Fireworks (some good advice)

UndercoverElephant · Master

Fireworks (some good advice)

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Thanks for this advice,

Zada is terribly nervous of fireworks. Will have a look at this.

Siouxsie

Missy · Master

Our lurcher is petrified by fireworks but we use some drugs from the vet which don't sedate the dog but should make it forget what happened by the next day so that the anxiety/fear doesn't grow out of hand.

My point being you could talk to your vet. Your vet should give you information on the management of the dog when fireworks are going off.

Dusty was prescribed...Xanax ... it does help

-- Edited by Missy at 23:01, 2005-10-24

Santas Little Helper · Master

We've made Ozzy a den which he can feel safe in. We've basically just stretched a rug over the top of his bed. Hopefully he can't see the firework flashes through the windows.

He's also been listening to his firework CD, although he knows the noise is coming from the computer and not from outside. I think he knows we're pulling a fast one! However, he has been able to relax the more he listens to it so hopefully it will have some effect.

I was told also to feed him some pasta or overcooked rice with his dinner and to feed him earlier than usual. The stodge should give him that full and lethargic feeling and help him to sleep.

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

Making a den or something similar is a good idea but also try to be really matter of fact and detached during the nightly bombardments. Your dog will be observing your behaviours and taking cues from you - so, if you are calm and relaxed, you will be sending a message which says "no big deal, I'm not worried, hey ho - let's drink wine and listen to music!!!" It sounds hard, but it does work and I find the last bit takes no effort at all!!

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Hello Carole,

I am sure after reading wino doglet in the About Your Dogs Thread, quite a few of the dogs would agree with the later bit of your advice too. lol.

Siouxsie

Leolurcher · Master

CAROLE ROBINSON wrote:

Making a den or something similar is a good idea but also try to be really matter of fact and detached during the nightly bombardments. Your dog will be observing your behaviours and taking cues from you - so, if you are calm and relaxed, you will be sending a message which says "no big deal, I'm not worried, hey ho - let's drink wine and listen to music!!!" It sounds hard, but it does work and I find the last bit takes no effort at all!!

" hey ho-let's drink wine and listen to music does seem to work".Unfortunately the way fireworks are going around our house night after night just now I would need to shift a heck of a lot of wine and suffer some massive hangovers.

The problem has to be getting worse. I used to be able to book Leo into boarding kennels in the middle of nowhere for a week around nov 5th to get him away from fireworks but now he would require to be in kennels for so many weeks that it has become counter productive as he merely "tolerates" boarding kennels.

If Leo takes a sort of "panic attack" with fireworks. I have found that I can calm him down by lying over him ..ribcage to ribcage ...taking deep in and out breaths myself and gently compressing his ribcage with my weight. His "panic" breathing does slow down and in time he will breath in time with me and calm down.

On saying that I have managed to calm Leo down with his trying to attack the postman stuff my adopting a "Hey what is the problem?....look at me yawning and stretching when that guy walks up the path" and so maybe he is a bit sensitive to owner reaction

I will plead the "fifth amendment" on Leo's aggression problems

Eleanorxxxxxx

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Leolurcher, you've really got is sussed with your Leo, which is great!

Unfortunately our Tyler would'nt take kindly to the 'lying over' position!

Yes, I agree that there does seem to be more fireworks going off and what's getting to me is the fact that they are now going off in the afternoons

FAJ · Enlightened One

We have a dogwalker (Catriona) on Mondays and Fridays to give Steve's dad a break from the afternoon jaunts. Anyhoo, she was telling me about a horrible experience a few evenings ago in Yellowcraigs (down oor way here in East Lothian) where her elderly Irish setter bolted cos of fireworks. Luckily she ran back to the car so Catriona was able to find her. Until the little

set off more fireworks - and this time aiming them directly over Catriona's dog's head! It was lucky that this 15-year old lady didn't have a heart attack from sheer terror. Needless to say, the air was blue and she gave them what-for.

Nora - be extra careful if you take your two down there for the next wee while.

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

FAJ wrote:

where her elderly Irish setter bolted cos of fireworks. Luckily she ran back to the car so Catriona was able to find her.........
Nora - be extra careful if you take your two down there for the next wee while.

