Tips On Keeping Your Dog Calm.

[RAINYDAYS]

My dog is so laid back,but when fireworks are being let off & loud bangers.He paces around the living room. We have tried calming tablet from pet shop no use.Any tips would be helpful.

[spathiphyllum]

I think the best thing you can do is try to dampen the noise of the fire works as best you can, and sit with your pet.

Try not to get nervous about your dog being nervous because your dog will sense this. If you stay relaxed and calm hopefully your dog will start to feel that also.

[Ken4155]

My dog won't sit with me when he hears the fireworks going off. Instead, he will find the smallest, darkest space he can wedge himself into. I'm thinking of trying one of those Anti Anxiety coats for him this year. Think they're about a tenner.

[RAINYDAYS]

He does go behind sofa,that seems to help. I will try a anti anxiety coat.Thanks for your tips.

[Ken4155]

Put one of your old cardigans behind the settee with him. It may help him little a little more.

[TonyV]

That's a good idea Ken, hate it when firework night starts on the 1st and finishes sometimes after the 10th.

[Ken4155]

Tony, it's intermittently all year round here. Nowadays people seem to set them off to celebrate birthdays, weddings, passing driving tests, tying one's own shoelaces for the very first time, etc, etc, etc. I've even seen rockets being set off in mid afternoon when there is no chance whatsoever of appreciating their colourful display.

[pastafreak]

I've used Pet Remedy spray. My Sally would pace, pant, dribble and be totally miserable during fireworks and thunderstorms. This spray seemed to help the most. I also tried an an't anxiety coat, that wasn't so successful. Now, at 11+, she doesn't seem bothered. Maybe she's a bit deaf.

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[Tilly2]

Tilly isn't scared of fireworks and they don't bother her, thank goodness. However, one of our previous dogs, a rescue staffie, was terrified of both fireworks and thunderstorms. We used to get tranquilizers from the vets and gave him the minimal dose to keep him a bit calmer. Closing the curtains early and playing some loud music also helped.

We did try those plug in soothing things but they were no help at all.

[woofgang]

If he want to squeeze into a small space then make him a den. Some dogs can be helped by having continuous sound played from a radio or TV to drown out the firework noise. Melatonin can help and can be purchased online but do your research on dosage and so on and find a reliable retailer. You just want the plain one, not the quick acting or slow acting. You can also get advice from your vet who can also prescribe stronger meds if needed. Zylkene which is non prescription has had good reviews, sadly it doesn't work for my dog who has extreme fear. He gets Xanax prescribed from the vet which is strong stuff and prescription only but is the best thing for him. Downside is that he can't have it every day in the season (when did firework night become a "season" for heavens sake) so I can onlu use it when I know things will be bad, for the rest of the time, melatonin helps to take the edge off. If you are going to get vet advice, get it NOW so you have time to put the advice in place, test out any meds and so on.

[RAINYDAYS]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful advice.