Question about correcting dogs with Firework fear issues

[Jennifer and Jack]

I want to tread on this lightly as I have only owned one dog for two years ever in my entire life so I don't want to pretend like I understand something that I just don't. I posted this on another section but it was a different thread and I don't want to hijack it.

 

I was thinking about the dogs that have fear or fireworks and that in theory it is an unwanted behavior.  what I was taught when Jack was a puppy, in the process of socializing him. I was told to bang on a lot of pots and pans and make loud noises. I was told that if he showed any sign of fear or whimpering I was to not cuddle him, not comfort him but to correct him and tell him "no" I could tell him he was okay but any sign of trying to comfort him would further validate the fact that he had something to be fearful of.

 

Last night on the boat, Jack at one point started to climb in my lap during the fireworks, I corrected him and say NO Jack, your fine, and he went on and continued to play.

 

So my question is, do you think that correcting and retraining a dog that has a fear based issue would be helpful and maybe make them less fearful of the fireworks?

 

I don't know if it is as simple as correcting an unwanted behavior or not. I don't have any experience with it as Jack has not shown signs of fear really, except when I leave him and walk to a place where he can't go with me. I have corrected him firmly when he whines and have had some success.

 

What do you think?

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I am reading what everyone is saying but.....has anyone considered that fireworks are LOUD and a dog's hearing is extremely sensitive. I personally would try my hardest to not even have the pup with me during fireworks. I'm in agreement with Kirtsch as to fireworks and children also. Some are petrified of them. They may be beautiful (in our eyes) but some children are horribly fearful when they are young. When my middle son was 3 we took him to see them for the first time and he immediately put his head into my neck and yelled "get me out of here".

I'm sure there is a way to desensitize a dog for these sounds...look at search and rescue dogs. These dogs have to be trained to stay focused no matter what. But issues like fireworks and thunderstorms happen so infrequently, that that "trained or desensitized behavior won't work in normal dogs...IMO:). I would re-assure and make them feel safe and secure. Sorry for my babbling:)

[Adina P]

Carla, I think most of us are referring to just the sounds dogs will hear around 4th of July weekend--not dogs that are taken TO a fireworks show.  Heck *I* don't even like the loudness of fireworks.  But some dogs freak out in their own home far from the site of the show...and most people start fireworks Friday or Saturday night and set them off at random times after dark.  I think that re-assuring is one's natural instinct, but I think what others are saying or concerned about is that it might actually backfire and act as a 'reward' for the fearful behavior a dog might display.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Bingo Adina.. next time I try to say something I am going to tell you, and you can paraphrase it for me. LOL... You are very good at communication.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Transferring fear to our dogs doesn't seem to be the issue here in our household.  Kathleen and I are soooooo very exhausted from dealing with our Mom (whom we moved into our household last week since she is not able to take care of herself anymore) that we  are not even aware of fireworks so are we transferring fear????????.  With that said, we have a very serious issue with our Mom new into our house who is suffering from advanved stages of Parkinson's.  Try dealing with two Doodles, one who shakes like she is about to have a breakdown and one who is barking non stop at all the fireworks in the neighborhood as well as the professional loud fireworks block aways,  We moved from PA to get away from the legal fireworks but we have been had them in our neighborhod this past week.  We are at our wits end today with all of the issues we are dealing with...   What a Happy Fourth we are having??????????  It pretty much sucks! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry to hear of all your troubles. I could do without all the hoopla myself. Why are explosions and loud noises thought to be fun?

[Adina P]

Ahhhh I couldn't agree more.  I find fireworks super annoying when I'm not watching them and only briefly amusing when I'm up close...but I just done like loud stuff (concerts, etc).

[Nina]

I live in San Francisco and days before the 4th (little bratty) kids shoot off all kinds of fireworks in the street.  My dog hates them.  I am not afraid of them and I LOVE thunder.  Generally, I tell her things are fine and don't make a big deal of her fear.  Just a little while ago, we were sitting in the backyard on the deck.  Lots of bangs and pop, pops and all of a sudden she is trying to sit in my lap.  I let her sit there for a few minutes.  Tonight, I am going to sleep with her in my basement where it is quieter.  Last year she trembled and shook for hours even though I was right there.  I tried having her listen to at least 10 minutes of fireworks from YouTube, but this didn't seem to bother her.  I think the "percussive" echoing boom off the house may be what gets to her.  Tonight in SF, there are at least 3 separate firework displays and then those bratty kids in the street.  I feel sorry for my dog.  She is a city dog, sirens, buses, trucks, skateboards, runners and bikers don't bother her.  Just fireworks/thunder.  I'm taking her for a walk and ball chase to see if getting her really tired will help.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I think you were given excellent advice for Jack as a puppy.

For older dogs overcoming their reaction to fireworks, thunder etc. can be pretty difficult.  It doesn't matter really why it came about.  Punishment would be inappropriate and might even validate and increase their reaction.  There is everything on the market from dog valium to a dog swaddler to aid in lessening the reaction.  Once it gets started it is really a problem for both dog and human.  

 

I have never had a dog who showed anything other than momentary attention to fireworks or thunder, but not because I was a great trainer, just never had one so inclined. It is hard to be calm when you are expecting your loved pet to really get anxious.

Probably if confronted with a dog who reacted to loud noises, I would put a lead on him and put him in a down/wait at my feet, so he was close as he usually is, but not getting attention.  The lead would be to keep him in the down/wait should he decide that noise canceled the instructions.  The key for me is just like Jennifer said - trying to keep and act calm.