Elka is not a dog bothered by fireworks (she'll lie to me about having to go out so she can try to see them. Protip: we can't see them from our house), but I get that a lot of dogs are. I'm surprised Elka isn't, really. This dog used to be afraid of plastic bags, and depending, they can still make her skittery. But she wants to watch thunderstorms and fireworks. Sure, Elka. It's just how she keeps us on our toes, with no way to tell what she'll love and what she'll hate sometimes.
Dogster ran an article this week about 6 tips to help your dog survive this Fourth of July. Obviously, my posting it today precludes you doing a "dress rehearsal", but you still have the time to get some extra exercising in, and to keep some of the human food onion and other dog toxin free to be utilized as high-value treats!
One of my coworkers uses a Thundershirt
for storms; I don't know if they also use it for fireworks, but the Thundershirt works well for them and their dog. I "know" a couple of other people online who successfully use the Thundershirt for that type of anxiety. Amazon only has 10 left in stock of the one I linked, so either their word of mouth is fantastic, they work, or some combination of both. There is some evidence that they do have efficacy; I don't imagine the placebo effect much matters when you're talking about dog. This link doesn't have pictures, but does have the mechanics of using an Ace bandage to do essentially the same thing as a Thundershirt, and here is a Youtube demonstrationA good thing to remember is you can't reinforce fear in dogs (via Patricia McConnell), so please, if your dog is freaked by the fireworks, or by thunder, or by neighbors firing guns, comfort him or her. Redirect, give treats, train a behavior that can be safely utilized in a time like that so your dog has the tools to hopefully self-sooth. Patricia McConnell also tried out anxiety wraps (She's discussing thunderstorms specifically int his post) and didn't really see it "work", or it only partially worked, etc.
We blast the TV
ReplyDeleteHappy July 4th
Lily & Edward
You make great points!!! Like Elka, Shyla keeps us on our toes. She's scared of SO many things, but not gunshots or fireworks or even thunder. However, her thundershirt helps her when she goes to town, where the general bustle scares her.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th to you!
Fortunately my dogs aren't bothered by thunder or fireworks, but I know a lot who are. I read about a process to desensitize them by playing a recording of thunder at low levels and gradually increasing the frequency and volume when they are calm.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful 4th of july, Elka. I have the wardrobe when we have fireworks and I always wait there till it is over :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us we can't reinforce fear. I just saw another posting about not comforting your dog....grrr. I use Thundershirts for thunder, fireworks and for the OCD Beagle who chewed off half her tail. She is now off her meds and mediating the cats in her household.
ReplyDeleteSilas barked a little at the fireworks, but he wasn't too bad.
ReplyDeleteIf I let him, he would sit in the doorway, with the door open, and watch all rain/thunder storms. He doesn't want to get wet, but he wants to watch.
Happy Fourth!! Emmett is totally un-bothered, too. The other guys? Yeesh. We employed an arsenal of those techniques. Here's hoping everyone's pups made it out unscathed!
ReplyDeleteBlueberry is bothered, but she doesn't really want to be smothered - she just wants to hang in the walk-in closet and ride it out. I generally sleep through it and if she sees I am lying down, not bothered, it helps her remain a little less stressed. She's learned by now that the "safe place" is in the walk-in closet in the master bedroom and so I know even if a storm happens while I am not at the house or if someone lets off firecrackers in the middle of the day - she'll know to go there. That's probably the one thing that comforts ME. I generally skip the festivities on the 4th to hang with her. I'm not too keen on loud noises either - so I can sympathize with her.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips on helping thunder storm/firework phobic dogs...of which I'm glad to hear Elka is not a member. We have two for three here, and believe me, it's not a fun club to be in!
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