Fireworks With Dogs

[tinkerbell23]

Has anyone tried the calming plug ins?

X

[Buenchico]

There are 990 reviews on Amazon, with many people declaring the product to be a miracle but with plenty of others saying that it didn't work for their own dogs:
http://tinyurl.com/zwpb9m6

Interestingly though, neither the Kennel Club
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/kennel-club-campaigns/fireworks/
nor the RSPCA
https://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232734741469&mode=prd
mention it among their lists of strategies for helping dogs.

However the Blue Cross people do reckon that it's worth a try:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/dogs-and-fireworks-how-keep-your-dog-happy-during-fireworks-season

[Cloverjo]

I'm looking after a dog over Christmas and New Year's Eve. She freaked out a bit over the fireworks last time I had her, so will look into those links. Thanks, Buenchico.

Sorry, tinkerbell, I don't know what the plugins for dogs are.

[Old_Geezer]

I reckon some must be plugging them into the wrong part of the dog.

[Ratty2E]

Didn't work for mine with separation anxiety. I also tried a spray version in the car for one that hated car journeys, that didn't work either. I have heard some quite good reviews for thunder shirts, not tried it though.
http://www.thundershirt.co.uk/

[woofgang]

they plug in or the spray didn't work for mine. The only thing I have found that helps and is non prescription is melatonin. They are still scared but not terrified, mind you they are very firework and weather sensitive.

[pastafreak]

Someone gave me an Anxiety Wrap,which has helped Sally somewhat...she stays by me rather than dissappear into a dark room,and she pants and paces less.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[pastafreak]

I also use Pet Remedy Calming Spray...

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Cloverjo]

Pastafreak, I'm interested in trying that spray for when I'm looking after the dog at New Year's Eve. But I'd like to know, can you smell it yourself?

I don't like strong smells. They give me a headache worse than the dog's barking, although I'd rather the dog was happy.

[RATTER15]

I think the best way to solve these problems is with training. We specifically trained our hounds to be calm around noises by introducing them to noisy situations as pups, gradually at first. All part of the Animal Assisted Therapy work they are used for.

We can now take out hounds to firework displays where they lie down and sleep.

Possibly not so easy with older dogs but still achievable in most cases.

[pastafreak]

Clover...it's based on valerian,and yes it does stink...but only for a few minutes. It also makes one of my cats go doolally...it works like catnip on her.

[Cloverjo]

Thanks, pasta. I've just ordered some. I hope it works on New Year's Eve. The poor dog went crazy last year.

[paddywak]

I agree with Ratter,all our dogs were introduced to noisy situation from the start,gun shots,reving motor bikes etc and all grew up without any fear of sudden and loud noises.

[woofgang]

Actually RATTER, while training may be the best way of solving the problem, for many dogs is doesn’t work. If it did, there would be no gun shy gundogs for instance. I have had my boys since they were seven weeks old. Did all the right things with them and still they are weather and firework sensitive. The sound discs don’t work because they can tell the difference between real and recorded storms and fireworks. I have said it before but one of the favourite dogbeds in my house is right next to the large TV. Whoever has it will sleep through war films, televised storms and just about anything but one distant firework that I may not hear will wake them both and one of them can actually predict a storm coming and knows better than the met office whether it will pass over us or pass clear. If you haven’t ever experienced it then you won’t understand.
I have said it before and will say again
Fear of fireworks and storms is NOT ALWAYS because of bad or no training.
Its NOT because the owner is cared and passes the fear to the dogs
Its NOT because the owner makes a fuss and makes the dog think there is something to be scared of.
Training and gentle desensitisation will work for some dogs but by no means for all.

[woofgang]

paddywak so were mine......if you haven’t experienced dogs for whom this doesn’t work then both of you are lucky indeed.

[RATTER15]

I know it doesnt work with all dogs and I didnt say it did, but many gun shy dogs have been trained to turn into great gun dogs.

There will always be dogs that just wont respond to training as other dogs do.

[woofgang]

"Possibly not so easy with older dogs but still achievable in most cases.”

Do you know how annoying it is when you have dogs who have problems that cannot be resolved by “training” to hear such carp spouted? The issue is not that the dogs don’t respond to training, by which I guess you mean desensitisation, the issue is that they have a problem that training cannot solve.

I wouldn’t wish the problem on any dog but I wish I really wish that people who say “oh training fixes it” “never had a problem with my dogs” "Its the owner making a fuss” “its the owner passing their fear onto the dog” could experience what its like to have a beloved terrified animal that cannot be helped in anyway (and believe me I have tried) except by medication.

[RATTER15]

Woofgang, I think you need to stop being so defensive, I said "most dogs" not all. You may think I'm talking "carp" but I have been involved with dogs and their training for many years as well and worked with many many gun dogs.

Just because some don't get the required results from their training methods for one reason or another is not my fault.

[woofgang]

RATTER I am not being defensive I am being aggressive

[RATTER15]

Woof, If I throw you a bone will you be more approachable. Now go and lie in your basket.

[Tilly2]

Fortunately, Tilly doesn't get frightened by fireworks, loud noise or thunder. However, I have had a dog, in the past, who would try to climb up the walls and bite his way through the skirting boards during thunderstorms and the firework season. The calming plug ins didn't work, neither did tranquilising drugs. They only thing we could do was close the curtains and put Pink Floyd records on as loud as we could bear. That helped a bit.

It is a nightmare for both dogs and owners. I shall be having my usual complaint discussion with the manager of Sainsbury's as soon as they start selling fireworks :-)