I hesitate about posting this because it makes me so sad just to remember, but please, everyone, heed this warning and don't let your dogs off lead in areas where someone may set off a firework. Four years ago, on 12th November in the late afternoon, our beautifuly boy Rupert died as a result of such an incident. Instead of running home (2 minutes walk away) he headed in the opposite direction and was killed on the motorway 3 miles from home. It happens so quickly and when a dog is terrified they just run and run.

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Carole - that is so sad! And it shows how panicky dogs get when the sound of fireworks terrifies them so.

Perhaps it's better to walk dogs on the lead - even in the afternoon, in areas where fireworks may go off. I've noticed a few going off here in broad daylight, too.

Christine

FAJ · Enlightened One

Oh, Carole, I'm so sorry to hear about Rupert. It was good of you to post about him - it's a warning to us all. We sometimes let Pearly have a little run in the field in the evening but made sure to keep her safely on the lead along with Harry last night as we'd heard a few pops in the distance. I don't think you can be too careful at this time of the year.

Fiona

ps: I'm sorry to say that Catriona's dog is very ill after her horrible experience and is on a drip at the vet.

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Fiona, so sorry to hear the poor dog is now under the care of the vet after the terrible experience.

Yes, we all have to be so careful.

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

I am so sorry to hear about Catriona's dog, what an shame, that because of some stupid

, this harmless lady is in the vet being treated. We hope her the best.

Teresa · Enlightened One

Carole, how awful for you.

daisy is completely unaffected by the fireworks but dave is petrified. we fed him early tonite, and didn't take him out because the fireworks were going off. he had quite stodgy food, including rice. unfortunately, it didn't make any difference........as soon as he heard the first bang he started panting, very distressed. he eventually threw up most of his dinner and took himself off to the bedroom upstairs. i'd left the radio on and the light off, as this seems to help but he's still very upset.

will be phoning my vet tomorrow for help. poor kid will be all skin & bone by next week if this carries on !

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Hi Tree,

What a shame for Dave.

These

fireworks should be completely banned or at least from public sale, only organised events that are on one night - councils go on about noise pollution to do with things that don't cause half as much stress and upset.

Let us know how Dave gets on, hopefully it will all stop after Saturday.

Siouxsie

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Tree

I'm sure the vet will give Dave something to calm him down a bit. It's just so frustrating when your dog is upset because of something that gives some people pleasure! Let us know how he's getting on and what the vet says.

Fiona - what a shame that Catriona's dog is under vet care because of the fireworks incident. Hope the old girl is OK. Please pass on to Catriona that we're thinking of her and her dog. As for the little b*****d that did it, I know where I'd like to shove a few lit rockets!!

Christine

FAJ · Enlightened One

Hi, Tree - poor old Dave, the wee sausage. Sorry to hear that he's having a horrible time of it. I hope the vet gives you something to help him through it. Rescue Remedy is good stuff in the meantime.

And thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts for Catriona's dog, Tara. Hopefully she'll pull through.

Fiona

Teresa · Enlightened One

hi all.

the vet suggested a DAP diffuser but i should have started that in advance so missed the boat on that one. i'm very reluctant to sedate him so have bought a DAP spray. it seemed to have worked tonite - well, either that or there haven't been any big bangs !

we shall see how it goes.

Leolurcher · Master

CAROLE ROBINSON wrote:

FAJ wrote: where her elderly Irish setter bolted cos of fireworks. Luckily she ran back to the car so Catriona was able to find her......... Nora - be extra careful if you take your two down there for the next wee while. I hesitate about posting this because it makes me so sad just to remember, but please, everyone, heed this warning and don't let your dogs off lead in areas where someone may set off a firework. Four years ago, on 12th November in the late afternoon, our beautifuly boy Rupert died as a result of such an incident. Instead of running home (2 minutes walk away) he headed in the opposite direction and was killed on the motorway 3 miles from home. It happens so quickly and when a dog is terrified they just run and run.

Carole like others I appreciate your posting despite the distress it would have caused you writing of Rupert. I will add that your warning applies to hounds no matter how obedient and well trained. During a past firework season one of the few agility trained Pharaohs in the UK was tragically killed after being startled by a firework and running off. As you rightly say..."when terrified they just run and run" ...and in such a state of blind terror there is nothing that owners can do to stop them.

Eleanorxxxxx

bluesmumanddad · Master

Well I hope everybodies hounds are ok tonight. Blue has taken cover under the dining room table . Poor love it's like he's using it as an air raid shelter. I feel I should get im a WW1 tin helmet!

