| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jul 03 2008 : 7:11:53 PM
My pitt mix, Finn, is afraid of firecrackers, fireworks, etc...but he shows his fear by barking constantly, growling and gluing himself to me, unlike my mother's dog who just heads for the basement. I feel bad for him, but I can't soothe him.
Does anyone else have a dog that is afraid of this holiday? If so, how do you deal with them? I don't want to give him meds, but I was thinking some benadryl would REALLy come in handy right about now...he's just about to drive me crazy.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 12:22:26 PM
All our dogs arrived with us after 4 months old...and it is true to an extent, that what happens to them early in their development shapes them for life. My mother's dog, Lizzie, a Newfoundland mix, was dropped off as a 5 week old pup at a friends farm in the middle of an electrical storm, in a metal crate with her mother. My friend found a home for the momma, and my mom took Lizzie, and I'm not joking, Liz can predict a storm or bad weather about 24 hours in advance...and she actually has taken down closet rods (full of clothes) and torn through drywall if it's bad enough. Mom worries too, that she'll work herself into a heart attack--she's at least 11 now, and that Newfie weight doesn't help.
My four guys/gals--who knows what's happened to them in their early lives...Rose, our 115 lb German Shephers is afraid of storms, but not to the extend of Lizzie...she just high tails it into the bathtub :)...our little Beagles, Daisy Bad Seed is afraid of cars backfiring (and gun shots) but not thunder. But boy howdy, you should see her run for the door when the train goes by our house about a 1/2 a mile away--she can't STAND that! Our Elie, well, he's just not afraid (or jazzed by) of anything.
We did end up calling the Vet about Finn and his incessant barking, panting, pacing, with the firecrackers. Our vet said that we might give him a Benadryl and that would at least calm him a bit...it did. And, I think he appreciated it--he was much more calm, and panted much less and he only barked at the BIG ones!!!
Anna--I've seen those doggie wraps in Bark Magazine...I wasn't quite sure "what" they did, but that makes sense about the acupuncture.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Back Home Again |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 08:02:54 AM
Rufus and Molly....Our two Bassett Hounds are Very Calm, Laid Back dogs....they were bred to be calm, friendly Bassetts (we've had a couple over the years that were not as calm). Our female is not affected by fireworks at all and our male is slightly bothered, but not much.
One of our neighbors has a dog that they have to take to a "sitter" during the 4th of July week whenever they go out, because their dog goes really crazy!
Interesting how dogs have such different personalities....... just like people!!!
Until Later,
Audrey
~ Side by side or miles apart....dear friends are always close to the heart ~ |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 06:47:28 AM
i don't think anything scares Cabin and Creek .. our two Olde English Sheepdogs .. they are just big fluffs of fur that live their lives to be hugged and petted! VERY GENTLE breed of dogs.
There used to be a beagle up over the hill that had to be put on MEDS .. AND .. doggie-sat when a storm came! I don't think i could have lived with her because if you are 'out and about' and a storm comes .. the poor dog would have to 'go it alone'.
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| Annab |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 3:51:05 PM
My first dog was also deathly afrid of fireworks, gunshot and thunder.
I didn't know that the first 4 months of a pup's life are the most critical in terms of positive and negative life shapers.
A bad thunder storm the first night we brought her home, alone in a crate in a basement forever scarred her. I lost her 3 years ago when there was distnat thunder and she ran and got hit not even 2 miles from the house. I detested huntng season too. We could alyeas tell when a storm had hit when we wern't home, cause we'd get home, and the dog would be under the laundry tub. Smart girl
Our second dog has been brought up correctly. From the first day, we intorduced her to 22 gun shot, coupled with heavy play sessions and yummy treats for reward. She was also taken to the place where I work where there were a lot of loud trucks and construction going on nearly every day and all kinds of sights and sounds. Now loud sounds startle her, as they do the rest of us, but rather than retreat and hide, she moves forward to investigate and protect. When thunder storms kick up, she continues to want to play, and we have even lit a few fireworks in her presence(under extreme restraint in my arms)---cause she would charge forward, rather than seek shelter.
There are total body wraps you can buy from catalog pet supply companies. The wrap acts like accu pressure and is suposed to sooth without sedation.
Haven't had the need to try, but if our Abby were still alive, I would have tried anything. |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 5:35:50 PM
My Saluki/border collie mix is deathly afraid of the sound of fireworks. She works herself into a lather and her tongue turns almost blue. I have to close her and me in my bedroom and soothingly talk with her for the hour or so that they are blasting them. Our local pound was full of dogs that ran away when folks illegally lit off fireworks. There is nothing that can make Penny calm and unafraid. So we get in the smallest space possible and just work away.
