Fireworks, & the Canines

[digitS']

For some, this evening will be their Battle of Yorktown.

For others, they will hardly notice. Why do you suppose that is?

I once had a Pug that behaved as normal through the goings on. I kept her indoors but she seemed more interested in how the other dog responded or ... maybe fireworks made her a little cranky ... probably with all of humanity.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

I'm fortunate in that my two girls don't have a reaction to fireworks or thunder. We used to have a big half Malamute dog, about 150 lbs. that went crazy during thunderstorms and fireworks. He busted out of a chainlink gate like a freight train one time. Poor guy. He was such a sweet laid back dog any other time. His sister, about half his size and twice the spunk wasn't bothered a bit by loud noises.

 

[Ridgerunner]

We have one that does not like thunder, gunfire, or fireworks. She doesn't mind rain but goes to her "den" if she hears a loud noise. She also avoids an area if I'm using a power tool, I consider that a good thing.

The other girl is nothing but pure anxiety. She can sense a storm anywhere between the Rockies and the Appalachians and goes bananas. Two full states away is close enough and some of those are big states. Gunfire, fireworks, thunder, even rain is horrible for her, she literally shivers from fright. She is now a house dog and the AC or a refrigerator starting up can cause her to jump. Putting her in her crate and turning the TV up to cover the noise used to be enough for her to get through it but now she requires medication. She's ten years old and not aging well. She may not have much time left.

 

[Beekissed]

Fortunately we live out in the sticks...the closest any fireworks will get to us will be a mile away or more, but my bigger dog will still act like someone is trying to kill him. Hate to see what he'd do if he lived in town.

The older dog doesn't like loud noises but he's smart enough to just hunker down somewhere and wait it out.

 

[flowerbug]

We have one that does not like thunder, gunfire, or fireworks. She doesn't mind rain but goes to her "den" if she hears a loud noise. She also avoids an area if I'm using a power tool, I consider that a good thing.

The other girl is nothing but pure anxiety. She can sense a storm anywhere between the Rockies and the Appalachians and goes bananas. Two full states away is close enough and some of those are big states. Gunfire, fireworks, thunder, even rain is horrible for her, she literally shivers from fright. She is now a house dog and the AC or a refrigerator starting up can cause her to jump. Putting her in her crate and turning the TV up to cover the noise used to be enough for her to get through it but now she requires medication. She's ten years old and not aging well. She may not have much time left.

aww! i hate that any animal has to suffer. no matter the cause.

 

[Beekissed]

We have one that does not like thunder, gunfire, or fireworks. She doesn't mind rain but goes to her "den" if she hears a loud noise. She also avoids an area if I'm using a power tool, I consider that a good thing.

The other girl is nothing but pure anxiety. She can sense a storm anywhere between the Rockies and the Appalachians and goes bananas. Two full states away is close enough and some of those are big states. Gunfire, fireworks, thunder, even rain is horrible for her, she literally shivers from fright. She is now a house dog and the AC or a refrigerator starting up can cause her to jump. Putting her in her crate and turning the TV up to cover the noise used to be enough for her to get through it but now she requires medication. She's ten years old and not aging well. She may not have much time left.

Have you tried a thunder shirt with her? It worked wonders for my big dog, but it wasn't feasible to have him wear it as often as he would need it as he's an outside dog. If he were inside, I'd definitely put it in him during this season of frequent thunderstorms.

I got the knock off brand from the AKC, which was much cheaper than the actual thundershirt brand. Was $15 and free s/h for the XL..but it barely fits my guy with all his hair. Still, does the job while he's wearing it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

No, haven't tried the thunder shirt. We've discussed it and don't think she' d allow it to stay on but it may be a last resort.

 

[Beekissed]

No, haven't tried the thunder shirt. We've discussed it and don't think she' d allow it to stay on but it may be a last resort.

She won't really be able to shuck it...it's on pretty tight, around the whole torso and across the chest. Sort of like a doggy straight jacket...calms them to be hugged that tightly.

 

[baymule]

We are 9 miles out of town. 3 miles away is a home for unwed mothers and they throw a huge celebration for the Fourth. Neighbors all around are doing fireworks. It sounds like a war zone outside. Trip is in the living room floor, but still uneasy. Paris is snug in her Dog Cave. She is not coming out. Parker doesn't care. BOOM BOOM BOOM like a canon.

 

[Ridgerunner]

She won't really be able to shuck it...it's on pretty tight, around the whole torso and across the chest. Sort of like a doggy straight jacket...calms them to be hugged that tightly.

Bee, how long can they wear them? Constantly, day and night? This is not an occasional thing, it's every day and every night. Storms make it worse, but it's a challenge to get her to eat on a good day. You take her outside to do her business, she often will not, she's so clamped to you even if there is no storm nearby. We've tried different drugs. Doggie valium makes her aggressive. I don't know how long it's been since we had an uninterrupted night's sleep. We found one drug, Composure Pro, that knocks her out for about 4 hours, but when it wears off she's scratching at the bed or she goes into a bathroom (a dark place, like a den) shuts the door, then scratches until we let her out, when she does it again. If we block the doors open she's scratching at them trying to close them. Her crate used to be her safe place. Now if we put her in there she starts scratching, trying to dig her way out. We've had one bloody visit to the vet with a bleeding claw.

We got her as a 4 month old pup. She's ten now. She has always been a high anxiety dog but recently something has snapped, probably due to the move down here. It's a different place. But it's been over a month and she has not settled down. I don't know how long we need to keep trying.