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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

What’s your plan for the fireworks tonight?

32 replies

Spotty528 · 31/12/2019 17:02

Pup is 17 weeks old, he was very upset when the town had a Christmas fireworks display (who’s stupid idea was that?!). I consulted our vet (£45 later 😳) he’s advised building a den for him (no shit Sherlock) but not to go to him as this reinforces the behaviour. I don’t think I can leave him afraid and whinging/barking in the dark! We’ve also got the pheromone spray to use.

Any suggestions from more experienced dog owners please?

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 31/12/2019 17:11

Ours gets nervous and usually takes himself into one of the other bedrooms.

One of us will stay with him. Being with him reassures him and he often then settles next to us until it stops.

Bubblysqueak · 31/12/2019 17:27

Ours is always better if he can see them, so we leave the curtains open.

BiteyShark · 31/12/2019 17:32

but not to go to him as this reinforces the behaviour.

With mine I will go to him if he is afraid of anything but typically don't make a big thing when next to him so he sees I am not bothered but I am there so he feels more confident.

joystir59 · 31/12/2019 17:47

We have TV/music on loud and create a den for him and also try not to react to them at all as sometimes our non reaction is enough to reassure him

ClementineWardobe · 31/12/2019 18:01

Please ignore the vet about ignoring him, that's dated rubbish. As pp say, stay with him but stay calm. Comfort him like nothing is happening, ear scratches and belly rubs, tell him how good he's being in a normal voice. Did the vet suggest sileo? It's a last resort for drooling fear. I have it but only use it as last resort.
Desensitisation will help for next time, start it while he's young (look at calmsounds website and YouTube, play it low over the weeks and months leading to a firework event.) I did this with one of my pups from weeks old and she is unfazed. My rescue however is trickier. She has a tough time.. We all bundle into bed early, shut the curtains and play gentle classical tonight. It helps.
Your pup will likely need reassurance, the noise is like gunfire in the room. Rain noise can be unbearable to puppies. Their ears are incredible but it creates problems in the human world for them. Good luck, he's still little. If he needs to hide, stay near him and chat calmly. A Kong full of peanut butter helps distract too! Good luck

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 31/12/2019 18:50

DDog has gone to a relative's house in the countryside so I can go out drinking Blush

Luckily he's not scared of the fireworks, but if I were you I'd have a few peanut butter smeared kongs etc so you can produce them the second the fireworks start at midnight

Original poster
Spotty528 · 31/12/2019 19:18

Thanks for all the ideas, I feel better prepared now. I wish they’d just be banned!

OP posts:
Gingerninja4 · 31/12/2019 19:20

Be TV on very loud (not watching NYEcountdown of course )

Long as do before starts he is fine

He used to be fine but someone let one of at 4pm in their front garden shot in front i
Of us as walking past exploded about 15 feet away

pigsDOfly · 31/12/2019 20:01

There have been a few fireworks going off over the Christmas period.

My dog always comes to find me and asks to be picked up - she's small. We usually sit in the living room with her on my lap with the television on and the blinds closed, although on one occasion I was making a stir fry and held her in one arm while trying to prepare the food with the other hand.

I would never leave her alone. I'm calm and don't make a fuss, and being with me comforts her. She always looks to me when anything spooks her outside and a reassuring 'you're okay' usually does the trick.

I don't get the whole 'comforting a dog reinforces the fear' thing. You wouldn't leave a frightened child or indeed a frightened adult to just get on with things on their own, why is it any different for a dog?

Obviously if a dog wants to be alone, that's different, but surely no one should just assume that leaving a frighten animal by itself is the best way to deal with its fear.

pigsDOfly · 31/12/2019 20:03

Sorry OP. The last bit of my pp sounds like I think you're suggesting that. I know you're not.

It just seems to be the advice given out very often by vets and it makes no sense.

Mrsjayy · 31/12/2019 20:08

We give ours herbal calming tablets well we did on bonfire night they worked well he was annoyed rather than frightened we will try and distract him and let him bark at them if he needs to, it is such s pain in the arse.

Mrsjayy · 31/12/2019 20:09

I would never leave a dog frightened i might not fawn all over him but id stay with him.

Original poster
Spotty528 · 31/12/2019 20:21

They’ve started already! He’s ok actually, he’s in the garden doing those quiet little growly woofs at them but he doesn’t seem scared.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 31/12/2019 20:23

Bless his little growly woofs Smile

PestyMachtubernahme · 31/12/2019 20:33

We had lots of woofs at the first fireworks.

Then the Loxicom kicked in.

Disclaimer, DPestyPup has sprained her paw.

Original poster
Spotty528 · 31/12/2019 21:24

Well he’s tucked up asleep in his den now inhaling the pheromones (which absolutely stink!) we’ll see what midnight brings 🤞🏻

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 31/12/2019 21:33

Nothing really.

My two don’t really bat an ear about fireworks. Thank god.

Soubriquet · 31/12/2019 21:35

And yes to leaving TV on and giving them reassurance when needed.

I did have a dog who was frightened so I know the burden.

Poor sod was frightened of every little noise (ex rescue) so fireworks spooked him too.

Will never forget the time I let him out for a wee and someone set fireworks off

Never seen him move so fast. He refused to go outdoors for days

countdowntonap · 31/12/2019 21:38

Vets prescribed Xanax last year and it was a miracle drug! Dog didn’t fuss at all with the midnight fireworks, and so have used the same again.

WitchenKitch · 31/12/2019 22:03

We adopted a gun shy dog and I've FINALLY worked out how to get him through fireworks - I get a handful of cat biscuits (his ultimate treat), make him focus on me, and dole them out.
We practice simple commands - sit, shake, lie down, etc or he just gets told he's a good boy.

He didn't seem to hear a single bang last night while I was doing this, no jumping, barking, rushing about.
Hope this helps someone!

RandomMess · 31/12/2019 22:13

DDog is coming to bed with me, thanks to some fireworks early this evening I'm not allowed to the toilet on my own 🙄

BiteyShark · 01/01/2020 06:55

How was it OP?

Ours actually stayed with us but was head up all the time in alert mode, not helped by some neighbours deciding to play music really loud for 2 hours after midnight which spooked him.

All of us are a bit tired this morning so will be having a lazy day.

Original poster
Spotty528 · 01/01/2020 07:31

Well he slept straight through them! They were bloody loud too and went on for 20 mins so I’m completely amazed! Thanks for all the advice though.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 01/01/2020 08:34

That's good.

dianebrewster · 01/01/2020 08:48

I had a friend's dog to add to my three while she went out

Golden retriever "ooh look, pretty things in the sky, can I go out and watch?"
Mini schnauzer puppy "if she thinks it's ok then it must be ok"
Terrier X "just because I'm not as scared as I used to be doesn't mean I don't get to monopolise your lap" (he used to be a shivering wreck, having the Golden has helped him too)
Friends dog "the sky is falling, why can't you all see the sky is falling??!!"

Drowned out the local fireworks with the tv fireworks (which didn't bother her) but then got caught out by some outside at 12:20 as we went up to bed, but the two calm ones definitely help the nervous ones to relax once it's over.