My 4 yr old BT seems a bit out of sorts today, i.e. not really eating, not bouncing about and not even getting very excited about going for his walks. He also has a touch of the "runs" which I only noticed today. Over the last few days or so there have been a lot of fireworks going off (day and night) round about where we live and where we go for our walk. The dog doesn't bark or cower but he just sticks very close by my side instead of running around and I'm sure its the noise from the bangers that are causing his minor distress. I don't really want to cart him off to the vets if it's something that will pass after 5 November but its not like him not to want his dinner or to go out. Anyone else's dog doing the same?

CG

Has he been like this before because of Fireworks, if not I would take him to the vet, me being me I would probable take him anyway. Is he drinking? If not take him sooner rather than later.

Thanks for replying - I've only had him 2 months so I don't know if he's been upset before by fireworks. He has eaten a bit today and he is drinking OK but he just seems a bit off colour. I agree I'll see how he is tomorrow and if I think he's a bit off I'll run him round to the vets for a check. Actually, now I think about it, yesterday I stopped him eating a mouldy old bone that he found on the playing fields and this morning he found it and finished it off!! Perhaps its just upset his system. I'll just keep an eye on him and see how he goes over next 24 hours.

CG

quite a few dogs get stressed by fireworks you can get calmer tablets fromthe vet that help.
if he's still like it after the fireworks or it gets worse then i'd take him to the vet

Hi ,i have asked for help here too,Lola was terrified of the fireworks , and shook so much i could hear her teeth chattering ,the advise i got was not to make a fuss or comfort her..(easier said than done )but we have been trying to distract her ..no way is she falling for that one,she does as you say ,she just sits as close to us as she can,and is on edge the whole time and straining to listen for more loud noises,she then starts to pant very quickly,she is not as bad as she was at first ,but its bad enough for me to take her to the vets ,i am going to take her tomorrow ..i dont want to give her drugs ,but heaven knows what she will be like by the 5th of nov Bye Sue & Lola xx good luck

i would say the more you fuss and panick the worse he will get,he will sence this and get worse,and being a bt he should be like my stafford excited,out going etc,so just turn the tv up and just treat him as you normally do,if you pet him and make a fuss your basically telling him its good to act in this way and your rewarding him for behavior you don't want.i've put this principle into action as soon as i got any of my animals,i have 4 cats and a staffie and none of them are remotely bothered about fireworks.i found this out from reading a book called the dog listner,its a fantastic book,it tells you how to become the alpha of the house hold and therefore the dog will take your lead.
hope you get the problem sorted.
cheers vicky

Thanks Vicky and everyone. I'm happy to say that Cops is back his normal self, I think he just had an off day, although I do still think he is quite nervous about the bangs of the fireworks. I still take him the same route for a walk and just ignore the noise and he is now doing the same. He doesn't seem at all distressed now although he doesn't wander far from me at the moment. Thanks for your recommendation of the book. I intend to read it as we still have one or two doggie issues to sort out.

CG