He is certainly not as bad as many of the other doglets out there and my heart goes out to them. Lets hope tonight will get most of the fireworks out of the way.

Teresa · Enlightened One

well, dave wasn't too good tonite but i used the DAP spray. it seemed to help. he certainly didn't want his dinnner and he was having a good pant when the bangs went off. however, i rubbed some of the DAP spray on my hands and smoothed it over his face and nose, which seemed to help.

i think that, next year, we might have to go down the sedation route as he was so upset.

Teresa · Enlightened One

Dave is reacting very badly to the fireworks this year - they started a couple of weeks ago so we have about 4 or 5 more weeks to go

I've tried the DAP spray again and Bach's rescue remedy - neither is working now so I took him to the vet last week to discuss possible acp sedation. The upshot was that it needs to be given about 45 minutes before the bangs start (if only I could foresee the future), it could make his heart murmur worse (I don't want to do that) and it might not work anyway! Needless to say, I won't be going down the sedation route.

Am trying the DAP diffuser but, of course, should have plugged it in weeks ago to really be of benefit.

Tom seems to be copying Dave's behaviour so now I have 2 dogs in distress.

I think fireworks should be restricted to organised events and not be available to the general public. Perhaps, also, dedicate ONE night of the year for the event so well can all manage our pets' problems. Call me a killjoy but my babies are more important than bloomin' bangers.

Isla · Enlightened One

I quite agree, they should be restricted to organised events! They are potentially lethal weapons in some hands!

Wills gets terribly distressed by them and I've tried various suggestions. We've tried giving him a hidey hole but he won't stay in it as he roams about for the duration. We've tried loud music (and copious amounts of wine) and the only one who benefitted was me! We've also tried ignoring it and carrying on as normal however that doesn't work either. I will need to see if Rescue Remedy or a DAP diffuser would work. Failing that, it could be sedative time. I'm terrified my wee man has a heart attack!

Gail · Big Cheese

Sorry to hear how badly Dave, Tom and Wills are suffering with this time of year. As a kid i used to love the fireworks but Sally is making me dread every evening now

It seems to be even funnier to the little thugs round my way if they can terrify a dog as well as see the owner struggle to keep control of them Sally is refusing to come out after it turns dark and i have had quite a few accidents in the house because even if i can manage to coax her outside she is too scared to do anything when she gets there!!

Last night both her and Neo tried to bolt at the same time (he usually copes slightly better) and it was an effort to hold them, i think i'd rather have the household accidents than force her out and risk them both running off and something awful happening to them

Will be glad when it's all over for another year for all our sakes.

Isla · Enlightened One

Poor Sally - what a sin! I can sympathise - it can be nigh on impossible to get Wills outside after a thunder storm or fireworks.

Thankfully the other two are totally unconcerned by it all!

It must be horrendous trying to hang on to two terrified greyhounds and I must admit, I'd be worried sick in case any of mine escaped and bolted.

Don't you just want to fire the rockets or whatever at them and see how they like it!!!

Laura · Master

Rosie isnt bothered by the fireworks at all, yet. As I think Ive said on a different thread, Gem and Gems are dreadful. Absolutely petrified. The only sort of fireworks we've ever had were sparklers, not really fireworks. But now, we dont even bother with those. I also wish fireworks were kept to just one night. My dad onced phoned the police as there were fireworks being let off well past midnight, but of course, the police 'couldnt do anything about it' in their words. Which I suppose they couldnt, at that very moment, but an outright ban is probably out of the question.

Gail · Big Cheese

Hope all the dogs get through tonight without too much anxiety and certainly no accidents or mishaps.......Fingers crossed it is bearable for them all.

Dave · Enlightened One

well I hope it's a bit quieter for everyone tonight....this year has been the worst so far, had reports of 3 Greyhounds missing after being spooked by fireworks over the weekend, I hate this time of year...It's probably too late to offer any advice but one thing I would say is PLEASE PLEASE make sure your dog is microchipped and / or has an ID tag on their collar...

JENNY · Big Cheese

It is still quite noisy here tonight but not on the scale of last night. Ziggy was petrified so much that he vomited his dinner back up. This was until we gave him Valerian Root. He was a different dog afterwards and really relaxed. The rescue remedy didn't cut it last night.
Hope everyone else coped ok.