Canine crisis

[Colin_S]

Looking for some inside help from the canine and possibly the feline fraternity. Ships Woofy - here boy!

My dog is scared sh*tless by fireworks. As I type there are loud bangs outside at a rate on one every 5 or 10 seconds. Earlier this evening he tried to dig an escape hole in the bathroom carpet - seriously. He's now ensconced in a tight corner as far away from the noise as he can get. Tomorrow we've been invited out to a firework party but it looks like one of us will need to stay and keep an eye on him.
So what to do?

See the vet and get him some happy pills - trouble is the local firework 'season' lasts about 6 weeks plus Xmas, New Year and a dozen or so birthdays, etc.

Kill or cure - tie him to the washing pole tomorrow. I reckon he'll pull that out of the ground in blind panic.

Looks like I'm destined to spend tomorrow evening with my fingers in his ears unless you know better.

The real irony of the situation is that his ancestors include many champion gundogs!

Wonder if any pet store do doggy walkmans.

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[Phoenix of Hamble]

Colin,

I can sympathise.. my dog has spent most of the evening on my knees trembling....

I feel sorry for her... she's genuinely terrified... not lot you can do is there, short of loud telly, and plenty of comfort and kindness.....

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[gonad]

tranquilisers! they work.

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[ShipsDog]

Loud music .. I like anything by the Bonzo Dog Dooda Band

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[Colin_S]

My dog prefers TV to music, he's a big fan of Porridge and Open all Hours /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Spuddy]

Ours is highly strung collie and has a real fit of the vapours at thunder, the local firing range and fireworks. The memsahb is currently trying homeopathy and rescue remedies - don't seem to have an effect to me - oh yes, also aromatherapy which was a plug in container simulating the smell of lactating bitches.
I reckon knock out drops from the vet to give the girl some peace would be better.

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[BrendanS]

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet problems/dogs/fearsandphobias.html

do a search on
cure dog frightened firework
in google, for loads of reading

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Shakey]

The aromatherapy plug-in thing is sold as D.A.P. aka Dog Appeasing Pheromone.

It's not cheap either, costs about £20 a pop.

Might be too late to for it to have any effect though, and the extreme reaction of the dog might overcome the benefits.

I agree that some doggy benzodiazepines are the best bet.

A psychological approach would be to put the dog with other dogs who couldn't give a monkey's about loud bangs. The dog would then 'learn' from the other dogs' behaviour. Or have a heart attack in the process.....

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Fortunately all of our cats and dogs have not had a problem with fireworks - real Ships_Cat doesn't take any notice - another dog, many years ago, used to get its whiskers burnt off he was so keen on them.

First real BIG rule - when your dog is frightened of the fireworks and cowers, whines, etc. do not ever comfort or pat him, etc in any way at all. You are only rewarding him for his behaviour and he will think that the behaviour is what he is supposed to do. I think you will find every dog trainer will say the same.

Just be calm yourself and carry on as usual with your own activities - if the dog is in a panic or causing pawing damage or whatever, lock him up, preferably in a place which is known to him - some dogs get crate trained and if so that would likely be ideal. Do not reward him for being frightened - else he will think he is supposed to be frightened.

It is too late now to solve the problem for this year. The usual solution is, as far as I am aware, to train the dog by over weeks gradually getting him used to the explosive noises. I understand that you can get tapes/CD's of loud noises, including fireworks, which you can just start off with quietly and then gradually increase the level over weeks so the dog gets used to it. I have not tried this - our current dog does not have a problem with fireworks.

My grandfather was a gundog breeder, and while my memory is pretty hazy cos I was just a kid and I am a long way past being one now, as best I can remember he used to expose the puppies to gunshots (the noise not the pellets ) from a very early age. Don't know what the current practice of breeders is but I would assume a gradual introduction to the noise.

John



<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[plombier]

Advice from "The Management" [grrrrr] (who just happens to be a vet). Don't whatever you do don't use the words "It's alright" or "Don't worry" because said hound will know it's not and will more so.

It may be difficult but the best thing is to ignore the dog and don't make a fuss of it.


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[Shakey]

<when your dog is frightened of the fireworks and cowers, whines, etc. do not ever comfort or pat him, etc in any way at all. You are only rewarding him for his behaviour and he will think that the behaviour is what he is supposed to do>

I agree. But I suppose I would 'cos that ties in with what I said about putting the dog in with other dogs that are unfazed by noise.

The dog will learn from the behaviour of those around it, with other dogs being the best teachers. Gradual exposure to noise, coupled with praising it when it doesn't flinch and ignoring it when it does should do the trick. Well that's the theory anyway!

In reality it will take about what? Errr, six months or so?

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.

 

[poter]

Colin,
your pooch looks like a Labrador, we got one of them & they are cowards.
ours dont even like the Washing machine going & he is 7 years- 40 kilos.

Best of luck we will also be home with the Dog giving him tea & bisquits.

poter.

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[longjohnsilver]

Mine's exactly the same; I plan to turn on both the tv and radio both v loud to disguise the firework noises.

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[Colin_S]

The strange thing with our dog is that he's gone downhill over the years. When he was young I can remember walking him one night when there were fireworks going off and talking with another dog owner who was telling me how scared her dog was. Mine didn't even notice them. Two days ago, at exactly the same location, a couple of fireworks went off and he shot off towards the road where I had parked. By the time I got to a position where I could see the road I spotted him (not easy with a black lab in the dark) running up and down a line of parked cars looking for ours. Luckily, as he went around the parked motors, he never went fully into the road and cars that did pass spotted him and slowed down.

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[Twister_Ken]

Get rid of the dog.

When my last dog died (years ago) we didn't replace her. I thought I would miss having a dog, actually after a month or so I realised how liberating it is.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Colin_S]

Re: Get rid of the dog.

Luckily we've got neighbours who get really upset when they have to give our dog back..........

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[Ships_Cat]

How old is he - in the photo looks like he has some greying around the mouth so if so must be middle aged or more? The "Can't teach old dogs new tricks" bit might then come into curing him but it is surprising what they will do if they realise it makes you happy.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I can't come to you, I am cowering like every sensible canine under the stairs.

The world is ending, it's all over I tell ya....

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Sensible now.

This year is pretty weird in these parts, NW cheshire. There has been almost no firework activity thus far. Usually I am a prisoner in the house protecting the dogs from themselves. My bitch who died last year was the worst and would often set my dog off in a frenzy at the first bang.

I don't know if the rozzers have clamped down in these parts or the shops are being more careful who they sell to, this year has been bliss. Although I have still been a prisoner waiting for the fireworks, even though they are not happening.

If you do go to the vet and pick up some happy pills, remember it drops the dogs body temperature, so put him next to a radiator or throw a blanket over him to keep him warm.

Want to see what a maddened staffy does on Guy Fawkes, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/Guyfawkes01.html>Click Here</A>

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[Ships_Cat]

By the look of your grey snout you must be about 90.

Also, it is safe to come out from under the stairs now, your NZ visitor has gone /forums/images/icons/smile.gif. "Come on out, nice doggy."

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.