Help Needed Please

[scruffbag]

My dog is frightened of bangs and fireworks and is refusing to go out!!
What would my answer bank friends recommend? She just gets terrified at this time of year. Many thanks in advance.

[woofgang]

Melatonin. Its brilliant stuff and has helped my dogs no end. Its also worth trying a program of desensitisation, but its a bit late to begin this year. Basically you get a CD or download of firework noises and play it very very quietly at some distance from your dog while feeding her treats or playing her favourite game. She should not react to the noise at all if you have got the distance and volume right. VERY SLOWLY you increase the volume and decrease the distance and she should learn that the noises aren't scary. Unfortunately I have got one of the dogs for whom this won't work as he can tell the difference between real and recorded sound. He will sleep through a war film with his head on the tv stand but start to shake on hearing a firework that I can barely hear at all and may not have even noticed.
I am assuming you do all the usual things like making her a den close to you to hide in, playing music or the TV continually, taking her for the last walk of the day early and so on?

[Clanad]

Woof's suggestion is unique… Haven't heard of it before, (I probably slept through it)… on the other hand we've used Benadryl… If you’re skeptical about using Benadryl for dogs make a call your vet which actually you should anytime you are starting a treatment for dog just like you would if you were many give your child a new medication.

Some report good results with the "Thunder Shirts"… seen here:

http://www.thundershirt.com/?gclid=COHewL6bzMgCFQwXHwodCEgCLA

Good luck!

[woofgang]

Which suggestion Clanad? the desensitisation or the melatonin? Melatonin is widely used for pet animals in the US....that's where I got my info from. Its clever stuff. used in dogs, it reduces anxiety without producing dopiness.

An interesting article here with some further links
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/melatonin.htm

[ladybirder]

I endorse Clanad's suggestion of a Thunder Shirt, worked for my dogs. eBay or Amazon will sell them a bit cheaper I think.

[scruffbag]

Many thanks

[scruffbag]

many thanks

[AlwaysConfused]

I've never had an animal afraid of fireworks. I put this down to not reacting to the bang. A lot of humans jump up and immediately run to their pet to check they are ok, thus giving the pet a nervous reaction. I could, however, have just been lucky with the pets I've had

[woofgang]

yup AlwaysConfused you have been very lucky. I used to love storms and enjoy fireworks and have had dogs who didn't give a damn, dogs like my current pair who are literally terrified and dogs who fell somewhere in the middle. Having to deal with dogs who are in blind terror because of thunder or fireworks is no fun at all. I hope your luck holds. If it doesn't please don't adopt the attitude that comforting the dog will make them more fearful, the research shows that it doesn't.
http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/you-cant-reinforce-fear-dogs-and-thunderstorms

[fairycakes69]

Have you tried a Thunder Shirt? I got one couple of years ago, made a huge difference to my dog, least little noise can set him off. Put the shirt on him and is happy sleeping on the floor.
Hope you find something that works for your dog, it's awful seeing what fireworks do do dogs.