Fireworks - Advice/Tips?

[Jaime + Oliver]

This is our first 4th of July with Oliver.  He's a 1yr old, very noise sensitive, furball.  Fireworks have been going off in our neighborhood every night since Saturday and poor little pup is not happy.  I'm already feeling stress about Friday.  We've tried to treat and give generous praise when he hears the noises, but when we miss a "bang" or a "boom" Oliver freaks out.  Any good tips/advice from seasoned dog owners on how to make it less stressful (for us & the dog)?

[Stella]

A bit late now, but maybe useful for the future - when my boys were puppies our trainer used a cd of noises during puppy playtime to desensitize them to those noises. You could get a cd of fireworks, thunder etc, or make one by downloading sounds from the internet and on regular days play it very quietly in the background while you guys are doing something Oliver enjoys. Over time, if he isn't reacting to the sounds, you can turn up the volume until he is able to tolerate is loud. For now, seeing as you don't have much time, I would go with the advice given above, drapes / blinds closed, tv / radio on, behave as if nothing special is happening, maybe try to engage him in some training or playing a game to distract him. A Thundershirt may help, although you are supposed to condition them to the shirt before using it in a stressful situation.

[Jaime + Oliver]

This is a great idea.  We've learned a lot with this first puppy and I think this is a must-do for future dogs.

[Joe R.]

Definately try the thunder shirt. It works great for Gus. He nornally barks during storms and fireworks. We  live near a minor league baseball park, and get fireworks noise several nights a week. He sleeps right through them when he has it on. Same with big thunderstorms. When I got it at Petsmart they said if it didn't work just return it for a refund. Might be worth a try if they have them in a local pet store.

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thats a great policy!!

[Courtney Ramsey]

I'm nervous about Rook too! I was wondering if taking him WITH us to a fireworks show is better than leaving him at home to freak out on his own?  Or if that would just be too much stress on him. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Nope, I definitely would not take him to a fireworks show.  It would be like taking grandpa (with his hearing aids) to a rock concert.

[Stella]

I wouldn't recommend taking him with you. If he freaks out he could slip his collar and run away in panic. Better to be at home, crated or safe in one room with the curtains closed and radio on.