Fireworks :(

[bluesmummy]

We've just had some really loud fireworks, poor Blue is a bit upset, she's not as bad as my other grey, but she still frets. What is the best thing to give her please x

[james]

My lurcher gets a bit upset at the start of the long firework season. If she is just a bit upset then my advice would be to let her find a quietish corner to escape to. This could be under the stairs, broom cupboard, crate covered with an old blanket or even under the bed if she can get there. Maybe she already has a hidey hole already where she sneaks into for some quiet time. Whatever place you or she decide on should have a nice cosy blanket and maybe one of your old jumpers for security.
What you should NOT do is attempt to comfort/reassure her while the bangs are going on as this will reinforce her behaviour and make her think that there really is something to worry about. Hard as it may seem it is better if you you completely ignore her behaviour and just carry on as usual as if nothing was happening.Don't be tempted to reach for the medicine cabinet too soon as you may end up with a sedated but still terrified dog.
I always keep mine on the lead when out at night during this period to avoid the panic and run.
This system works for me and she gradually becomes desensitised.
I must emphasise that this works if she is a bit upset. If she gets seriously distressed and is peeing and pooing and worse then more detailed advice is needed.
Good luck.

[julies]

Walk her early tho you may still get the ****ing kids letting fireworks off- my grey wouldn't go out after dark last year so I stayed up till gone midnight to let her out for another wee Sleep on an old tee shirt or get a baby gro and put that on her at night (careful she doesn't overheat) so it smells of you and she feels hugged .. Do TTouch - that's what's cured my grey of firework fear . Draw the curtains early and keep the telly or radio on, try Kongs to see if she'll be distracted (it doesn't always work but worth a go). Dorwest herbs and good pet shops do calmers like Skullcap and Valerian or Serenum but use it early before she's frightened and adrenalin kicks in as it won't work then. Make sure she has a good long walk (an hour+) so she's nicely tired ....

Good lcuk with her

J x

[debbzz]

Buster used to be scared of thunder and OK with fireworks. This year, in his old age, he now is OK with thunder and frightened of fireworks.

I will do the usual radio/tv left on and distractions (as previously stated). This year I am also going to try Zylkene.

Here is the blurb (from a website) .....
Zylkene is a revolutionary new product used to help cats and dogs cope with stress. It is a food supplement made from a protein found in milk (the same molecule that helps babies relax after a milk feed). The active ingredient is a peptide (a protein molecule) which is able to bind temporarily to certain receptors in the brain. This has a calming influence similar in some ways to tranquilliser drugs, but without the side effects associated such as sedation or memory loss. It has been clinically proven to be effective in dogs and cats.



Not tried it yet - but will let everyone know if it helps.

[james]

Pet suppliers and herbalists et al will supply you with almost anything (or almost nothing) in exchange for cash.Be very wary of quack remedies. If it really is a big problem that cannot be addressed without drugs (herbal or otherwise) speak to your vet.

[dylansdad]

Dylan has been terrified in previous years, not sure how he'll be this season. We've tried most things - it's so hard to see him standing in the middle of the room, head & tail down, trembling with his heart pounding. Last year we tried a dap collar with some improvement, but I'm really not looking forward to the next couple of months.

Allan

Sent from my HTC Desire S using proboards

[dylansdad]

Zylkene had no discernable effect, but I wish you luck

[loopylou]

After three years of trying all the tips I've read the only thing that really calms Tia( and if she calms so does Flynn as he panics because she does) is to go against all the advice and have her on the settee next to me with a blanket over her and over her head and stroke and sooth her.She calmed down so much with this treatment last year that she finally went to her bed and fell asleep , and she is normally really scared and stressed. We have massive Diwali celebrations in Leicester too so it is extremely noisy and lasts for ages. I'm wondering how Barty will be as it's his first bonfire night with us and he is a noisy, barky dog generally. Good luck

[jodav]

I'm not looking forward to the coming weeks either! The lead-up 'bangs' let off by some clever youths in daylight coming out of school, gest the dogs wired even before we get anywhere close to Bonfire Night. Taking them out early isn't an option and I don't like drugs so last year on the worst night, we drove 14 miles away to a quiet spot on the coast. All we could hear was a few distant pops and the dogs loved the new smells and actually we quite enjoyed it. Drastic measures eh ;D

[lauraine]

What about Rescue remedy a natural remedy is good

[bluesmummy]

Thanks for your replies, I don't think i'll go down the medicine route, i'll just turn the telly up loud we have a big procession and firework display on saturday, very near here
Some of you make me laugh, the lengths we go to for our beloved dogs xxxx

[Trixie's Mum]

I'm not looking forward to the fireworks this year now we have Trix. SHe is going to be very scared especially when we are out walking. She freaked out when a plastic bottle got run over and refused to walk down that road for about a month goodness knows what it's going to be like when we're out walking with fireworks! there are some good tips posted here that I'll be relying on

[emmajane]

In our house the fireworks routine is Rescue Remedy in the water bowl throughout the season, big walks during the day (on the beach if possible or as far away from any random bangs as possible), curtains closed before dark, big early tea (long before the fireworks start) of carbohydrates like pasta (as it makes them drowsy), thundershirt on Flea (she's the only one really bothered by them but a tight fitting t-shirt does the same job), radio/tv on in every room trying to drown the noise out, plenty of places they can hide if they want (I put up an open crate with a blanket over) and if they want cuddles/reassurance then they get it - otherwise I just go about my normal business.
Each day has to be planned like a military operation to make sure they aren't left home alone in the dark - during the day if I have to leave them then the radio gets left on pretty loudly incase of the odd rogue on being set off.
Oh and I swear a lot when clearing the remains of fireworks out of my garden - which has to be done in my pj's before I let the dogs out in a morning incase they manage to spike themselves on the sticks when they are rampaging about

[andywillow]

We've tried skullcap and valarian, zylkene, rescue remedy and nothing has touched Willow, she is a wreck. This year we won't be staying at home, last years huge local bonfire was horrendous, it didnt go ahead for quite a few years due to insurance but since last year someone else has took over, the fireworks are more like explosions and no amount of noise in the house can drown them I even had the hoover running for most of the displays last year to no avail. I honestly thought Willow was going to have a heart attack, it was horrendous watching her. We're off with the caravan for the night.
I hate bonfire night so much

[Mr Roo]

poor Faith was the same as Willow, we tried all the remedies and cd's but the vet finally put her on Diazepam which worked and she was much better last year.
we were listening to a play on the wireless on monday and a screechy rocket in the play went off and poor Faith started shaking.
paulx