More advice wanted please. This time firework related.

[Kayzr]

I have just realised its almost bonfire night. We didn't have Gresley last year as he was only a few weeks old. We'd had him for about 2 weeks on NYE and he didn't seem too bothered.

He hasn't seemed bothered by thunder at all. I always bring him in when we've had thunder and he's fine.

So what should I do bonfire night and all the other nights people insist on setting them off? I know from being a child my parents always made sure that the dog and cats were in the house but that was it.

Should I wait and see if he is bothered by them or have something planned just in case?

Thanks very much.

[LeBOOOf]

I would call into your vets for some doggie valium, to be on the safe side- ours gives it out for pennies, no questions asked, around bonfire night. If you want to be super-prepared, perhaps you could do some startle-training by clattering objects and rewarding a calm response? Other people may know more about this than me though- I'm not sure exactly how to go about that.

[WitchesBrewIsMyFriend]

Just dont make a big deal out of it. I have one dog who detests fireworks and another who isnt bothered by them.

If your dog isnt bothered then do nothing different than you usually do.

If your dog doesnt like them, close curtains/blinds and have noise in the house. I have the radio on in the kitchen, tv on in lounge and blinds closed. When scaredy boy hears the fireworks I totally ignore it and dont react at all. I dont stroke him or 'sooth' him. I dont want to enforce his fear so I ignore the fireworks and get on with my evening.

Some people use DAP collars or plug ins which is a natural method to ease fear of fireworks etc.
Your Vet or petshop will stock them and your vet will have lots of suggestions if your dog is scared of fireworks.

[Kayzr]

It was a DAP plug in advert that reminded me about bonfire night. I'll give the vet a ring and see if they stock them there.

[daisydotandgertie]

Don't do anything! The signs are promising that he will be absolutely fine with them. Don't make any unusual fuss, don't soothe, don't give extra attention - nothing. Just carry on completely as normal.

Anything out of the ordinary in your behaviour will make your dog think there's something to be nervy/different about.

Make sure he's not outside alone at night when there are fireworks about though - just in case. Also make sure he's not alone in the house in the evenings when fireworks are being let off.

If he does begin to look stressed - ignore him. Make sure he has somewhere to go that's quiet and dark if he needs to, but whatever you do, don't reinforce his behaviour by instinctively soothing or fussing around him. It feels cruel - but I promise it's not.

And, as fireworks tend to wax and wane - building up to a peak on the 5th November, you'll have a good idea how he reacts by Friday or Saturday and if it is with terror you can whizz to the vet and ask for help.

One of ours is absolutely terrified - completely paralysed with fear - she's no spring chicken and I fear for her heart tbh. She has always just been like it. The rest of them couldn't give a bugger.

[DejaWho]

Don't make a big deal of it - if you go in all "Oooh I know you're scared sweetie pie let mummy cuddle you and make it all better" - you're reinforcing there's something to be scared about. You can download MP3s of firework noise to use to desensitise them but it might be pushing the timelimit a bit now (www.dogsandfireworks.com/ has a file and also has a pdf file if you go to "download the guide" that looks pretty good).

None of my pets seem very bothered - but they won't be here on the 5th anyway since we're away and they'll be in kennels which is quite an isolated area so hopefully less to upset them anyway - not planned like that just worked out that way.

[Pisky]

We are planning on going to a local bonfire & fireworks this weekend and hadn't thought about the dog.

DH wants to go at lunchtime for a walk on the beach, lunch etc (great dog walking beach and the cafe encourages dogs - suggested we bring her inside last time as a bit cold out) and stay on for the fireworks later as the parking later will be terrible. This would mean having the dog with us though.

She is a cocker spaniel and doesn't seem to be fussed by much. We have heard gunshots nearby and she didn't even react. But would we be mad to keep her with us? She is about 5 months old now.

The alternative would be going a bit later and leaving her home - it is 9 miles away so shouldn't be any firework noise at home but she would miss out on a fun afternoon on the beach then and be shut in instead for longer than we normally leave her.

[WitchesBrewIsMyFriend]

If your dog doesnt react then it wont be a problempisky you will get some weird looks though. [hgrin]

[Pisky]

Thanks Witches! DH has offered to carry her if she is being tripped over in the dark (black dog...) - he moans about being tied down by the dog but loves her really!

[notmeagain]

Pisky sorry I think it would be mad to take a dog and really unfair as well.

Gunshots are not a fair indication that your dog will not be terrified by fireworks. It is the noise and also the flashes and the peoples reaction that can upset the dog.

I think you could easily be making problems for yourself and your dog by making her fearful of fireworks for the rest of her life. Leave her at home with the curtains drawn and telly or radio on. Please don't take her with you.

[daisydotandgertie]

Pisky to make the best stab at having a dog who's not scared of fireworks DON't take her with you.

Not only could it make a life long problem, it could also go horribly, horribly wrong - you could even lose her if she bolts. It's a very real possibility despite collars, great care and leads. Dogs will wriggle out of pretty much anything if they are scared enough.

She's only 5 months old. A baby. I wouldn't even leave her at home alone for her first fireworks night. Once a fear of something like this develops it's pretty hard to eradicate.

There are many more fireworks nights to come and if you do this one right, the rest will be easy.

I'm afraid (and I really don't want to upset you) putting the firework display as a higher priority than the welfare of your dog given his age and the time of year is, IMO pretty selfish.

[WitchesBrewIsMyFriend]

my apologies - didnt read the post properly, thought it was 5 years old.

So after reading more replies and re reading I am with the others, either take the dog early, go home and watch fireworks from the comfort of your home or leave the dog at home with lots of noise and curtains/blinds closed.

[WitchesBrewIsMyFriend]

^ was for pisky

[Pisky]

Have bribed DH to leave her home with the promise he can do some DIY first and we will go later without her.

There are no fireworks near us tonight (we live in the middle of nowhere - the ones we want to go to are 9 miles away which is the closest) so she will be fine at home.

[Pisky]

Mind you given the weather we currently have none of us may be going...