I have a 6 year old Shitsu called Molly - she is really terrified of fireworks - any ideas to help her ?

Answer 1

Ii understand that the vets are prescribing diazapam for this, with good results..Some send home acepromazine..so it wouldn't hurt to call your vet..
I like Chamomile tea..Just dump it out of the teabag, and give 1 teaspoon for her size, mixed with a good canned dog food..Only aboot 1 tablespoon of dog food.. It will relax her in about 20-30 minutes..You can give as often as needed..You will find it at your grocer's, with the other teas..
It is very safe, and doesn't make the dogs woozy or silly..just much more clam..

Answer 2

I have no idea what a shitsu is. Do you mean shih tzu (pronounced shee tzoo) by any chance? Has she been afraid of fireworks all her life? You can get a tranquilising pill from the vet to use on bonfire night. Also leave the curtains closed and the light on so she doesn't see the flashes and play the radio to drown out the noise. WHatever you do, do not pet her and be sympathetic as it will only reinforce her belief that there is somthing to be afraid of. My own shih tzu was afraid of bands , thunder, fireworks etc when I got her aged 5 some 2 years ago. Now she isn't bothered at all because I ignore her so she thinks that if the noise doesn't worry me, it isn't anything to be worried about.

Answer 3

I have 4 dogs and the best advice i have is put the radio on a talk channel quite near them so they hear that over the fireworks also try to make a den for her now... say a blanket over a box or make a little bed under a table...some where cosy and small ..entice her there each day and feed her some treats there...then when the fireworks start try taking her there and hopefully she will feel safe and hidden from the noises. you could also try putting a blanket in there which u has your scent on it- eg an old t shirt or item of clothing... Failing all of this id make sure she has been to toilet early and try to keep all the windows closed and the tv or raido up quite loud. if your going to cuddle and stroke her when the fireworks go off...do it all the time not just when the bangs go off otherwise she will associate the noise with you fussing over her and it will reinforce her fear. All in all try to ignore the fireworks and distract her with other noises.
hope that helps. :)

Answer 4

Desensitizing a dog to fireworks is so hard. If she is only exposed to fireworks one or twice a year, making her comfortable is probably the best option.

There are products that may help her. Do an internet search on each for info:

Anxiety Wrap
Bach's Rescue Remedy
Comfort Zone DAP
Azmira Holistic Animal Care

When the fireworks are going off, keep her inside in the innermost part of the house. Play soothing classical music or a sound machine with babbling brook or other calming sounds.

Answer 5

There is really nothing you can do...some people think giving dogs nice comfy beds or comforting them when the fireworks are going helps, but they don't. Your vet can prescribe a light sedative called Acepromazine or some other drug that they use. But this helps to calm and relax the dog without actually knocking the dog out. The vet will give you a dosage, but if that doesn't work increase it by a 1/4 tablet. Do not go over the dosage anymore than this. Goodluck! My dog has the same problem and he needs Ace or he just rides it out.
oh yea...you can't give her the pills after she has already gotten nervous...you have to give her the pills before the event or there will be no effect whatsoever.

Answer 6

you shouldnt realy bring dogs to fireworks becuase it scares olmost every dog does. i would say stop bring him

Answer 7

Sadly the fireworks season is not confined to a day or two either side of 5th Nov. If it were, you could ask your vet for a light sedative to get her past it.

My suggestion is that you keep her in a small well-upholstered room, (to minimise echo-ey acoustics,) with the radio/TV on for background noise, keep the curtains closed and the room well-lit so the contrast of flashes is lessened, and talk to her - a lot! When she reacts to a firework, avoid the temptation to give her excessive fuss because it may, at some level, reinforce her beelings that there is a genuine threat if she thinks you're scared too. She may perceive a fussy reaction from you as an additional stressor.

Give her plenty of exercise in the daylight hours, and feed her a light, easily digestible diet. Chicken may well go down well, and boiled rice or pasta for her cereal/carbohydrates.

Answer 8

Aww poor Molly, its very common for all pets (animals) to be scared of fireworks, especially as they seem to be going non stop for a month beforehand the event now!

My dog Niamh is scared stiff too, we have tried sedative pills from vets/turning telly up and closing all windows and curtains. This year i was recommended to get the Dog Appeasing Pheremone. Its like a glade plug in that you have on 24/7 for a week beforehand and two week after the event. It calms the dog down naturally.

You can get this from your vet..and if you put a search in for DAP you will find all you need to know.

Answer 9

Don't scold her for being frightend,stay with her and keep her company if you are in the house when fire works go off.It also would be a good idear to go to the local vet and tell him/her the problem and see if you can get some thing to give her like tablets to calm her down during the fire work period another thing is to try and make sure she is not on her own when it is the run-up to bonfire night try hireing a dog sitter if you are out or ask maybe a close friend or relitive to look after her if you go out at bonfire night or near that time

Answer 10

Acepromizine is what my veterinarian prescribes to calm down dogs during fireworks, car rides etc. Give them a call, they can prescribe the right amount for her weight. Usually it's about 1 to 1-1/2 pills about 1 to 2 hours before the event. She won't be totally drugged out, just enough to be calm.