Hi, i need to draw on champdoggers knowledge, opinions and experiences. As you probably know i have 2 dogs, a 20 month border collie and a 6 1/2 month old golden retriever. Neither have ever shown any sign of fear about fireworks so far. Both have been outside when fireworks have been going off about an hour away, as there was a weekly display there. Megan the collie even went for a lead walk last year whewn fireworks were going off all over the place, but she didn't bat an eyelid. Ellie the retriever is very noise activated and barks and the slightest sound usually but this hasn't happened with fireworks yet. I know that a fear of fireworks can develop as the dog gets older as my friend's collie gets progressively worse every year, yet she never used to be scared when she was younger. I know what to do with a dog that is afraid of fireworks, but what should i do with one that isn't?
It sounds like a silly question really, but more specifically should i take my dogs outside when fireworks are going off? Ellie is still very much being toilet trained so when she needs to go i can't really make her wait. I don't walk in the dark anymore so if they go out at all it will be in an enclosed garden, and they will probably be with me. I don't want to make a big thing about it and create a fear. What would you do?

Hi Lucyandmeg

I too am fortunate in having had (and have) dogs that were unafraid of fireworks. Notably my Shepherd (pts last year) was totally unafraid throughout her life. We sometimes did a road walk when some fireworks were going off. My 10 month old GSD is not afraid, and I expect that we will walk her at some point when some fireworks are going off (when you know how the occasional one is going off here and there). I wouldn't however take her out at the height of a very close display, I wouldn't want to overdo it. IMO I would keep on just as you are, and make it no big deal. One of my other dogs isnt afraid but will sometimes bark at them, but we just walk on, no worries.

Kat.

Just now we get the odd one or two fireworks and Morse is OK with them, just pricks his ears and stares off towards the noise. We keep him on lead at night now in case of a bolt, and on the 5th we wont be out at night and Ill keep the windows covered up. Im prepared for a change in his attitude once the locals really get going.

I not looking forward to 5th nov, everytime Toby hears a firework go of he goes mad, think he's protecting the house because if we are out walking him and they go of he looks but is'nt so bothered.

Heidi

We had the first lot of fireworks go off this weekend and i wasn't ready for it!!
I ran to the kennels to put the dogs away, just incase they got scared, they don't normally bother but they are normally in the house with us, wehen i got to the kennels the dog were all sitting in the run watching them, even the puppy. So luckily for me i don't have much to worry about.
I think you are prbably doing the right thing, by not making a fuss, but if you are worrried, we used to have a whippet that was really scared, so we just used to turn the tv up quite loud to hide the noise, that seemed to work, and the neightbours didn't mind!!!
Karen.

I am, as usual, having MAJOR problems with the fireworks. The fireworks have been going off for nearly three weeks around my house and it's not the occassional one either. My boy is absolutely terrified of them and any noise that sounds in the slightest bit like a firework sets him off.

Last night he was the worst that I'd ever seen him. He was trembling so bad you could hear his teeth chattering and his breathing. His trembling was so bad that he was shaking the whole settee!!

He normally goes and hides when he's anxious about noises but not last night it was all too much for him. He completely lost the plot and he came to us for reassurance, but, as usual we blanked him so as to not reassure him that he is acting in the right way. But what a state!! It's really unsual for him to come to us too. He's normally rigid from fear in his usual hiding place.

I really feel sorry for him at the moment and he's got a long way to go yet as fireworks round our way go off for about six or seven weeks and sometimes they don't stop until after Christmas as they are so easy for people to get hold of this time of year.

It's making me really angry that people can let them off where ever and when ever they want to. They just don't have any consideration for other people and their pets.

Hi all-this goes out to 'new breeder' (mostly). You might try using a DAP (Dog Appeasment Pheramone) for the firework problem. There is a realy good article in Dogs Today about them and I've been recommending them to people for a while now. Its like a plug in air-freshener thingy, but it releases pheremones that help to calm the dog down. I always say to people to plug it in at the beginning of October and unplug it after Nov 5th and the results can be quite dramatic. Also, if that doesn't help, perhaps you could try using Valerian or Gelsemium(I think its called!). These are herbal remedys that also seem to work.
Good Luck-let us all know how it goes.

Ali :)

Hi 'mentalcat', that was my next plan of action. My vet has recommended the DAP diffuser too. Even if I plug it in now it should have the desired on him as we have a long way to go before the fireworks stop.

hi new breeder, what mental cat has suggested is a good idea but have you also heard of the desensitising cd which was also recommended in dogs today. i have seen it on sale in pets at home for about a fiver i think? and have seen messages on the board saying so, and have heard it can be quite effective. if i get problems with mine i will certainly use it. i just ignore it all at the moment and he seems to be ok but i do sympathise as it is the same in my area. the fireworks have started and will keep going now till christmas. hope this helps tracey

Hi 'smotyn', we have considered this as an option and myself and my vet have ruled this one out as a no go. He is so sensitive to any type of noise we think it would simply antagonise the problem. If he hears fireworks on the telly or radio it drives him nuts. We had a tree surgeon out the back of our house and one of the branches snapped and sounded like a firework and off he went to his place of hiding to not come out until morning!

Hi,
Bess always gets excited by fireworks. She loves them! As a pup we walked her round the village to get her used to them as there are stupid kids letting them off at all times of the year here so I didn't want a big problem. I always carry on as normal and talk to her in a happy cheerful voice like they're something to be welcomed. I never ignore her though as I think it must make her feel like she's done something wrong. If I was you, as you're doing so well, I'd just carry on as normal and treat them like it's no big deal. :)

Kath.