Thank goodness fireworks are not permitted other than those licensed to light them.
Betty in Pasco |
| Woodswoman |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 5:27:16 PM
My pitt/lab mix, Zena, is in the same boat. Any sharp, loud noise and she starts to pace, pant, and shake uncontrollably. She's 13 years old, and I'm afraid she's going to work herself up to a heart attack. The Fourth went pretty well, because it is something we can plan for. A few benadryl, and Jack Johnson on the stereo (speakers right near her head) seems to do it.
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 08:47:48 AM
We don't have dogs, but cats instead. And yes our oldest cat is seriously afraid of fireworks, lightening and thunder. Last night during all of the noise, we closed the windows and pulled the curtains, then turned on the TV and a fan to mask the noise some. She was still scared and hid behind the couch, but wasn't so scared that when I talked to her and petted her she still purred, which is a good sign.
Anne in Portland, OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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| Mag |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 06:41:06 AM
Our rescued girl Sadie, is frightened of all loud bangs including gunshots and fireworks. I just try to react as if nothing is out of the ordinary and give her a pat every once in a while. Our Siberian Husky is unfazed completely which goes to show, you never know what makes 1 dog react when another won't. I know your vet may be able to prescribe something to calm the dog but other than that I can't think of anything that would work. Too bad we can't reason with them!
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| Lainey |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 09:19:03 AM
Our golden, Lizzie, is terrified of storms and loud noises like gunfire, cars backfiring, and fireworks. She runs and either jumps in the bathtub or tries to hide under a table or a corner. If the basement door is open she will run down there. She shivers and tries to keep her nose covered (not sure why). At night she will jump in between us in the bed and hide her face under the pillows. We try to reassure her when it storms but until it's over she hides. She doesn't even get back to normal until about an hour after it's over. One good thing is that we know when storms are on the way because she starts this about 20 minutes or so before we hear thunder. I feel sorry for her because sometimes storms make me nervous too. I've heard there is an herbal supplement for dogs that relaxes them somewhat, but not sure of the name.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| Jami |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 07:23:31 AM
My Pyrenees LGD is scared of lightning, thunder, gunshots, etc. So the 4th is a real nightmare around here (including the horses and sheep hate it too), so therefore I really don't enjoy the holiday myself anymore. I would prefer folks kept the fireworks in town but alas, the country (i.e., city transplants on 2 acres) are now shooting of fireworks very close to our home. We put the dogs in our garage (including the LGD) and just hope the sheep don't run themselves to pieces. The dogs seem to think the garage is a safe place and don't seem too concerned once they get in there. They all find a place to lay down and just ride it out.
I feel for animals on the 4th! Last year I about had a coronary with neighbors on 2 sides shooting them off and they weren't just firecrackers and sparklers...the "home" fireworks have become quite sophisticated and go up very high in the sky and are really loud. I am a real grump on the 4th because of this.
Jami in WA
Okay, so now I have a blog. http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| nubidane |
Posted - Jul 03 2008 : 7:43:06 PM
Jonni, we can totally relate. Our Dane Willow totally freaks out during storms,(tears up trim work, doors & kennel panels etc to the extent that she has lost teeth) & we have tried nearly everything..Rescue Remedy(try dosing a dane. you will go broke).. All sorts of herbals etc & nothing seems to work. I hate to tell you this, but we have several tabs of Acepromazene(sp???) that we keep for desperate times, like when we HAVE to be gone & know it is supposed to storm.. It works great, but her poor little eyelids look like she has been on a major bender. We only give to her if absolutely necessary.
I know from watching Ceasar(Dog Whisperer) that if you comfort her while she is exhibiting this behavior, you are reinforcing it... SOOO, when Willow freaks out & we are home; I juist try to act normal.. no extra attention, so she can view the situation as normal.. Sounds good on paper RIGHT!
PS
I am so jealous of your weekend.. I finally got super busy.. doing some work for a company that tries to help people that are about to lose their houses.. I think the company buys them back & leases them back to homeowner. All I know is I saw 9 today. I am POOPED!! Just need to view via an appraiser's eye & not get into the emotion of it all. Miss you guys.. I was off line for a while cause for some reason my login was not recongnized..I was in major withdrawls!!
Hug miss wilma & eat some of Sterls biscuits for me |
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