Hi there guys,

This is driving me mad. My three year old Bullmastiff is absolutely terrified of fireworks and I have been trying everything and a new behaviour pattern has emerged that is driving me nuts. I just want some reassurance from you guys and to see whether you can up with any ideas to help me.

I've tried putting him valium (not working) and the vet has suggested that we maybe try him on ACP which I'm reluctant to do as this will make him so out of it, which is a good thing and a bad thing.

I'm using the DAP diffuser and it's early days to say whether this is working yet but as yet nothing consoles him.

The desensitising CD is a no no because he freaks if he hears a firework going off on the radio or tv.

The new behaviour pattern is that he does not want to sleep in his sleeping quarters at night. He panics and freaks out howling and panting like crazy - completely stresed out. At the moment he isn't having any affect on the pup but I'm terrified that she will learn his antics from him.

During the day or evening if we're around we let him hide where he feels the safest and we ignore his antics so as not reassure that him that he has every right to be scared. But now he that he doesn't want to sleep in his sleeping quarters it is making life quite difficult. I have had to give in the last three nights because of the disturbance that he has been making late at night and I don't want to disturb the neighbours, but what if this turns into a bad habit. Okay at the moment he's completely stressed out but what if he learns that when he makes a fuss he's let into the front room to sleep????

Let me know what you think. Will he settle back down and return to sleeping where he should once the fireworks have let up??

Sarah
xx

Hi

Its probably not the best thing to do, but I'd take him up to bed with me. He will go back afterwards, but if he's that terrified of them, there's not a lot you can do quickly enough. I'd take my Dane up - as squashed as I would be, at least I'd get some sleep!

Good luck :)

From an early age we taught him to not go up the stairs and he has never tried it. He simpy does not have a clue when it comes to climbing the stairs and he's fully grown male Bullmastiff!!

I can't even attempt to lift him off the ground!! LOL

Sarah
xx

I agree with Chloe (gosh! ;) ) Either sleep with him in his quarters, or have him up with you. We had to do that with our lab who hated both fireworks and thunder, and it was the only way anyone got any sleep (though it's hard to sleep with a labrador trying to get under your pillow :rolleyes: !)

(Are you starting the de-sensitising CD too loud? If the noise bothers him, then the volume is too high. It should be set quiet enough for him to just notice it, but not be alarmed. As he becomes used to accept each volume, you very slightly increase it - taking a day or two at least over each volume change.)

I don't know if it would help with your older bullmastiff, but with a puppy, I used the clicker to help him realise fireworks weren't a threat. It came about by accident as I was using a clicker to house train. Success in the garden = click, treat. It was just before bonfire night and the d*)&^ local kids were letting them off all the time. So at the first loud bang I clicked and treated while the pup was still startled and hadn't reacted. Soon the pup was getting the idea, fireworks meant treats !! Now he comes running for his treats when he hears a firework LOL. This is so much better than my last dog who hid in a cupboard and shook for 4 weeks every year (and was on quiet life tablets).

My boy was given a double dose (for his size) of ACP before he was PTS, it didn't touch him. I have no idea what you can do now, apart from try a herbal remedy but i don't know how long that takes to kick in!
I used to use ACP on my old girl, she would sleep through it all.

Does anyone know of a good herbal remedy??

I don't know of a herbal apart from Valerian for general stress and anxiety but Homeopathic Phosphorus is good for fear of fireworks.

Kath.

Bach Flower Remedies - Rescue Remedy

This is used by a lot of horse riders, on themselves when nervous prior to a show and the horses, and is very highly recommended. Try it?

Try this link

hi

my dog was the same with hot air balloons he use to go frantic i personally would'nt take him up to bed with you , you'll have to stay downstairs with him put the tv on although i think acp tabs could take the edge off his nerves so they might be worth a try .

Newbreeder i use Valerian on all my dogs my bullmastiffs are outside in there kennels last night it started with the bombs going off they have been on Valerian for a few days now so i just up the drops plump up bedding fill water bowls give titbit and lock the doors and they sleep. the same with the house dogs one of the bulldogs gets a bit worried so up there dose put them in there cages cover over the top radio on and shut the door to the dog room and in no time they are all asleep. i have used Valerian for a number of years now and find it very good.

Yes, there is a remedy for this dog and all others, including those of mine, who are scared by fireworks.

ALL COMBINE TO BAN FIREWORKS, other than at Licensed, professionally organised (low bang!) public displays.

Angela Boyd