[javadog]

I used to play music to try and drown out the firework noise. I also used to pay visits to my neighbors that were shooting the really loud ones to remind them that they were illegal and should go somewhere else to do that crap.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by javadog

I used to play music to try and drown out the firework noise. I also used to pay visits to my neighbors that were shooting the really loud ones to remind them that they were illegal and should go somewhere else to do that crap.

I'm playing Pink Floyd The Delicate Sound of Thunder, maybe I should switch to UmmaGumma.

[island911]

Originally Posted by javadog

I used to play music to try and drown out the firework noise. ..

This ^

And see your veterinarian for some doggy downers.

[Steve Carlton]

I touched base with my vet because one of my dogs shivers with fireworks. He said I could use the Tramadol I have to kill pain on another dog and to experiment with the dosage. He also said music with a lot of bass helps a lot.

[aigel]

My dogs look for birds dropping that they need to retrieve!

All my dogs, including non hunting dogs are trained to not be noise shy. You can read up on it - generally start immediately when they come home as a pup - banging around during feeding times, then play times with increasing noise level, so the dog learns that bangs are good or at least nothing to worry about.

My old dog can't hear much anymore. I estimate 5000 rounds going off over her head in her 13 years of life. My younger one perks up when there is a shot or fireworks, hoping we join in!

I am sorry for the dogs who are firework / gun shy. I would try to work with them every day to see if it can't be dampened, much like you work a pup. Most old dogs do learn new tricks. The key would be to step it up extremely slowly not to make matters worse. Work on it every day of the year, not just in July.

Good Luck tomorrow you pooches and owners!

[Steve Carlton]

Ellie is 10 years old now. I got her when she was a puppy as a gift for my ex and had her flown up to Spokane from Oakland. When she arrived, the crate had a huge dent in it. I can't imagine how much force was needed to accomplish that, but I assume that trauma made her skittish. I think she bonded with me during the short time I had her before sending her to Spokane, as she never really bonded with my ex. My ex later moved back in with me and a breakthrough occurred and Ellie licked my face for 10 minutes straight. My ex ultimately abandoned her when she moved on, and the trust has grown over the years. She's still a little aloof, but very sweet. I know this is a unique situation, but I would never in a million years try to condition her to loud noises. I'll dose her with narcotics. My other three dogs do okay on the 4th. She looks wary in this picture, but she's not. She's a sweetheart and the other dogs love her as well as I.

[Bill Douglas]

I bought a Thundershirt for Big. Fireworks really upset him. As it turned out he became quite deaf and I haven't need the Thundershirt as he sleeps through the fireworks.

But you could google for reviews if you are curious.

[sc_rufctr]

[KFC911]

All of my dogs have been oblivious to fireworks, and a neighbor two doors down used to shoot off professional grade stuff a few times each year, worthy of a small town's show .... I could FEEL the percussion stuff sitting on my on my deck. I'd try that thundershirt thing mebbe.... good luck!

Give 'em better drugs along with the music.... Oooo... Ohhh.... Oh Wow .

There's a SRV album that has a dog bark at the lead in to one of the songs. I don't speak dawg, but that bark used to ALWAYS set one of my previous Labs off... high alert mode .

Good luck tonight!

[stevej37]

[GH85Carrera]

We live about 1.6 miles as a the fireworks fly from an amusement park. They set off fire works on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week. During a regular week in the summer, they do it every Saturday night. Our dogs grew up with the noise, and our female ignores it totally. Our male in recent years has acted a bit concerned. He developed a hate of thunderstorms as well. He does not freak, but he wants to be right next to us or in a lap.

[lsf911]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

^^^I love this photo! Solves the noise problem too

[URY914]

Why has this become such a problem these days? Seems like 20 years ago it was not. Now its every where, the local news talks about it, all over the internet, new products to help. Just seems like it gets talked about a lot more now.

[Baz]

[craigster59]

My Lab is fine, he will sometimes pop his head up after a big "BOOM!" but generally doesn't get too bothered.

Saw this today and had to chuckle, a little levity for those with dogs that suffer...

[island911]

LMAO ^

So true.

[id10t]

Dog has no problem when the neighbors are shooting etc about 1/4 mile away. But that is sporadic, doesn't last that long, and isn't exactly varied.

With 6 nearby places popping stuff off last night (and good ones too) she was a tad concerned, but just needed a little love and reassurance and then she passed out snoring at the foot of the bed.

[p911dad]

We hit the Trifecta last night. Strong thunderstorms took out the power for the evening and then we had fireworks in out neighborhood for what seemed like forever. Our pup went into her hidey-hole for the duration.

[aigel]

Not sure if it is more prevalent than it used to be? Is it possible that there are a lot more toy breeds and weird mixes like the labradoodles that are bred without concern for toughness and a sound mind?

The other possibility is that people care more what their dogs do? Back in the day I am sure dogs would go in hiding in their dog house and many owners would shrug it off.