how can i get my dog to stop being so terrified of fireworks ,she is petrified of them?

Answer 1

Our little dog is scared to death too. I have never really found a good way to get him over this, as fireworks only go off on the 4th of July around here.

I stay home with him during the fireworks [my kids are grown now] and let him lay under a blanket on my lap while I pet him. It calms him down some, but he still shakes.

I know this is a lousy answer, but unfortunately, we don't have opportunity to expose him more to the loud sounds.

Answer 2

Sorry, but you can't stop your dog from being terrified of fireworks and trying to run and hide, since it is their instincts operating and warning them of danger. They also have more sensitive hearing than humans. People would be petrified too if they didn't know what the sound was and it hurt their ears. Every single Halloween thousands of dogs and cats go missing from home during fireworks displays. Not all of them find their way back home so always lock your dog in the house on Halloween.

Answer 3

You can't stop them from being terrified. It seems all dogs are.

You can try keeping her in an area where it's a bit insulated from the sound. If that's impossible, you can ask your vet for a prescription of Acepromazine. It's a sedative that would not knock your dog out completely, but just calm her down a bit (there's also something called Cloicalm).

Usually 1 tablet is given about 1/2 hour to 1 hour before the fireworks (or a car ride, whatever event freaks them out). That should be enough to take the edge off. If she's a bigger dog, she may need 1-1/2 or two tablets - your vet would be able to give you a prescription and an amount.

Answer 4

Awwww................The poor thing!! That is a toughy!! Some dogs just fear noise, like some people do. I don't think there is a way to get him/her over the fear. My dog was so petrified of fireworks, the sound of a gunshot, or ANY LOUD noise, that he used to try to claw his way through the wall to escape it!! The vet told me that all I could really do was comfort him by talking soothingly to him, and keep reassuring him that things were O.K., but not to feed into the situation, as it may make it worse. My heart used to cry for him everytime there were fireworks, or whenever anyone would blow off firecrackers! I hated that time of year because of that. My heart goes out to your dog, cause everytime he/she hears those fireworks, your dog goes into it's own living nightmare, and sometimes we just feel so helpless to know what to do!! Maybe you could call your vet and get some other suggestion? Good luck and don't yell at your dog when this happens, because afterall, they are only frightened!!

Answer 5

Hi I guess you are in the UK & coming up to the 5th huh...unfortunately there is very little you can do to stop him being scared apart from not to fuss or baby him when he is as this only furthers & instills the fear...If you go to the vet & ask them for *ACP 25 mg* only use a quarter of a tablet & you might even need less depending on the size of dog but they will knock him out a little & help him over this terrifying time or year for so very many pets...Regards Jake

Answer 6

Of course she is petrified, it is a loud exploding noise that she does not understand. To her, the volume is loud, sudden and from origins she does not know are entertaining. Almost all Dogs are scared of that noise and other noises like loud thunder.
If a car suddenly backfires, she would jump or bark. I do not think there is any way you can stop her from her normal innate reactions. If anything would help, when she gets scared, hug or hold her and reassure her that everything is alright.

Answer 7

You can start training her to not be afraid of loud noises by taking hold of her collar and making a somewhat loud noise beside her until it no longer frightens her. Also in quire about going to a shooting range in the area you live to get the dog accustom to bangs.
I trained my dog since she was a pup for loud noises ( I had a dog before that ran from thunder) She is now 13 and is one of the most obedient pets I have ever had. You should start training at an early age.

Answer 8

Yep I have a dog that is very scared of fireworks not only of fireworks but of any kind of booming sounds. He always hiding under something. The only why I get him to forget about the sound is I bring him in the house and give him his favorite treats.

Answer 9

It is just canine nature to be scared of fire works. I have had a gigantic German Shepherd and a little tiny fox terrier, both of which have been absolutely shaken to the core around the Fourth of July.

What I found is putting them in the basement, or any quiet area for that matter, (usually in their kennels) alleviates a lot of the problems. I usually cover my dogs kennels with a blanket that they like or put one around them. It seems to calm them.

It also helps to go down and see them while they are there. Make sure you keep a positive tone and do not look worried to them as that scares them more if youy look worried!

Best of luck! It breaks your heart to see them so scared, but this way makes it a little easier for everyone!

Answer 10

My dog is scard to death of them too. The best thing we do for her is to turn the radio or tv up louder to muffle out some of the sounds. If the dog can see the flashes, try shutting the shades too. We sit next to her wherever she is and talk sweetly to her and just pet her to comfort her. Theres no guarantee that your do will ever get used to them but at least you can make her feel safe.Good luck!