Bad 4th

[kayboxer]

This 4th of July wasn't that great for my Buster. He was absolutely terrified. Shaking, heavy panting, of course he wouldn't go out to potty so he held it. I tried everything but I know he had to be miserable. I've never seen a dog be affected that bad. Roxy's always been scared but she will at least go potty and then run in. Nothing compared to Buster. I truely think he had anxiety attacks, it was horrible and I felt terrible for him. I literally had to carry him out this morning and he still wouldn't go! I had to sit out there with him for 30 minutes before he would calm down enough to potty (it was quiet too). I'm still having to force him out because he is still afraid although there are no fireworks today. Next year I've got to ask the vet for something to calm him down, I don't think he or I can go through that again. :(

 

[ladyluck_t]

There is a good way to teach them not to be afraid, but it takes time.
First off it is easy if you have alot of thunderstorms around unlike here in NM :rolleyes:

What you do when you hear the sound is jump up and act like this is the greatest thing in the world, play tag, get excited, jump, clap and laugh, .......make a total fool of yourself. Make it like musical chairs kinda thing....with lots of laughing and fun. Then when he starts getting into it, you stop ask for a sit, give a treat.....and repeat at the next boom. what you want to accomplish is that every time he hears a big boom it is "PLAY TIME" big time start slowly, then build up. Also you get the added bonus of him learning to stop play when asked I love the 2-for-one trainings

you should do the same about getting him into the yard, just make a game of it, start inside and get him excited, then run outside and act like there is no difference.......play, make lots of noises, be the most exciting thing in the world. His fear will go away, just be sure not to cater to the fear, because you are then telling him he is right to be afraid....

good luck!

 

[neecy911]

Thats too bad for your baby..but I do agree with Ladyluck...make it a game for him. We have had to do that with lightening storms and the airplanes that fly overhead. We get them really excited and playful then they get used to the noises over time.

 

[kayboxer]

I tried the game idea yesterday, I tried everything I could think of. It didn't work. He is not afraid during thunderstorms and we've had a lot (along with tornados). Those don't bother him, he will even go outside in the rain. Yesterday, I would finally get him out and someone would shoot one off and he would run for the door, shaking and panting. I tried treats, toys, everything. He wouldn't even play inside. He just sat by me or hid in his crate. I think some dogs just don't like loud noises like that I guess. Poor guy. :(

 

[auntthelm]

Poor Buster. Around here it seems like the 4th of July starts about 2 weeks before the 4th and goes a week or so after. So many people buy illegal fireworks that yesterday sounded like a war zone. Thankfully Roxy didn't seem fazed by the sounds.

 

[bucca]

poor buster not much of a happy 4th for him poor baby. my parents dog used to have to be sedated with thunderstorms and 4th of july, very mild tranq but it worked. spanky wasnt happy either with the noise.

 

[kayboxer]

poor buster not much of a happy 4th for him poor baby. my parents dog used to have to be sedated with thunderstorms and 4th of july, very mild tranq but it worked. spanky wasnt happy either with the noise.

That's what I'm going to discuss with my vet next year. I would rather use a mild seditive than have him go through that again.

 

[Mama's Boys]

Poor Buster, I'm sorry to hear that the fireworks were so traumatic for him (and you). I agree- definitely talk to your vet about a mild sedative for next year. Hugs to Buster.

 

[silly24boxer]

poor buster

I play the game with Gauge too. We were walking and the kids let off a firework Gauge and I chased them. He was really excited about chasing the kids. Normaly he runs for cover to my room and lays on his gaint pillow. When the fireworks are going he will look up at me to see my reaction. Therefore if I ignore the fireworks and him, he thinks everything is ok and goes back to what he was doing. I guess he is saying if she doesn't care about it why should I.

 

[CosmoH]

Awww, poor guy. Lance was ok until the husband set off some firecrackers in the back yard. He got so nervous he broke out in hives. We gave him some benadryl and he calmed down/hives went away.