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NFT: Anyone else's dog afraid of fireworks?

pjcas18 : 7/4/2015 9:23 pm
first 4th of July with the dog, and set off some fireworks in the backyard and couldn't find the dog when we were done.

She was wedged under my wife and my bed (she never goes under there) and she's shaking like a leaf/shivering. Won't come out. And she's slinking back further under the bed when I come near her (I was the one who set off the fireworks)

obviously had no idea or I wouldn't have done them at all, how do I calm her down?

just let her calm herself down?
Dog I had as a kid  
Steve in South Jersey : 7/4/2015 9:28 pm : link
was very afraid of both fireworks and thunder.
It will pass  
gidiefor : Mod : 7/4/2015 9:28 pm : link
neverfear
Literally every dog ever.  
BrettNYG10 : 7/4/2015 9:31 pm : link
.
just left  
TommyWiseau : 7/4/2015 9:32 pm : link
Off to work and had to leave my dog at home by himself. He is shaking/panting like there is no tomorrow. I feel bad, trying to get my mother to go over there and stay with him
I was so proud of myself too  
pjcas18 : 7/4/2015 9:36 pm : link
the fireworks were awesome. Maine has legit fireworks, not like NH or RI. I had no idea, until our trip there two weeks ago. Not a bad backyard show.

everything except bottle rockets for some reason. roman candles yes, bottle rockets no. I don't get it, but whatever, not the point.

Now I feel like a jackass, she still won't move from under the bed and I definitely don't want to force her.

I'll just let her be for a while. even her favorite treats wouldn't lure her out.
She will calm down on her own.  
Diver_Down : 7/4/2015 9:38 pm : link
Give her a safe space with lots of blankets/bedding to cuddle into. Turn on a radio with soft music.

As a side note, if you want to enjoy the Fourth with fireworks, leave it to the professionals. Those that want to witness the spectacle will seek out the venue. Many are affected by fireworks. As you learned, pets do not like the loud noises. Many pets are lost as some will bolt and run. Also, there are many veterans that suffer from PTSD. Loud booming noises might have unintended consequences.
Yup. Both of our labs are petrified. Cats cannot be found.  
RDJR : 7/4/2015 9:51 pm : link
We stay home on the 4th because of the animals. Really selfish of us that we don't think of all of our creatures when we decide to create unusual noise to celebrate our nation's independence.
Supposedly more dogs run away  
Peter from NH (formerly CT) : 7/4/2015 10:40 pm : link
On the 4th than any other day due to fireworks. Mine hate fireworks and thunder.
Our Last Lab Bernie...  
Jim in Tampa : 7/4/2015 10:43 pm : link
Was a lab rescue dog and absolutely petrified of fireworks.

We got our current lab Eugene from a breeder who raises hunting dogs. When all the pups are about 5 - 6 weeks old the breeder takes them out in a field (along with their mom and a few other hunting dogs) and gets the pups used to the sound of gunfire.

The result is that Eugene doesn't even pay attention to fireworks or thunder.
my dog loves them  
jimmypage : 7/4/2015 10:44 pm : link
I've had dogs that hated them though and it is sad. Last night I had to lock her up because she was always in the way when lighting.
Mine is also.....  
John M in Albany : 7/4/2015 10:49 pm : link
A little black lab that is timid to start with but loud noises are the worst. We came home early from the lake to make sure he was doing OK. We also closed all the windows and turned on the A/C so it would be less traumatizing.

The shit we do for our pets/family members.....
Most dogs I've ever seen hate them  
illmatic : 7/4/2015 10:54 pm : link
Mine also hates thunder. Probably even more than fireworks.
Well I had no idea  
pjcas18 : 7/4/2015 10:59 pm : link
and thunder has never seemed to bother her and she's not an unusually timid dog.

Oh well, still under the bed.
My parents dog, when I was living there  
Jim in Scranton : 7/4/2015 10:59 pm : link
The house got hit by lightening and ever since, she has been petrified of any type of loud noise. It gets so bad, she has to take anxiety medicine an hour before a thunderstorm.
My dogs were barking to go out on the porch  
MookGiants : 7/4/2015 11:31 pm : link
so they could try to figure out where the loud noises were coming from
I have a rescue lab mix...  
feelflows : 7/4/2015 11:48 pm : link
a few nights ago during the thunderstorm she tried to claw her way through the door, ruined the nice wood trim.. tonight she actually tore the trim off of the door.

The thing is, I am not pissed, I just feel badly for her. The summer SUCKS for her, between the fireworks and thunder.
Not sure if already mentioned  
tbonfig : 7/4/2015 11:52 pm : link
But look into thunderjacket. Helps calm the dog down. Two rescued labs love it at my house.
Can confirm  
CromartiesKid21 : 7/5/2015 12:05 am : link
husky going bonkers
Doggie Valium works very well.......  
Simms11 : 7/5/2015 12:08 am : link
can get it from the Vet. It's not actually Valium but another similar pill. Give them a room, like a bathroom or tight quarters where they feel secure too.
Every dog is different  
Giantology : 7/5/2015 6:26 am : link
you can also try training  
bc4life : 7/5/2015 6:49 am : link
to address dog's fear. start with small fireworks very far away and then work with the dog so they can get closer.
this.  
mikeygiants : 7/5/2015 8:44 am : link
.
Link - ( New Window )
One of my sister's dogs is half Black Lab, half Rottweiler.  
Klaatu : 7/5/2015 9:31 am : link
Looks like the baddest dog on the planet, but he folds like a cheap suit from thunder. He likes to hunker down in their bathtub during a storm.

Their other dog is a Boston Terrier. Absolutely no fear of anything.
Thunder shirts  
madgiantscow009 : 7/5/2015 10:07 am : link
work miracles for our dog.
For my English Cocker Spaniel  
Watson : 7/5/2015 10:10 am : link
the 4th of July is the worse day of the year.

He's never been bothered by thunderstorms no matter how sever but on the 4th - total meltdown.

He's never found any humor, that it's his Englishness and time to get over it!

...  
26.2 : 7/6/2015 12:10 pm : link
my dog doesn't bat an eye to thunder or fireworks unless he's sleeping and it wakes him up. only dog I've ever been around that's like that. he's a black mouth cur (more or less a hound dog).
My sister in law's lab used to run up and bark at them.  
Peter in Atl : 7/6/2015 12:52 pm : link
My dog isn't a fan. We put her kennel in the basement bathroom during our display.
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