Fireworks, how to calm a dog down

madlyn

That dreaded time of year for most pet owners is approaching and I want to get prepared early, as my 12 year old dog is not good with fireworks.
My vet has said that they can give her a sedative for a few days, just to get her through the worst of it, but we all know, it last more than 1 night.
My dog walker said that there is something that can be brought on the high street that is put into their drinking water, but she cannot remember the name.
I have tried adaptil which made no difference, the dogs bed is in a dark corner of the room and is partially under the dining table, but any other suggestions would be gratefully received. 

pinkshoes

A friend of mine trained her dog by playing firework noises on a daily basis, starting really quietly then getting louder and louder. Their dog no longer cares when fireworks go off and ignores them. It took a couple of months!

If you have Spotify, there is "Dog Firework Training" that has several levels of exposure.

A few videos on YouTube too!

sheramber

A thunder shirt can be bought- a snug fitting shirt that resembles getting a hug.

Or you can use a child's tshirt, depending on the size of the dog.  

There are various remedies that claim to help but like all these things what helps one dog doesn't work for another.
 
My friend found that Adaptil didn't work for her dog who was anxious in the car, but a Pet Remedy ( similar to Adaptil )  collar did work.  While not fireworks it shows that there is not a one size fits all.

 So that might help. The advantage of the collar is it with dog all the time.   You can also get a spray to spray thebed. 

Can you cover the table with a heavy cover to hang down so his bed is under it?

Playing classical music can help some dogs. A Google search for 'calming music for dogs fireworks" will give some suggestions.

calleyw

There is something called a happy hoodie.  This goes around the head and ears.  I have heard they are suppose to help with loud noises. I have seen a groomer use them on youtube when she is drying the dogs as they don't like the sound of it

madlyn

I will give playing firework noises a go and I will go and buy a throw to cover her bed with.

SensibleSarah

I tried everything last year with my dog (a rescue that I adopted last summer) as she is absolutely petrified of fireworks and I get them going off locally pretty much daily from about now until New Year where I live. This year, I've started early and am going on all fronts! Adaptil is plugged in already, calming tablets being given daily, zyklene for as we get closer to Nov 5th as I want to save them for when it gets really bad, thundershirt at the ready, covered crate for her (although she only ever wants to be next to me when fireworks are going off) and I've been playing firework sounds for weeks already (she's not daft though - she definitely knows when it's coming from the telly or speaker and when it's 'real'.). 
I've already heard a few fireworks in the distance over the last few nights and she hasn't reacted to them, so I'm hoping she won't be as bad this year. It gets to the stage where she won't go for a wee after about lunchtime because she's too scared to go into the garden until the next morning - which gave her a bladder infection last year. 

madlyn

SensibleSarah said:

I tried everything last year with my dog (a rescue that I adopted last summer) as she is absolutely petrified of fireworks and I get them going off locally pretty much daily from about now until New Year where I live. This year, I've started early and am going on all fronts! Adaptil is plugged in already, calming tablets being given daily, zyklene for as we get closer to Nov 5th as I want to save them for when it gets really bad, thundershirt at the ready, covered crate for her (although she only ever wants to be next to me when fireworks are going off) and I've been playing firework sounds for weeks already (she's not daft though - she definitely knows when it's coming from the telly or speaker and when it's 'real'.). 
I've already heard a few fireworks in the distance over the last few nights and she hasn't reacted to them, so I'm hoping she won't be as bad this year. It gets to the stage where she won't go for a wee after about lunchtime because she's too scared to go into the garden until the next morning - which gave her a bladder infection last year. 

I tried zyklene last year and it had not effect. apart from doing a few things with her surroundings, I'm pretty sure I will end up at the vets for something stronger for her.

Mercenary

My old dog used to try to dig to Australia or find a 'safe' place under a covered table or similar and got very stressed with firework explosions. I started to play very loud rock music during random times during the year before the season and again when the firework explosions began (in addition to using the Adaptil), plus I also drew all curtains/ closed blinds as she didn't like the flashes either.
 Admittedly not everyone else wanted the loud rock music at those times but the loud percussive nature of the music helped mask the explosions outside and she slowly got used to the idea that not all loud noises were frightening and they happened all through the year (the music). It didn't stop the fear completely, though, especially with those annoying random 'celebration' ones that go off during the year. 

My own opinion about pre-using the Adaptil, is that if you are already getting the animal used to the calming pheremones without the actual stressers happening, then it may not work properly when it's actually needed. Your mileage may vary though.

The only respite from the hideousness is when they go deaf and that really does help then.

sheramber

SensibleSarah said:

I tried everything last year with my dog (a rescue that I adopted last summer) as she is absolutely petrified of fireworks and I get them going off locally pretty much daily from about now until New Year where I live. This year, I've started early and am going on all fronts! Adaptil is plugged in already, calming tablets being given daily, zyklene for as we get closer to Nov 5th as I want to save them for when it gets really bad, thundershirt at the ready, covered crate for her (although she only ever wants to be next to me when fireworks are going off) and I've been playing firework sounds for weeks already (she's not daft though - she definitely knows when it's coming from the telly or speaker and when it's 'real'.). 
I've already heard a few fireworks in the distance over the last few nights and she hasn't reacted to them, so I'm hoping she won't be as bad this year. It gets to the stage where she won't go for a wee after about lunchtime because she's too scared to go into the garden until the next morning - which gave her a bladder infection last year. 

The sound of recorded fireworks is different to the actual noise, unless you can use  a very high powered system.

pipscat

We use a natural supplement called Nutracalm for our cats - works really well. We use it for various stressful things like fireworks and travelling in car etc they used to only sell via vets but i think you can buy them online now. 

HRH_MUngo

We used to live  in a terraced house with enclosed stairs and over the years had many cats.  Some disliked fireworks, others didn't mind.  I found the ones who got stressed by the fireworks were somewhat happier if I put them on the stairs, where it was dark and enclosed and they couldn't see outside.  I have no idea whether it would work for dogs.