Bad 4th

[djheitz]

We've been lucky to have dogs that aren't bothered by the noise at all. In fact, until we moved, the fireworks were done less than a block away and they sat out with us and watched. Our only dog to need any kind of happy pill was our Weim, but that was due to the number of people at our house, not the fireworks.

 

[Chiefsmom]

Poor Buster! :( Hope he's calmed town after his traumatizing fourth! Chief wasn't sure what to make of all that noise either! Hugs to Buster in hopes he's doing much better today!

 

[WeasleRocky]

So sorry about Buster, hope the anxiety is completley clear of his lil body... I know Rocky had a hard time also, not really kinda anxious, just kinda whimpering like ' What the freak was that!!!!!!!!!'... the guy in back of us had some illegal fireworks and was letting them off as quick as he could light them, so they freaked Rocky out bad... thank goodness I was here for him... not long after I brought Rocky in, the fire marshall was there at the guys house... it doesn't pay...

 

[buffylvangel]

Valium

I have to give Belle valium for thunderstorms and fireworks. Without it, I think she'd have a heart attack.

 

[Bentleydad]

This was Bentley's first year for fireworks. His reaction was very similar to Buster's. Since thunderstorms don't faze Bentley one iota, I figured that he would be fine with fireworks. I could not have been more wrong. Our neighbors were having a display and the first one they set off sent Bentley running. I have never seen hime so scared. We took him inside immediately and his heart was pounding so hard that I feared he might have a heart attack. He would not go out to potty and is still reticent about going. I don't like the idea of sedating him but I don't want him to go through that again. To make matters worse, someone else was setting fireworks off the next night also.

 

[kayboxer]

This was Bentley's first year for fireworks. His reaction was very similar to Buster's. Since thunderstorms don't faze Bentley one iota, I figured that he would be fine with fireworks. I could not have been more wrong. Our neighbors were having a display and the first one they set off sent Bentley running. I have never seen hime so scared. We took him inside immediately and his heart was pounding so hard that I feared he might have a heart attack. He would not go out to potty and is still reticent about going. I don't like the idea of sedating him but I don't want him to go through that again. To make matters worse, someone else was setting fireworks off the next night also.

I love the 4th, but it makes me mad when people do fireworks the next day too. We hear a few go off, but not many thank goodness. Buster FINALLY went out without being coaxed last night. For the first time in two days he actually barked! He is back to his old self now but it took two days. That was very traumatic. It was bad enough with regular fireworks, but the neighbor's kids made sparkler bombs and set off M80's (VERY loud and yes illegal). That just sent him over the edge. Thank goodness he is his old self now. If I have to, I will send him to the people who board him next year as they live out in the quiet country. I am going to talk to the vet about a seditive first though.

 

[SweetCody]

So sorry he had such a bad day. That is just no fun at all.

 

[suzyqdogsmom]

It is very upsetting when they are so afraid, I've had dogs like that and a light tranquilizer is better than them being terrified. I'm lucky with goofy SuzyQ when she hears loud thunder, fireworks or gun shots she runs to the door and barks like crazy with her hair all up. We always tell her what a ferocious guard dog she is.

 

[catdogbird]

Thank goodness, so far Bailey is okay with fireworks, thunder and gun shots. However, our Aussie mix is TERRIFIED of loud noises (we live in the country where people seem to relish taking pot shots and exploding things on a whim). She absolutely quakes and sticks to me like a second skin. Several times she has damaged screen doors in a frantic effort to get into the house when the noise begins. She is so afraid of loud noises that we've got her on Prozac. Distraction hasn't worked with her at all. This past week I added a homeopathic remedy to her food, which seemed to help her even further. What really helped was the fact that there weren't many close-by firecrackers! (The more distant, professional displays aren't a problem since the drugs.)

I will never understand the need that some have to make loud noises, totally disregarding the well-being of people and animals in the area.