Sudden onset fireworks phobia

[Koulibiak]

DDog is four years old, has never previously cared about fireworks, but since last night has been shaking like a leaf and climbing all over me/hiding in the house, which are both very unusual behaviours for him. It seems like he’s suddenly become massively scared of fireworks. Poor thing. Is there anything specific I can do right now to reassure him? I will speak to the vet about a long term plan. TIA 🙏

So sorry you're going through this. It's hellish. Our girl was fine as a puppy, but started with this last year and is worse still this year.

As you can't get hold of medication, the only thing to do really is try to find him a safe space or make him a covered den to hide in. And put some music on to slightly mask outside noise - classical seems to work best for us.

Our girl would try to climb over the back of the sofa or squeeze under a tiny table, she also looked for an escape route so she targeted doors and gates. But we've now realised that behind the breakfast bar in the kitchen has become some sort of safe space/sanctuary for her, and if she can hide out there she's a lot less panicky.
So if you have a little space that's not close to doors and windows that you can encourage him to lie in, it might help a little.

My heart goes out to you because it's horrible seeing them so stressed, wide eyed and panting. It's just awful, because you feel so helpless and their anxiety can rub off on you.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. DDog decided to hide under DS’s gaming table 🤷🏼‍♀️, a very unusual spot for him. He also wouldn’t go out for his evening walk, the first time ever. I will definitely speak to the vet as this is all uncharted territory for us. He is such a lovely and laid back guy, I’m feeling really sorry for him as he’s shaking like a leaf 🙁

My dog started a couple of years ago at the age of 9. I was dreading this year but fortunately he’s gone a bit deaf. I bought a thunder coat, have the tv on loud, and had licki mats and chews at the ready. It’s not been too noisy here to be fair but I’m going out tomorrow night and hope it’s equally quiet 🤞.

He sleeps in my bed and he wet it a couple of times last year. The vet thinks it was his nerves, plus a reluctance to go out for his last wee. I’ve bought nappies as well.

I had a very scared dog. Adaptil plug ins helped. We used to pull the sofa ou and make a den for him. Current dogs aren’t too bothered but we have got NOW musics one hit wonders on tv, which may finish me off. Evening walks are definitely a bad idea until next week.

Thank you both. DDog finally had a treat and stopped shaking and has now gone to sleep in my bed. It’s very perplexing when he hasn’t been remotely bothered by fireworks in the past. He’s usually a really placid chap. I’m feeling very sorry for him. But he seems fine now.

My dog wasn't fussed by fireworks until one went off directly above her. Terrified ever since. Maybe something like this happened out in the garden?

Exactly the same thing happened to my parents dog in their garden. He went from unbothered to phobic.

How odd! My 10yr old has always been fine. She was fine on Thursday. Last night she was whining and shaking so much, I've never seen her so scared. That came completely out of the blue. I wrapped her up tightly in her blanket, held her and just talked to her.