I have just had a call from a friend, who has a yorkshire terrier which is frightened of fireworks and gunfire. A new clay pigeon shooting club has just opened very close to where she lives. Speaking to the vet, today she was told you can get tapes of recorded fireworks or gunshot noises. You start by playing them so quietly only the dog can hear, then over a few weeks you turn up the sound until the dog becomes used to the noise and thinks this is normal. She has asked me if anyone might know where to get these tapes, do they work, has anyone any experience of using them? At the moment her dog is on valium every Sunday, as the Clay Shooting club starts at 7:30am and the noise goes on until 5:30pm.

Try Roger Mugford's Company of Animals at Chertsey.
I have a CD of the various noises but can't even play it on low level
as Hannah goes frantic. I dread fireworks and thunderstorms.
Their are Homeopathic remedies that can help such as rescue remedy
and Skullcap & Valerian tablets.

Pam

Denes nerve tablets seem to be working with my lot and there is a liquid dog calmer made by wendals herbs which is brilliant.

In my area Fireworks are starting already, in fact they went on well into the New Year, and occasionally all year. I am very lucky that my lot in common with most of their breed are not afraid of them, but they do 'Alert' at first until they have gone off several times. they will rush out barking into the Garden, but when out take no one jot of Notice. My first dog a Groenendael was terrrified of them, and would be a bad of nerves weeks after the last ones! I think they should be banned, and that organised displays should have to post notices in advance.

I agree their should be organised firework displays only - no general sale to
the public.
Last year Hannah wouldn't go out in the back garden when it was dark.
Some evenings the fireworks started before 6 p.m. and she wouldn't eat
her supper.
The Millenium night was aweful - fireworks went of till gone 3 a.m. in this
area.
In panic Hannah opens doors that aren't locked and has climbed in the bath
and in the en-suite shower and literally climbs the walls scratching them.
Has tried to get in the cupboard too. She'd go beserk crated.

In California there is no sale of fireworks to the Public except for Sparklers there is just the public displays where you can go and watch them going off.

Friends daughter came over for 5 wks last yr and was amazed when we took her to the shops and garden centers etc where she could buy fireworks and let them off at home - she brought some rockets which a local farmer let us light in a field of his FAR away from my parrots and dogs. She got a big kick out of it and the airline allowed her to take the empty casings back with her to take to school for a 'show & Tell' lesson.

I totally agree they should be save for Organised offical events not on general sale.

Hi,

I too feel that fireworks should only be used at organised events and that the public should not be able to buy them at will.

Being a ex-nurse I have seen the damage people have suffered at the hands of fireworks and it is not pleasent.

Karen

I totally agree, fireworks should not be sold in shops or garden centres, our local garden centre, sells pets (very good condition etc - got my guineapigs from there ) but last year started selling fireworks!!! Just such a contradiction and I felt so annoyed.

It's all about money, money, money.

Dog and pet owners are ignored pretty much when it comes to the damage firworks can do both physically and mentally.

Does anyone know if fireworks in Canada were banned, except for organised displays, or whether they have just never had them on sale to the public?

Try dropping pans, lids etc on the floor - especially if tiled as this gets dogs used to sudden noises. I don't have to do it deliberatly as am somewhat accident prone and my lot seem unbothered by fireworks (unlike me) and last year sat outside on their platform to watch.

Christine

Hi Polly, have you thought of trying Bach flower Rescue Remedy. 3-4 drops in water. It may help. Using party poppers (in a controlled way) may get them used to a loud bang.
Lorna