Worried to leave my dog

@Itslikefloggingadeadhorse It sounds as though you've had a really sh&t time lately. I hope 2025 brings you happier times, good health, fun, peace. Plan some non-firework family adventures together, and arrange a dog-sitter for next NYE.

Sounds like 2024 has been tough OP. Wishing you a better 2025.

Is the car an option OP?

I had to do an emergency run to my MILs on bonfire night this year as she had some dog calming tablets and my oldest dog was terrified for the first time this year.

I was home alone so thought the lesser of two evils would be to take both of them with me in the car.

I couldn't believe it, by the time I'd got to MILs (15 minute drive) DDog was sound asleep in her crate in the boot.

By the way:
A very happy New Year to all of you (ddogs included of course ) at home looking after the furry members of your family, hope 2025 is wonderful for you all💛

Just go and leave your husband with the dog, I'm sure he can handle it.

Oh OP please ignore. Some people are just plain ridiculous. Whatever you end up doing I hope you all have a wonderful new year and I hope 2025 brings better things for you.

Share it then.

I have a large plate to fill.

My dog is the same. I don't really see the problem. One of you goes with DD and the other stays with the dog.

Its a shame but having a dog means you sometimes miss out on things

Please don’t go round giving this awful advice. I am sure you think it is helpful but it goes against the advice of qualified behaviourists and animal welfare charities.
There is really good advice available, let’s focus on sharing that.

Agree with @BIossomtoes that your advice is great @Whatabouthow . Comforting your dog when he or she is scared and letting the dog gradually become used to loud noises, by using cds etc, is the most up to date advice.

As I said, there are other ways, and if what I have said is incorrect - but it's what another family member suggested we did - then I am very happy to be told so. I also used You Tube videos of firework displays on the TV, getting louder and louder.

But the important thing is that new dog owners take this seriously. So if any one else wants to comment then please do. I am happy to have my arse handed to me on a plate if it means even 1 new dog owner decides to do something about it.

My funny 2 year old whippet watches the fireworks from the window he's not scared at all! We had a female whippet who was terrified of the fireworks, though She's dead now. However I wouldn't leave him it's just not worth the risk. If dogs are scared they can destroy things.

Great advice. I wish I’d seen that when ours were little.

This is mostly terrible advice. Yes, you want to desensitise your dog or new puppy to fireworks, but this is not how to do it. Uncontrolled exposure to bangs going off is how they get scared. Also comforting them isn't reinforcing the behaviour, it's allowing them to feel safe. The idea you're showing them it's something to be scared of is very outdated.

If you do want to desensitise them, find a video of fireworks on YouTube. Play it at whisper volume for ten seconds and then feed their meal. Make sure it finishes before they finish eating. They should show no obvious signs of hearing it - if they do, it's too loud. Over a few weeks gradually turn it up each meal time until it's WW3 and the dog doesn't care.

You will do your dog a big favour if you can do this one thing for them and help them from a young age not to be scared of fireworks.

This. Neither of ours are frightened of fireworks or thunderstorms because we sat calmly and cuddled them when they were puppies.

@Createausername1970 exactly. Head out but be prepared to hold her. It's going to be the same wherever. But with fireworks she can see them, with guns they can't. I would give it a go. You are sat with her anyway, no difference in car with vision or at home under table

I want to go to be part of it all so badly
of a 10 min firework display?
get a grip

@Dotto cross post

If the dog is scared then definitely don't leave it on its own.

My dog isn't scared, and I still wouldn't leave her.

To any people reading this thread who are planning on getting a puppy - please, please, please desensitise your dog to fireworks.

One thing you can do is take them into the garden if there are any going off locally, or at the very least stand in an open doorway or next to an open window so the dog can see and hear the fireworks and can see you are not bothered. There are many other things you can do.

If your first reaction is to start cuddling it or making it a safe space under the table you are telling your dog that there is something to be bothered about. Some dogs may be scared after all your efforts, but most will probably get to where our dog is. Not keen on the sudden bangs, but not scared and definitely not a quaking mass under the table.

You will do your dog a big favour if you can do this one thing for them and help them from a young age not to be scared of fireworks.

Whoah calm down. @Dotto I don't get the jump to cruel fucker when she hasn't discussed it. And I tend to always agree with you, so perhaps a back story I've missed.

He could be posting saying fucks sake, I had to go out in the cold last year, I can't be bothered, she should go but wants to stay with dog.

Others saying they would never get a dog because of this. Again, calm down.

We are farmers, we have many dogs.

The biggest issue here is guns and shooting.

We have between us 26. Two are scared, one had to be rehomed.

It's. It easy but as some PP have said sometimes contained exposure is better. I've sat with collies cuddling them as the shoot goes by and that's easier than alone.

Fireworks are minimal and linked to shoots, aka tonight but we will be in the kennels with the dogs.

The dog I rehomed would not have cared if someone was there or not and would self harm as soon as she heard a bang which developed to a door bang or anything. She actually now lives in a care home as she just wants to be held.

This. No way can you leave the poor dog.