Thunder/Fireworks
Thunder, lightening, and lots of hail. both Lily and Bear were so scard. They tried to climb all over me and then ran behind the couch. poor babies. I am now worried about this weekends fireworks and what to do. Snowy could care less LOL she just looked out the windows and watched. Is there angthing I can do for them to make it easier? |
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| I also dread the fourth of July! You can try some bach's rescue remedy. Although it says two or three drops, I use double that!
I also found running a fan helps block out the boomers and try to not be out walking my dog at dark when the fireworks usually start. My dog also seems to seek out its crate which I keep away from the windows and partially cover the side with a cotton sheet. Looking forward to any more suggestions. Diane |
| I close the house up - A/C on and a fan. Also I keep the walk in closet door open for one scaredy cat, one likes to hide in her crate. Leaving the TV or stereo on will also help mute outside noises.
I also will use pharmaceuticals - especially since I have been told dogs can actually die from the fear of thunder and fireworks. And two of the boys will sit on the balcony with us and watch the fireworks over the lake.  |
Our trainer strongly suggests that under no condition do we cuddle, hug, tell him "it's OK" or anything of that nature. He says that will actually serve only to reinforce the behavior he is in when fireworks or thunder are present. You can get or make a CD of thunder and firework sounds and play it at low levels at first, gradually increasing the volume and eventually he will become more accustumed to the noise (hopefully.) Maybe the 1812 Overture will suffice. Nothing like a Canon or 2 to calm me down.  |
| i just saw on t.v about july 4th they said give your dog st. john wart |
| I suggest alcohol......for you, you'll need it. Bachs, also the pheromone dispenser you plug in.......Pet Comfort or some such. Ditto covering the windows, turning on TV, radio, fans, etc. In severe cases I close the bedroom doors thus making the hallway more soundproof and sit there with them. I read and they drool, shake and want to be inside my skin.
In no way comfort them. It reinforces their fear. You remain passive. |
| Chauncey doesn't have a problem with this, yet. Our OTB Lab was terrible esp. during his senior years. We hated 4th of July and New Years Eve.
I found that by turning up the sound on the TV or stereo LOUD and snuggling normally helped. He was rarely alone but I worried so much about those pop-up storms and did my best to get home and drown out the booms for him. We also had a neighbor's dog that was worse than Jake and he became a regular at our jam-fest during a storm.   |
| Windows closed...A/C on...fans running...Twilight Zone marathon on loud!!! |
| Just wanted to say I feel sooo sad for dogs that these kind of noises bother. None of my dogs have been bothered by loud noises but last week seen my DD's border collie go through this and I so wanted to pick her up and cuddle and comfort her ... but I didn't but oh I wanted to |
| I'm thinking this year, in addition to what I normally do which I already posted, I might try giving them a long term treat...like a bully stick or everlasting ball. Maybe keep them too busy to be worried about the noise?
Diane |
| I already have marrow bones in the freezer for this.
Great idea! |
Some of my animals get a little scared it seems but just like humans, they just have to deal with it ...........as I would make my toddler, as I have to if I'm home alone. I think I'd be more stressed if they acted crazy, but I don't think wanting to be close to their humans and hiding is bad at all. Just go to sleep, and I'm sure they will too  |
| I've had one dog who wasn't bothered by the noise and light flashes......she was a foster dog here for a short time. She was fascinated by the whole thing and would sit and watch. How relaxing that was! |
Joahaeyo wrote: Some of my animals get a little scared it seems but just like humans, they just have to deal with it ...........as I would make my toddler, as I have to if I'm home alone. I think I'd be more stressed if they acted crazy, but I don't think wanting to be close to their humans and hiding is bad at all. Just go to sleep, and I'm sure they will too
Well actually dogs can and do literaly die from this fear, it is not something to take lightly. |
| I would think that dogs that DIED from that, showed more signs than those that were given in this thread. Just seems like people mention this fear a lot, and those that are serious .....have a more traumatic reaction from being uncontrollable, shaking, and nothing can calm them. |
| I think with a puppy you can prevent it by never reacting to it or coddling them if they show a fearful or anxious reaction. With a rescue who knows how previous owners dealt with it, it's often the owner who helps the dog become neurotic about things like storms and fireworks.
If the dog already has the issue I think something like rescue remedy or an anxiety med from your vet to have on hand for those occasions is the best idea. |
| I just did a Google search and found an interesting site of Patricia McConnell, a certified Annimal Behaviorist. There is a link to an enlightening article concerning this problem. |
Joahaeyo wrote: I would think that dogs that DIED from that, showed more signs than those that were given in this thread. Just seems like people mention this fear a lot, and those that are serious .....have a more traumatic reaction from being uncontrollable, shaking, and nothing can calm them.
From what I have heard some of them just would hide (no shaking) and still died. I won't take chances. |
| I credit the puppy class trainer with the no effect for my last four dogs,
2 shepherds and 2 OES, different times throughout the puppy class he would turn on very loud noises and the pups got so used to it they would not react |
We dont have to worry about this for the 4th, but it is a problem at the State Fair...where we and our dogs are practically at ground zero for a HUGE professional display on the last night of the show  It seems like every year it gets louder and louder, and I'm actually just about as freaked by it as my dogs! I think that last year I was shaking and drooling right along with them!   Weve considered removing them from the grounds at that time, but since my in-laws (which would really be the only place we could take them) live so close to the fairgrounds, there isnt really that much of a point.
I think that this year, Ill try the rescue remedy for the dogs, and maybe Sheepie Boss's alcohol suggestion for me |
| I would think if there actually were any deaths due to thunder or fireworks it probably resulted from the reaction of the dog and their possibly bolting or running into traffic and being hit by an auto. |
baileesdad wrote: I would think if there actually were any deaths due to thunder or fireworks it probably resulted from the reaction of the dog and their possibly bolting or running into traffic and being hit by an auto.
absolutely not!! I was at a seminar with Suzanne Clothier when I first heard about this phenomenon. Her own mother refused to medicate her dog (who had noise phobias) and the dog died from his issues related to thunder. It is one thing she says you shouldn't rely on training alone to rectify. |
kerry wrote: baileesdad wrote: I would think if there actually were any deaths due to thunder or fireworks it probably resulted from the reaction of the dog and their possibly bolting or running into traffic and being hit by an auto. absolutely not!! I was at a seminar with Suzanne Clothier when I first heard about this phenomenon. Her own mother refused to medicate her dog (who had noise phobias) and the dog died from his issues related to thunder. It is one thing she says you shouldn't rely on training alone to rectify. What was the actual physical cause of death, I wonder? Heart failure? So very scary... |
ravenmoonart wrote: kerry wrote: baileesdad wrote: I would think if there actually were any deaths due to thunder or fireworks it probably resulted from the reaction of the dog and their possibly bolting or running into traffic and being hit by an auto. absolutely not!! I was at a seminar with Suzanne Clothier when I first heard about this phenomenon. Her own mother refused to medicate her dog (who had noise phobias) and the dog died from his issues related to thunder. It is one thing she says you shouldn't rely on training alone to rectify. What was the actual physical cause of death, I wonder? Heart failure? So very scary...I'd have to find my notes, but it convinced me to medicate the dog with the real issues. |
| Not to belabor the point, but, as I was searching the web today on this issue, there were a number of references to dogs hurt or killed while running off following either thunder or lightning. your "absolutely not" response may not be quite on the money. This is not to say that your memory of Suzanne Clothier's reference is incorrect, but it certainly is possible that a dog has been killed as a result of so called "Fear Flight." |
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