Fireworks, How does your dog behave with them?

[Murph and Me]

The Murph is coming to his worst week of the year. Since last year he simply cannot stand the noise from fireworks. I have tried to get him used to the noise via clips from the computer but the real thing sends him under tables, the bathtub, anyplace dark and cave like. I usually have him off leash at night for a good walk with his girlfriend but even with her if he hears a pop he is gone, so its leash on till after the 4th. Its frustrating and I wonder if there anything I can do to get him ready for next year.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I can't believe it, but there was a fireworks show on our street last night.  The kids park their cars up and down the hill in front of our house.  There is a turn around area at the bottom of the hill and another at the top of the hill, so they drive the cars up and down the hill with strings of fireworks.  This went on at 3:00 in the morning and we had to bring the dogs into our bedroom because it is in the back of the house.  Scary for the dogs and for us considering how dry it is outside.  One little spark could catch the whole hillside on fire.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Thankfully, Enzo shows no fear or concern over fireworks.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I am lucky with Quincy that way too, not even a blink. We have had some really violent thunderstorm/lightening storms recently and that doesn't phase him either.   Hope all of you that don't have that good fortune can keep your dogs calm.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My Guinness has developed a fear of fireworks and thunder over the past few years.  He goes into the bathroom off of our bedroom where he can't see anything and I turn on the TV.....that muffles the sound and helps a little. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

More dogs go missing on the nights that fireworks are popular than any other time of the year.  I keep our girls indoors with TV or music playing so that they don't hear them so much and are distracted by the noise in the house.  If you have a dog that doesn't like them, it is very important that you be very cautious during this time. of the year.  Not just on those days, but the weeks surrounding them as you never know when people/kids are going to be sitting them off.  I would also caution you to make sure you are using a harness or make sure you collar is secure because when they get scared they can slip a collar very quickly and take off.   I'm also going to share an article with you that I posted in a discussion a couple weeks ago in the event you might have missed it.  Off leash public walking is very dangerous for your dog and any other dogs that they may encounter.  It is also illegal in most of the Country.  I don't say this to call you out, I say this because I don't want your doodle to get hurt or lost.   http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/leash-your-dog-its-law-for-number-...

[Murph and Me]

In NYC parks between 9PM and 9AM you can go unleashed  The park we go to is quite large 3 baseball fields and the park has a fence all around. Murph has had no problems being off leash except during firework season hence the reason for keeping him on leash till after 4th of July weekend 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Actually I wish they would not even do Fireworks this year in the Central Valley.  It is an open door for a fire around here.  This Valley is so dry and just one spark will be a disaster!  It is really sad driving around Fresno and seeing all the yellow lawns, plants and foothills so dry or dead.  That being said, so far Libby does not really get too upset.  We do not go out and we keep the tv or music on and she pretty much does not get too concerned.  Once in a while if a Cherry bomb or something loud goes off she will bark for a minute, but then just go back to sleep.  LOL

[Ron English]

We said goodbye to our last dog, Ceilidhe, almost a year ago - half golden retriever, golden in color and hair as long and straight as a bearded collie. She also would run for cover at the first sound of fireworks - under coffee tables, anywhere she could feel protected. The same would apply on walks, in town or in the woods, if she heard backfiring cars or shotguns in the distance or even anything that resembled that sound, she would freeze and then start heading back in the opposite direction. It was the only time she would pull on a leash. There was no convincing her otherwise.
When she was a puppy, we thought we would "desensitize" her to fireworks by taking her to the local small fireworks display. Big mistake!! That stayed with her for the next 16 years!!!! We now have a goldendoodle puppy, Rilee, who has a much different personality that Ceilidhe. She doesn't appear to be as sensitive, but I do know that we will NOT be going anywhere near fireworks. We learned our lesson.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

My yellow lab hated the fireworks and got very nervous the 4th of July week as well. My vet prescribed her a small sedative and I would stay with her and blast a concert film during the night of the 4th of July. With the sound of the fireworks drowned out, and the sedative, she would just lay by me the whole night and it was fine. I'm not a fan of watching fireworks anyway, so it worked out. 

My Orwell on the other hand, has not shown fear at the sound of fireworks when a few went off on New Years. I'm hoping he keeps up that behavior. Fingers crossed. 

[Kris and Sawyer]

Sawyer has no fear of fireworks or thunder. He actually loves to sit outside during a storm. He's not crazy about those little poppers that my youngest likes to snap on the porch this time of year.. But he usually just goes inside, away from it. I think he's very tolerant to loud noises and chaos because he's been raised in our loud, chaotic house with 3 teenage boys. He's used to it! :-)

[Joe R.]

I tried one of those Thundershirts with my Gus a couple years ago. He hates any loud noises. We live within earshot of a minor league baseball stadium and they do fireworks at least weekly. Also thunderstorms scare him. The thundershirt worked like a dream. When we know a storm or fireworks are going to happen, we put it on him beforehand. He sleeps through everything now when he has it on. I know it doesn't work for all dogs, but uit might be worth a try. When we bought it at our local PetSmart they said we could return it if it didn't work for him.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Today, was the first time in Enzo's short, 2 yr life, she heard and expierenced thunder and lightening! She wasn't impressed......watched out the window for a short time and then retired to her bed for a snooze. ZZZZZzzzzzzz