Fireworks and walks not a good combination
I am never sure how to handle her when she freeze out of fear. She just trembles. My first reaction is to soother her and tell her that all will be well, but most training class I have been to recommend not making a big deal out of things. Tonight she did not want to go forward or keep on the walk. I did not let her. I ended up pulling her a bit to get her to walk. Then we did some rally doodles to re-establish pace. But it was a miserable walk all in all. I pushed her beyond her comfort zone tonight but I think we needed to walk past the fireworks or the fireworks would have won. I am second guessing myself. Long term we need to work on noise distractions. I just don't think I will get her to be okay with fireworks. At home when she hears fireworks- she will seek her kennel or under my desk and be okay. Any advice on how to help here when we walk and encounter fireworks would be greatly appreciated. |
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| love to know the answer to this too. Lily is like that also. in the house I make no big deal or if it is thunder the music goes on. But what do you do on a walk.? Great question!!!! |
Becky - you did just fine. 
My basset Simon is the same way with fireworks and loud noises like gunshots (hunting seasons, not gangs). I have had to do the exact same thing on more than one occasion. I know Simon will never be comfortable with it, we just have to aim for having skills to cope. I revert back to the obedience/rally stuff too. He's comfortable with it and somewhat distracted from the sounds. We are just aiming at keeping him functional and not turning into a shaking hound all freaked out.  |
| You did well. The fireworks cannot win. No comforting, they need a stern hand and quick thinking to get their brain functioning again. Reverting to something they know "by heart" turns the brain on so you can move forward. The faster you can block that "fright" action the sooner they will be able ignore the distraction all together. "Mom has taught me I'm stronger than that noise, see me work. I'm not a baby anymore, I don't need comforting."
At home, if you can distract them before they go rushing to the kennel and put them through obedience actions, taking their mind away from the noise and into something they do "without thinking" that further blocks the unpleasant fireworks. Getting them out of the kennel once in would be more difficult but even better as they themselves can leave on their own showing more behavior modification. Cowering in the kennel would not be helpful to their overall progress. That seems contrary to the kennel is security.........but if there's a behavior you are trying to overcome, why let them hide and continue the behavior in their kennel. They have to move on. Now realize I have 4 cowards when it comes to fireworks. We've progressed to where I snap my fingers and they lay down around me instead of trying to crawl into my lap or drool all over me. One still has to put his head in a corner but that's far better than previous actions. Others also respond to my calls.........one would freeze in the shrubbery and not move, others would be digging to escape the yard. So even I still have room to help my gang. |
| I wish this website was here when I had my first two sheepies, they were scared silly with fireworks and thunder storms. I felt so badly, because I didn't know how to calm them.
Fortunately, nothing seems to bother Jenny and I hope it stays that way! |
| Thanks for the support. I was really unsure of myself and needed to know I was on the right track.
I am off for tonights walk - hopefully there will be no fireworks. |
| Oh I hate fireworks! Thunder is another. We had a crazy storm few days ago. Laika was shaking like a leaf. The boy as I like to call him didn't seem to fazed so every time it would clap thunder I would yell yeah! and clap my hands. Don't know if that helped not her for sure. It is hard but I try and ignore her. I just want to give her a great big hug.I do once it stops and she stops shaking. I have read to schools of thought ignore or attend to them. I just try really hard to be calm and not feel bad for her. |
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