Fireworks and dogs

huskydog
huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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edited October 2016 in Your Pets #1

Thought i might be usefull to have a thread to share tips on how we can make it less stressfull for our dogs (and other pets) over firework weekend

 

We have found that if we ignore any sounds and just sit and do our normals things then our dog seems to be ok .

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Comments

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited October 2016 #2

    Nice one Husky - I believe in ignoring a lot - strangely enough the other day I went outside to end of the garden with the dogs not realising the local shoot was shooting in the next door field.  One of my dogs the lab gets paranoid usually and I turned to say something only to find her sniffing at something so I kept my mouth shut and carried on getting closer to them.  I find it really hard to believe she appeared not to notice them at all yet I have known her have a seizure when they are about - as for fireworks!.......  Volume up on the TV if I am in the caravan - can't hear anything from home luckily - but I must check with the neighbours they haven't planned anything this year. 

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited October 2016 #3

    With nervous Dogs or Dogs that have had a bad experience if they're to be left on their own try-in the room they sleep in close blinds & any light sources to cut out the flashes, leave radio on to help mask any noises.

  • KASTARIS
    KASTARIS Forum Participant Posts: 410
    edited October 2016 #4

    I agree Husky although she never seemed that bothered she would bark on occasion and her one eye was always open and ear pricked up so you knew deep down she was trying to control her fear..the fact that we were not stressing and acting normal helped. But
    oddly if on a walk she was fine totally ignoring the sights and sounds as if she felt less threatened being outside on a lead with me on the end watching was was going on. Our other Staffie used to love fireworks she would sit by the window watching them go
    boom tara up in the air.

  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
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    edited October 2016 #5

    We are very lucky. Scooby does not mind fireworks, but we still shut all the curtains and Windows and turn up the tele. Before we had her, the breeder, Rachael, used to play a CD to all the pups with all common household sounds. Scoob still hates the cleaner!

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #6

    Do all the things mentioned beforehand, then go to Church each day for a week previous and pray for heavy rain.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #7

    We wouldnt mind if it was one or two nights around  Nov. 5th but sometimes we hear fireworks for the best part of a fortnight. (Dads Great Dane used to lie in the corner with paws over her ears and whine, think the noise hurt her ears rather than it being
    intimidating. She didnt like thunder either)

  • KASTARIS
    KASTARIS Forum Participant Posts: 410
    edited October 2016 #8

    Do all the things mentioned beforehand, then go to Church each day for a week previous and pray for heavy rain.

    Write your comments here...    Laughing 

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited October 2016 #9

    my bitch is not gunshy, I can shoot shotgun or rimfire over her and she does not flinch BUT she hates fireworks....go figure

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited October 2016 #10

    My suggestion would be to ban fireworks.......what on earth is happening when explosive devices can be freely sold to members of the public, and very often to children.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #11

    My suggestion would be to ban fireworks......

    If only Ian, if only

  • fur ball
    fur ball Forum Participant Posts: 155
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    edited October 2016 #12

    I don't have a dog but I'd vote to ban them.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited October 2016 #13

    Our first firework night ever with Alfie, so quite dreading it. When out on a lead, he doesn't take any notice of them, however a few have gone off tonight and brought a few growls out of him......Undecided

  • yetisdad
    yetisdad Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited October 2016 #14

    I don't have a dog but I'd vote to ban them.

    Dogs or Fireworks?  Undecided

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited October 2016 #15

    do not comfort him, you will only feed the belief that there is something to be bothered about.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #16

    With you on that one Ian, hate the blasted things. And New Year, Eidd, Diwali all seem to require lots of noise and loud bangs, in day time as well! What's all that about???

    We had Airedale Terriers for years, all have been totally terrified of fireworks, we have had to do the lot, loud music, constant reassurance, sedatives from vets, etc..... So stressful for them and us. 

    Two rehomed Labradors now. Never bat an eyelid, don't even care if one goes off and we are out on a walk. 

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited October 2016 #17

    I don't see the point in them.

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited November 2016 #18

    I don't see the point in them.

    No I don't see the point in dogs either!

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #19

    I don't see the point in them.

    No I don't see the point in dogs either!

    Happy

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited November 2016 #20

    neither did I until I got one

     

    back on topic. With a bit of luck my bitch will be that tired on sat evening having enjoyed our first game shoot of the season that she won't even notice the fireworks

  • Jennyeb
    Jennyeb Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited November 2016 #21

    My Lab is absolutely terrified of fireworks... it would a disaster if I happen to be on site!! He would wreck the van.. I have tried everything with him. I'm dreading Saturday night

    Don't cry

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited November 2016 #22

    During our dog's evening walk last night, there were many fireworks being let off.  While the dog was aware of the noise, he was not in any way distracted or stressed. Since he was a puppy he has been introduced to sudden noise both through close proximity
    to drums and other band instruments and the sounds of various motor bikes.  So fireworks noise is not something that is not so far removed.

    As a caring dog owner I would never insist that the dog go into an environment which would cause the dog any distress.  So may his self confidence around fireworks and enjoyment of his  walks continue .

    Cheers. . K

     

     

     

     

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #23

    Due to the very high decibals of some fireworks our dogs went from confident around noise ( gun fire never bothered them due to rough shooting nearby) to becoming very distressed. Sadly, in their old age, they have both gone deaf and I think for the first time we won't see them react too badly. However we have a boisterous family nearby who will probably let off some mega watt fireworks so I shall see how we get on tonight. Undecided

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited November 2016 #24

    Just been outside in the garden people next door having a party my pup came to see what was going on he sat beside me he was watching in amazement we where there a good 10 minutes until he got bored. 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited November 2016 #25

    My son's dog is frantic this year - and the only thing he can do to keep the dog at all relaxed is to drive him around with the radio on loudly in the car.  He's currently looking for somewhere without fireworks in the immediate area - but it's hopeless
    - they're everywhere. 

    We used to have to give our dog tranquillizers - otherwise she was a nightmare, and one day she bolted when we went to a knock on the door - and we went out looking for her.  About half an hour later we had a call from the local service station who had found
    her and they'd put her in their internal storeroom where she was reasonably quiet, and calmed down enough for them to look at her collar and find a telephone number.

    I think KennyG's idea is a good one - take them out with you when they are tiny puppies so that they see there is nothing at all to worry about.

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited November 2016 #26

    I didn't actually take him out he came out on his own and sat beside me. 

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited November 2016 #27

    Luckily our dog isn't worried by the fireworks ,  at the moment he is  curled up in his bed,  fast asleep. But thunder is a different matter, gets very stressed. 

  • JCB4X4
    JCB4X4 Forum Participant Posts: 466
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    edited November 2016 #28

    Connie, our 2 year old Rough Collie is at present sitting outside of the back door, totally unfazed by the noise, in fact to some extent she is somewhat entranced by the spectacle. We have never owned nor did we ever expect to own such laid-back dog.  All
    of our other dogs have displayed anything from mild anxiety to absolute terror at this time of year and our heartfelt sympathy’s go out to all animals and their owners suffering such stress.          

  • JCB4X4
    JCB4X4 Forum Participant Posts: 466
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    edited November 2016 #29

    I have just had to bring Connie inside!  Why?  Because it is now raining heavily here!!  Does she care?  Not one jot!!!

    What a Cool Canine Companion.CoolCoolCool.

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited November 2016 #30

    tonight my bitch is too knackered to care as she has been beating on a shoot all day.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited November 2016 #31

    How'd She do spk?, did the training pay off?Happy