My dog is always, always a mellow dude. But tonight, of course, he's a nervous nelly. The fireworks outside are turning my 120lb rottweiler into a big baby! I love him and would like to help calm him down. Other than giving him a couple of benadryl tabs, what can I do?
2006-07-04 17:17:55 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
pet him hold him tell him it will be alright.
2006-07-04 17:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by stick man 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some dogs can't be calmed, maybe bring him inside so he can't hear it so much and tie him up so he doesn't wreck the house.
If you can't bring him inside, then just tie him up so he can't run away and get hit by a car.
He will still howl and bark and whimper but that can't be helped, just wait it out. he should be okay after.
if he is still panicky and stressed about half an hour after the fire works have finished, TAKE HIM TO THE VET.
Hope it helps,
Alison
PS> If you act really calm it could help him, if he sees that you aren't worried then he might think 'ok, nothing to worry about'.
Don't worry about him and act all nervous. He will get even more terrified.
2006-07-04 17:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl is not just a people medicine, it is used in dogs for allergic reactions, respiratory infections and to calm them. It doesn't do the trick for my high strung lab mix, so I get her medicine from our vet. Be careful about giving him "a couple" of benadryl, 50 mgs is quite a bit for a 120 lb person, and dogs may metabolize them differently. If you want to try Benadryl, call your vet to get the proper dose. My vet charges $12 for a bottle of 10 "doggie downers", and they last from July 4 to New years. We get them once a year for her.
2006-07-04 17:45:03 · answer #3 · answered by Dorothy C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring him inside in to a calm environment as most dogs will try to escape to get away from the noise. Keep him inside until the fireworks have stopped. If you can plan to have him inside before they start, and feed him his dinner: this will distract him for the duration of the fireworks.
2006-07-04 17:31:51 · answer #4 · answered by Felicity 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pet stores and vets sell something called "doggy downers". It just makes them sleepy and out of it. Sometimes I wish people wouldn't do that at all. I'm going to be a part of a dog search and rescue team tomorrow, looking for dogs that will get lose and run tonight. My dog is a "magnet dog", and will attract the strays to her. It will probably be a fun project, but I also hope there aren't too many out there.
2006-07-04 17:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by Cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a problem that needs some work. Tonight you are not going to be able to do much. You need to de-sensitize your dog to loud noises and fireworks. There is something you can do. I have set up numerous programs for my clients to help dogs with this same problem.
contact me at: thepetproject@zoomshare.com
I will be happy to set something up for you
2006-07-04 17:44:22 · answer #6 · answered by Pawsitive K9 Consulting 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring the dog inside if you can and spend time with him to reassure him. If this isn't possible, make sure he is securely tied up or locked up as more dogs run away on fireworks nights than any other time.
2006-07-04 17:24:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl is not for this calming. My dog's afraid too. I just tell him it's ok and pet and love on him. If you use "coo-ing" voices though, it may frighten him more. Be peppy when you try to soothe him. "You're a goo dog!" or "It's ok buddy!", with a smile on your face and in your voice. The basement is another option. It's quieter there aren't as many windows....
2006-07-04 17:23:54 · answer #8 · answered by rednecklady17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than that, there's not a lot you can do. One of my three dogs always get nervous with thunderstorms, for example, and we do the ol' Benadryl trick, but also tie him down to perhaps a door knob. Though, he'll always rip the blinds down to the ground cause he'll get all panicked and get his claws stuck in them. At least they're easy to fix!
2006-07-04 17:22:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because dog's ear are very sensitive to sound and they can hear a whole better than us...those boom sounds to you might sound normal...but to him is like having his ear next to an aerosmith concert speaker....I say just put him in a secluded area with the lowest noise...don't bring him to fireworks...he won't understand it anyway...he'll just find it hilarious how a bunch of grown ups laugh and giggle at bright lights...i'd laugh too...
2006-07-04 17:23:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, right now we are in my room, windows closed, blinds shut, a fan on low chimes ringing ever so slightly, and the radio tuned to kblx (prince) and all are snoozing on my bed! :o) yikes! I am a happy pet owner!! Been worried all day, at last, we all can relax!
2006-07-04 17:49:07 · answer #11 · answered by fuzzy81b4u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