animals and fireworks - tips?

ampersat · 07-02-2003, 09:03 PM

the neighborhood has already gotten started with the fireworks and the dogs are FREAKING OUT!!! anything i can do about keeping the dogs a little more calm during this time of explosions and screaming petes?

Sea Jypzee · 07-02-2003, 09:09 PM

I have a good friend in Beaverton who has to go to the Vet and get valium for her dog every year at this time.

1pump · 07-02-2003, 09:40 PM

My Lab loves the noise. But she can't figure out why there's no ducks to fetch. She looks around frantically for something to retrieve. I have to keep her away from firecrackers or she'll try to retrieve those. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]
I know a few people who have to sedate their dogs during thunderstorms etc. The vet should be able to help.

crabbait · 07-02-2003, 10:06 PM

1pump - Must be a lab thing. My lab and my brother's both love fireworks. I had to let Nick out to lay on the deck a few minutes ago so he could listen to the fireworks!

AtWorkALot · 07-03-2003, 03:30 AM

Maybe you should let your dog smoke a joint, so long as you can get a prescription from his vet.

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Rip'N'Lips · 07-03-2003, 05:45 AM

Put the dog in a small room away from windows if possible. Turn on a fan and the TV/Radio for noise, seems to work for me...

Rip'N'Lips

Silver Hilton · 07-03-2003, 06:40 AM

I had to get valium for my old dog as well. The vet recommended a longer term program of getting a tape of thunder and gunshot sounds and playing it periodically to desensitize them to the sound.

My poor old fish dog used to go absolutely bonkers on the fourth, and during thunderstorms. She was simply terrified. First dog I ever owned that was gunshy.

Silver Hilton · 07-03-2003, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AtWorkALot:
Maybe you should let your dog smoke a joint, so long as you can get a prescription from his vet.

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I think you should pour beer over her kibble, first.

Seriously, a cup of beer might calm her down. Most dogs like the taste. I'd suggest a stout or a porter.

pdxkevin · 07-03-2003, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rip'N'Lips:
Put the dog in a small room away from windows if possible. Turn on a fan and the TV/Radio for noise, seems to work for me...

Rip'N'Lips

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That is what has worked for us in the past. Old episodes of Lassie or the 101 Dalmations seems to do the trick. At least it keeps the rug rats from pestering the dog.

Herring Impaired · 07-03-2003, 08:11 AM

Our Blue Heeler puppy doesn't seem to mind the noise a bit. But I know that next year she'll probably be freaking out....

I really worried about our parrot last year, an African Grey. Turns out he'd sit in the window for hours and watch them!

I'll have to keep the "Doggie Downers" in mind for the dog next year....

SafetyChain · 07-03-2003, 01:49 PM

The better question is how do you get your dog to discharge during this time of terror. Once the firework stands go up, my dog stays plugged until at least three days afterward, when all the booms are gone. Man that's gotta hurt after 10 or so days :shocked: He will go outside but won't leave the security of the deck. Nor will he relieve himself in the house

Hogmaster · 07-03-2003, 02:12 PM

Amp,

Just put the dogs in a room playing Barney and Britney Spears tunes. After about 4 hours of that, they'll BEG to go outside and won't mind the fireworks at all! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Safety Chain - If only you could get him to eat a prune!

[ 07-03-2003, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

GutshotApe · 07-03-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Hilton:
Seriously, a cup of beer might calm her down. Most dogs like the taste.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Back in my misspent college days I shared a house with 5 other students. One day we had a kegger and put a bowl beneath the tap (keg lying on side on back porch)to catch the overflow. Roommate had a golden retriever...and everytime I went to fill up my glass the dog was there lapping up beer from the bowl. After a while I noticed the dog was lying in the bushes, apparently OD'd. That dog loved beer.

24 on/ 48 off · 07-03-2003, 02:35 PM

Go buy yourself some generic Benadryl. For dogs <50 lbs, 25 mg should do it. For bigger dogs, you can give 'em 50 mg.

Good night!

Try dosing them about 2 hours prior to dark.

--spud-- :smile:

salty dog · 07-07-2003, 06:23 PM

Not a funny topic for those dogs and other animals that are bothered. Had a great little setter that I hunted pheasants over one year. The following fourth we went to a party and put the dog outside in her kennel never thinking there would be a problem. Seems the neighbors had a party while we were gone and their gala event included several hundred dollars of fireworks. After that, I couldn't get the dog near a gun. Even a slamming door sent her running. Suggest you tranquilise the dog. Cost me under $5 a year.

My current dog is fine, but I'll never confine her to a kennel where she can't escape the noise if she so desires.

Hoosier Daddy · 07-08-2003, 01:39 PM

I still don't understand how my dog, who hunts and is fine with guns, can be so darned scared of firecrackers, etc....