My dog, as most do, goes crazy with fireworks, gunshots (we live in the county and there are always gunshots), thunder, even the sound of a basketball bouncing as the boys play, any loud noise. She has gotten so bad that now she destroys everything in her path - plants, tables, woodwork, everything. Bringing her inside is not an option because it's not my house and dogs are not allowed in. I would like to enjoy some of the fireworks myself, and I'm not really keen on having her in my car - dirt and hair, or druging her. Is there any technique - any method of comfort - control - leadership that I can offer her to calm her down. HELP!!
2006-07-06 03:51:57 · 17 answers · asked by deelgt 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Look for websites dealing with Police K-9 training. They have to be trained not to panic with gunshots.
2006-07-06 03:53:49 · answer #1 · answered by i wear one button suit 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, there really isn't, short of tranquilizing her. But then you would just have a dog who is stoned and still terrified, anyway. Most dogs absolutely hate fireworks. Their ears are so sensitive. Just imagine how loud it must sound to them. When I see people who bring their dogs to a crowded fireworks display, it just seems like abuse to me. It is obvious the dogs are not enjoying it. Usually they've been out in the hot sun all day, being drug around, poked at by small children, away from their food and water bowls, no shade, and then just when everyone sits down and it seems to calm, ----KABOOM!!!! The poor babies.
I have a friend whose dog is now elderly and hates the 4th so bad that she boards him at the vet on fireworks nights, since she works nights, he's alone. Last time he was home for it, her neighbor called her at work saying he was making a noise she'd never heard him make before and she was afraid he was "having a nervous breakdown"! He, the perfectly behaved dog, had both pooped and peed all over the house, tore up the house, mainly trying to get under things, and was still quivering and crying when she got home at 8am. Pooooooor baby!! Now the vet tranks him for the night.
In short, no, I strongly doubt there is any technique to help much, short of taking her out for a ride in the country that night. Dogs and fireworks just do not mix. Not in any humane way, anyhow.
2006-07-06 11:05:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog does the exact same thing. It's because of the high pitched noises and loud claps. Dogs ears are very sensitive to sounds. The best thing you can do is put her in the basement or a room while setting off fireworks. As for how to help her, just sit with her while this is going on. Mabe try scratching her ears or rubbing her ears and talking to her to distract her.
2006-07-06 10:56:08 · answer #3 · answered by LisaMarie* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My answer would be to take the dog on a secure leash to an outdoor shooting range or any other place there are noises that bother her. I would make the trip numerous times a week. The most important thing is for you not to reinforce the bad or scared behavior. Get the dog walking on a SHORT leash right at your side and just keep walking, make no eye contact and KEEP Walking around. Don't say " Its OK snookie" you are only reinforcing the behavior. They dog will begin to trust YOU and that YOU will not let it get hurt by the noise. I think you will be surprised. Good Luck
2006-07-06 11:06:26 · answer #4 · answered by Trinkapoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you said no drugs but the vet can give her drugs to help her calm down... Its not a bad thing either, really...
But what you can do is take her out target shooting with you and and every time you fire ... give her a treat and pet her... she will soon associate the gunshot with a treat and not be afraid... however is the noise is too much for her sensative ears there isnt anything that can be done... some breeds have very sensative ears ask your vet if she is one of those breeds
2006-07-06 10:56:16 · answer #5 · answered by Grin Reeper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i am a hunter so i have experience with gun shy dogs....which means they r scared of the sound....what u need to do is everytime u feed the dog shoot a gun or light a firecracker...just make a loud noise without yelling...then when the dog starts eating jus comfort the dog...now the dog will take some time....but eventually trust that you wont let anything hurt it
2006-07-06 10:57:17 · answer #6 · answered by scott 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try some professional training, but at this point I don't know how much good that will do. I know drugging her is not something you want to do but we have a similar issue with our dog. Our vet told us to give him a benadryl. It doesn't knock him out completely, but he is more relaxed. I don't know that you are going to have many other options at this point.
2006-07-06 10:56:54 · answer #7 · answered by Lubers25 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Couldn't tell you, have the same problem with my dog. Mine is especially scared of the garbage truck, then thunder then fireworks.
2006-07-06 11:06:01 · answer #8 · answered by curstadevon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my lab mix hates fireworks. i found this out when i can home one day to find she had jumped a 6 ft fence. if i am leaving, i put her in the house with soft music in a kennel. or if i am home, i bring her in the house with me.
i'm sorry to say, why do you have a dog if you don't/can't want to bring her in or put her in your car? how do you take her to the vet? can you not bring her in and directly put her in a kennel?
2006-07-06 12:01:54 · answer #9 · answered by Arr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep them inside. dogs ears are very sensitive compared to humans. think about all the extra stuff they can hear we can't. you could be doing serious damage to their ears with those fireworks depending on how close you are.
control? that's like asking her NOT TO LISTEN to them!? are you kidding?
2006-07-06 10:54:22 · answer #10 · answered by madison018 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