Fireworks!

[pitstopbunny]

 I have a 10 year old Airedale terrier - who is petrified of fireworks - so much so that he makes himself physically sick. What is the best thing to do to passify him - bar going to get seditives from the vets? Should I pamper him or ignore him when they start to explode - what is the best road to making the next few weeks as stress free as possible for him?

[maggie01]

It would help if they only went off on Nov 5th but at the first sound of fireworks, we usually draw the curtains and turn the tv volume up slightly so that you can't hear the fireworks so much. I find my two tend to come and sit by me when they hear the fireworks. Maybe if you try to distract him without letting him know you are trying to calm him from the fireworks. If he is really so bad that he is sick it may be worth having a word with your vet. It is not a happy time for pets.

[loopey]

loud music/ t.v and distraction like playing with him definately dont comfort him else he'll think he has something to worry about and it will make him worse, i agree fireworks should only be allowed on the 1 day so us pet owners can be prepared and keep our pets inside.

[shaneystar]

Our dog it barks the place down when the wretched things start.If it was a one off it wouldn't be so bad but it seems to go on for weeks on end.if the dog is really terrified than a sedative may be the only solution.I blagged the following info from Celia Haddon who writes in the telegraph each week.It may be of some help ......

. As Firework day comes only once a year (though it seems now to last about three weeks) drugs without behaviour therapy will help just for this period. Robin Walker, vet and behaviour expert in Worcester, has made a special study of drugs and fear in dogs. He suggests phenobarbitone and propanolol.
You will need to discuss this idea with your vet to see if he will let you try this. Some dogs may not be suitable for this.
and director of the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology. "The phenobarbitone reduces the fear and the propanolol, a beta-blocker, changes the dog�s memory, reducing the post-traumatic effects that have been programmed into the dog�s brain. Your vet will be able to tell if you if these drugs are suitable for your individual dog and will prescribe the right dose. Ordinary tranquillisers don�t have the same effect."
"Once the dog is on this medication, it can go out and about and enjoy its normal life. This means that it begins to learn that fireworks aren�t all that frightening. But it is crucial that the drugs are prescribed before the fear begins, well before the dog hears the first firework."

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/animals.html

[Eels]

Basically, you're waaaay too late to do anything about it this year.  These sorts of phobias take lengthy conditioning to solve, and that can't be done in a couple of weeks.

Sedatives are the worst thing ever - they result in a dog that looks calm and quiet but basically all they do is stop the already frightened dog from being able to get up and get away from the noise - they do nothing to stop the dog hearing or being frightened of the noises.

For now I suggest you make a cosy den for the dog, between two armchairs or under a table, somewhere the dog can retreat to and feel safe.  Fill it with duvets and pillows, cover it over with an old curtain or blanket, and feed your dog treats in it every day so that they associate it with safety and positive things.

Close your curtains before dark, and start playing some music with a strong beat before dark.  Feed the dog a normal meal a couple of hours before dark, and then half an hour before dark, give a small supper of rice or pasta, which will have a mood-calming effect.  When the fireworks start, you must NOT comfort your dog (the dog reads your behaviour as confirmation that there is a good reason to be scared).  Put some of his favourite would-walk-over-hot-coals treats in the den (chopped hot-dog, small pieces of cheese or dried liver are all good), and then ignore any wailing, scratching and whimpering.

A DAP diffuser from your vet may also help to calm the dog, but I'd suggest you start with a vet's appointment to find out about conditioning your dog properly in time for next year!

[drgnrdr]

This is to late for now:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/fear.htm 

but maybe for next time?

All are good ideals on here, I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. When the noise starts you can act and be happy and jump around like it is SO exciting that they are going on, have his favorite toy handy to play with yourself even tho he might not want to play with it, you can, give him a safe place to hide.  This reaction he has, has worked for him for 10 yrs, he gets worked up and by the time  he has worked himself into a right frenzy, the noise is over and he survived it and it went away by what he thinks is, his behavior towards it.

I have always given the speech in my classes about socializing your dogs, loud noises are part of it. I have always done this with my young dogs and those that I rescued with the fear, I desensitized them.

Hope the URL opens for you, check it out..Good Luck.

[Bottom]

In the paper they was says that if you should try and act normal around your pet, as stroking and comforting them tells them that something is wrong? But its hard my cat jumps and I can not help picking him up for cuddles. Why dont you phone you vet for advice?

[drgnrdr]

I know this has nothing to do with what this is about but just curious, over there in the UK do your vets actually get certification to be a trainer along with their diploma's for medical? I was curious I have noticed a few people saying to ask the vet for questions on: training or what a behaviorist would do. Some vets do get the extra certification to be a behaviorist, but that is extra they have to go to school for, our vets are not trainers, they have to get extra schooling for methodolgy and learning theory for dogs and such. Just wondering.... Ignoring will not help and cuddleing him will make it   worse check out the website I mentioned.

[c00ky83]

Shoot the b'stards letting them off!