Why isn't my dog arsed about fireworks?

[Nickyknackered]

Snoozing his pretty little head off whilst the bangs are hailing around us.

I would deem him a fairly nervy dog, really doesnt like traffic especially when its raining and gives off that whooshing noise. Hates heights (wtf?) and not really keen on other dogs.

But fireworks? He's grand!

Mine is exactly the same. Hates large vehicles, nervous around other dogs, will bark if a bird in the garden is a bit too loud, but could not care less about fireworks! No idea why.

You're lucky. My dog goes nuts. Whenever there are local fireworks, I have to drown it out with the stereo up high.

Mine too.

Oldest labrador jumps when you go to stroke him, even when he sees the hand coming! Scared of stairs and the younger labrador. Fireworks and thunder? Nada.

Young labrador who counter surfs, steals the sofa from the older dog, basically a total brute? Tail between his legs, bum hovering off the floor wide eyes and runs over and clings to us.

Mine is massive baby too in general but is unphased by fireworks thank goodness. That said, I know many more sensible dogs who find them really distressing.

You're lucky. Our jack Russell is happily snoozing on the sofa but our other dog is shaking like a leaf and hiding under the bed.

I'm sorry your dog finds them difficult. It is hard to see them struggle.

It takes a while but try desensitising him/her. Might take a while but realistic for New Year.

Play audio of fireworks in the house at barely audible volume whilst you ignore it and get along with everyday life. When dog totally unphased by it increase volume by a tiny amount. Continue until you're cooking your meal with fireworks banging all around you. Not possible for every dog but very effective for some.

Also talk to your vet about any help they can give. I hope the next few weeks aren't too stressful.

I've only ever had one dog who was actively scared of fireworks. His predecessor used to make out he was going to attack them if we had them in the garden, but he wasn't bothered about the noise from other displays. The one who disliked them made up for all the rest with the barking and general hysteria.

Totally appreciate how fortunate we are. He was a puppy still with his mother during his first bonfire night. Possibly a reason?

We didn't get off totally easy- he has epilepsy!

My dog isn’t bothered either. We do live in the countryside so I think hear regular gangs from local shoot and there a bird scarer that goes bang randomly so Iee we onset if just desensitised.

Mine is tge same. He's quite nervous generally, but for some reason fireworks don't bother him, thank goodness - it's really strange.

You lucky, lucky thing! Mine usually goes absolutely ballistic. This year we have had things planned out. Anti-anxiety meds, as soon as the bangs start, I stick on the tumble dryer, if the bangs are very close by, then we get the vacuum out! He’s distracted by chasing that and chasing balls. My poor boy has fight/flight syndrome. He usually fights. Me. He is totally irrational and scared out of his wits. Fingers crossed what we’re doing continues to work!

We had a staffy that hated them, he used to hide in the wardrobe. Then one year he just wasn’t fussed. Poor thing was getting on a bit and it turned out he’d gone deaf 😂 we did wonder why he didn’t really ‘listen’ to us any more. We thought he was just getting old and doing his own thing.

Hearing them in his socialisation period should have made him less likely to be reactive to them in future certainly. Given his epilepsy I'm pleased you dont have an additional stress factor over fireworks!

I have a very solid dog, very little makes him nervous except for one of DH's giant sneezes. He completely ignores fireworks and always has done. No training or desensitisation on my part, just luck.

Mine does not care.
Once we were way on Bonfire Night and me and him sat on hillside watching the fireworks together, he really couldn't care less. The first bonfire night after we got him he was 10 months old and I made him a den and while we popped to a neighbours we kept going home to check on him - he slept through most of it!
I consider us very lucky when I hear about how some poor dogs suffer

Mine is same - you could let a firework off by his head and he wouldn’t blink! I’ve walked in thunder too (unintentionally) and he just doesn’t notice……. I wonder if it’s his innate gundog side - he has a very natural ‘work’ attitude when out on walks. He can be highly strung and sensitive to many other things though

I looked after a new kitten one firework night. He was completely unbothered by having a new person coming to look after him. He looked at the windows in a very interested way when the fireworks started. So I picked him up and took him to the watch and he looked fascinated. Wasn't bothered at all.

Another friend's cat would try and hide in the wardrobe even after she gave him a tranquilizer.

I could try that. I think part of the issue is that we're very near the park they run the display at. At least it's short lived.

I also have a dog unfazed by fireworks, but I think it's because he was exposed to them as a puppy, and just thinks it's normal.

Thank god, as the our last dog was totally freaked out by them.

Mine sits in the window watching them. Completely unfazed. Now drive up the street or knock on the front door, completely different story!

We’ve got a little foster dog her this week, a stray from the kennels, she’s also unfazed by them thankfully. She’s quite nervous still so was worried how she would cope.

Mines the same. Goes ballistic if someone walks past our house and breathes wrong, or a leaf blows onto the patio. Couldn't give a toss about fireworks. Occasionally growls at the very loud ones in his sleep.

I think this is probbly why mine doesn't care, we live in an area where the fireworks start around Diwali and carry on until after Novmber 5th so he had always been used to them
He IS a gundog but I have had the same breed a few times and none have been as blase as this one

Same! He's a very active terrier, he's quite nervous, but fireworks, he doesn't really care.
Weirdly, he also never barks at the doorbell. He'll go to the front door but no bark.
We just when out for a walk and he was more nervous about a lady with a big coat than fireworks in nearby gardens.

You are lucky op. My dog is now laying next to me on the sofa. He’s on the same cushion as me, right up against me because he has spent the last 2 hours shaking uncontrollably. We took him out in the car so that the noise of the car would help. Got him home and he’s stoped shaking but is clearly very unsettled.

Fireworks tonight, last night and probably every night for until next weekend is finished. Poor dog - going to be shaking every bloody night. Me, DH, teens and none of us can do anything to distract him from his fear. Every year it’s the same. He’s absolutely terrified of fireworks.

Weird how it works sometimes isn’t it? Current Golden Retriever is very laid back and in no way nervous or anxious about anything but hates fireworks. Last dog, a Greyhound, couldn’t have given a toss about fireworks even when some went off right near to us o e night while she was out doing her last wee of the night. But a particularly dry, noisy, leaf blows down the road past her? Yep, that elicits the Greyhound scream of death alright. Odd.