Fireworks stress - help please

[RiksBottom]

We are going into another fireworks season which seems to last from about September to January here. We get regular loud bangs from single fireworks as well as a really busy celebration period (Halloween/Guy Fawkes, religious events and football wins and many just for the hell of it it seems), every weekend. We are in London and there is nowhere to really get away from it.

Our terrier is driven crazy by the noise - he barks and whines and gets very agitated and it's getting worse year on year (he is 9 now). We have tried the cuddle coat things, ear covers, distracting him with toys,puzzles and games, singing, tucking up with him, ingnoring the fireworks, ignoring him, but nothing really works and it's relentless and exhausting. Distracting a stressed and barking dog till gone midnight is not great for him, us or neighbours.

Does any one have any ideas about what can help? Is there a dog equivalent to that feliway stuff for cats and does it actually work? We are going to the vet later this week, but that can be expensive trail and error - so looking for things that have actually helped your pet.

It might be too late for you to prepare for this year, but Dogs Trust have resources to help with this:-

www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets

Oh that's really really useful - thank you.

I put an Adaptil collar on my dog who hates fireworks about the 15th of October and then it lasts a month so covers all the bonfire night stuff. Depending on how things fall, I sometimes replace it straightaway and then another to cover New Years, or have a break. But it was an absolute game changer for him

Search Fireworks for Dogs on YouTube
Great for desensitisation.

Classic FM on really loud from early evening. You mustn't react to the dogs distress. Create a covered den for your dog to take refuge it. Don't react to your dog's distress

Having other noises on might help a bit - but one of ours was always afraid of drum/firework sounds even when these were quiet. It is harder with older dogs... until their hearing really goes.

If you have a puppy - I can recommend having some TV fireworks on regularly - especially when feeding or playing or comforting. It has left our pups very laid back about the whole thing .

We also found that making microwave popcorn was a similar firword sound but produced a snack our pups found very exciting!

I use Valerium tablets from Dorwest Herbs plus the liquid. There is also nuracalm and they are good. Someone last year recommended some milk tablets called Zylekene. So last year she had the full dose of Dorwest, the xyklene, some calm fieworks liquid , the adaptil collar and plug in. She was scared but calmly just took herself off to her safe place and stayed there. She is scared of all bangs and gunshots. She sleeps through these noises on the tv. I have the tv up loud and we don't react at all. The ones that really piss me off are the random ones at 4.30 in the afterbefore I've fed her.

Mine has Xanax from the vet, can you get a prescription OP?

We have tried all the things you've already mentioned, plus done the desensitisation stuff. I play firework noises to her throughout the year but she's fine with that. It's the real thing that freaks her out and I can't replicate that. It must be the smells and vibrations for her not just the noise. Last year she had a thunder jacket on, snood, covered hideaway place, adaptil plug in, hemp chews, classical music, and her max dose of Xanax and was still anxious. At one point I even started searching for soundproof kennels but couldn't find anything affordable, only bespoke things costing thousands which much as I love her, I just haven't got! She also won't go in a hiding space or anything while they are going off, she likes to run from room to room keeping alert. I wish she would at least get under the covered spaces but short of restraining her I'm unsure what I can do for her.

They go off randomly through the year here and it's been very bad already as soon as it turned September. It's not boding well.

From
Amazon

Benefits Goodnight Dog Treats

•	To calm & relax before bed or at times of stress eg fireworks
•	With chamomile, scullcap & valerian
•	Hypo-allergenic
•	Healthy & natural
•	Oven baked for more flavour & natural texture

Can you try playing firework noises really quietly and build up in volume over a period of time? Did this with our pup to get him accustomed to the bangs. Lots of desensitisation videos on YouTube.
And agree with PP don't react yourself, keep tv on, talking etc and act like everything is completely normal.

@brimfulofpacha this all sounds very familiar. I am working on the recorded sounds suggested by Queen of Toast from the Dogs Trust and it seems very sensible process, but he already reacts quite differntly to recordings or other sounds and real sounds (he has no reaction to the TV for example). I hope it works. But yes going to speak to the vet on Friday to see what they can advise.

Apologies if you've tried this and it sounds counter intuitive, but I let my dog out to watch them, especially if they are visible. He was a lot more stressed hearing them and not knowing what it was. I gave him safe spaces etc to go to but seeing them and having a good woof at them but understanding it was nothing to worry about helped.

We've had loads of success with the NutriPaw calming treats - he takes them year round but he's no longer terrified by loud bangs since starting them.

Pet Remedy spray is also good for keeping them calm.