Should I take my little girl to the fireworks???
 

Hi all :wavey:

This will be the first fourth of July that I have had my little girl and I wanted to know if it would be okay for me to take her to the fireworks (or if she would be better at home)? :confused: She is not afraid of thunderstorms or anything like that, but I don't want this experience to make her fearful of loud noises.

What do you recommend???

Thanks for your suggestions as always! :)

Big Hugs,

I want the answer to this question too. This will be Allie's first July 4th and we have two pet friendly options. We can take her to Pier Park and do a dog parade during the day and stay to watch the fireworks, or we can take her the the beach for the day and stay to watch the fireworks there.....

Or leave her at home.... which I don't want to do because I want her to go everywhere with me.

I personally wouldn't take them. I've heard of way too many people missing their dogs, after they ran away scared to death. Thunderstorms, loud noises are nothing compared to the very loud, bright flashing lights, that fireworks have.

Keep them safe...keep them home.

Of course, this is just my opinion

I think it depends on what you think would make your dog most comfortable.

When I was a child we had a yorkie who was more skittish than Cooper. He hated the fireworks. But the only way he felt comfortable was being zipped up in my mom's jacket. If he would've been left at home the firework sounds would have made him nervous wreck!

Last year we went to see the fireworks and left Cooper at home. I don't think he could hear much from where he was, but when we got home it was like nothing had happened.

On a side note, I once had a German Sheppard who we had to drug on the
4th. The fireworks made her sick to her stomach!

I would not. I thinks it much louder for them. How far away from it will you be? How is she in crowds? I just think they should not be exposed to so much action.

:thumbup: far too scary for your little baby , Be safer at home and more secure even if you are not there.

I tried it last year and both of my dogs whent nuts - they were extremely scared, much to loud and the lights really spooked them. To this day, even a car backfiring will set them off. So my answer would be NO:eek:

Thank you for your responses! I definitely want to do what's best for my little girl.

Bella does pretty well in crowds. She is extremely friendly and loves meeting new people and dogs. I'm not quite sure how this particular firework show is set up (I'm in my college town and I have never been to their fireworks). But I was planning on staying pretty far away and just bringing chairs and a blanket for bf, myself, and Bella. But after everyone's responses I no longer plan to bring her. Actually, I will probably just have a small cookout at home. That way I can see how she responds to the noise (because the town is small enough that I am positive we will be able to hear the fireworks well from our house). I definitely don't want her to be home alone if she gets frightened.

I have a couple of yorkies that are terrified of fireworks. Even thought we live way out in the country we can still hear fireworks from our neighbors house. My poor babies start trembling when they hear them. These same babies are terrified of thunder too so I think they associate the fireworks with a thunder storm. It would probably be best to leave them home.

Just as a general precaution, any of you that have dogs outside while you are setting off fireworks be very careful. A couple of years ago my daughter and her family were setting off fireworks in their front yard and the boys lit a bottle rocket and stepped back. Their big dog ran up and grabbed the bottle rocket and it went off in his mouth. The dog lived but he was really sick for awhile and it took a long time for his mouth to heal.

Both of my girls hate the noise of fireworks (from inside the house). At the first sound, they both bark non-stop, but then settle down. I can't imagine they would have any fun actually being at a fireworks display. They do well in crowds also, but at times just want to be snuggled by mom also. I fear they would be really frightened for a fireworks display.

I'd take Lexi, she's been around loud noises before (gun shots + fireworks) and has done well. It depends on your dogs. Lexi isn't afraid of anything :S

The last time we were out camping someone was setting off fireworks, my 14 y/o Golden Retriever was so scared she went straight into Lexi's kennel. She was wedged in there so well we had to take it apart to get her out.

I'd vote no too.

Ramsey is terrified of fireworks...a single bottlerocket going off down the street sends her running indoors.

The week heading up the holiday is gonna be a rough one at our house. Someone manages to light something off each and every night.

Even if my Rhianna wasn't deathly afraid of thunder, I wouldn't take her. I'd be afraid she'd get loose or there would be a large dog there, etc. I'm one of those over-protective furkid's mom . . .:p

Also, when they have our fireworks there is always someone shooting off bottle rockets or playing with sparklers and I'd be afraid something would happen to my little ones . . .OR ME, which is why we no longer attend our annual fireworks but are able to see them from my son's bedroom window if they happen to be high enough . . .:rolleyes:

Momo isn't afraid of anything. Thunderstorms, earthquakes,
fireworks, other big dogs, & fireworks don't bother him. He does bark tho, but will go play w/his toys like nothing happened.

Mimi on the other hand is afraid of any loud noise. She shakes, hides under the bed, crouches in the bathroom, nervous pacing...there's nothing I can do to comfort her!

We had a Dobie (Lex r.i.p.) that used to hide behind the fridge when it was the 4th of July. He would actually move a huge fridge w/his head & wiggle in through the back! His stubby tail & butt would be sticking out & I could see him shaking! lol

The place where they do the fireworks show would be really loud...I wouldn't take her...you just don't know what can happen.

I was starting to wonder if anyone would consider taking their little ones to the fireworks. I almost felt guilty for asking :rolleyes:. So your post made me feel a lot better! :)

At the fireworks in my hometown people aren't allowed to bring any of their own bottle rockets or anything with them. But since I'm in a different town that is something worth considering.

Just remember that dogs naturally have a acutely higher sense of hearing then humans do. The loudness of fireworks does hurt their ears, and will make them scared>
Most dogs will be terrified. Keep them home where the feel the safest. i live in a tiny town, every year the day after the 4rth their are so many lost dogs wandering around the streets, it's sad. :(

:thumbup:

DON'T DO IT!!!!! Bailey was never afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks for the first 2 years of his life. Because he wasn't afraid I decided to take him to a firework show. As soon as it started, he looked up in the sky, saw the firework and peed all over me. He tried to wiggle all over me to get away from the sound. Now he shakes uncontrollobly, paces, cries and pants when there are thunderstorms, litening and fireworks. I feel like I ruined my baby. Keep your baby home, I would if I could go back in time. Guilt just eats me up!!! If there's a loud noise upstairs bailey starts freaking out or fireworks on t.v. or a loud bang in the house. The fireworks show is just not a good idea in MY OPINION. I'm an example that. :(

feeding schedule
 

Do any of you have your babies on a feeding schedule? If so what is their
schedule like? Also how long do you leave the food down or do you just free feed?

thanks

I agree with the others, they hate they noise. I encourage everyone to be on the look out for strays if you do go out. More dogs run away on the 4th of July than any other day. I guess dogs are taking "Independence Day" too literally. :D

I wouldn't. Well, actually I did once and that is why I wouldn't.;)

In the city where I live there are many places where you can go to view the fireworks. Some are crowded and close to the action, others are much further away and slightly less crowded. In addition to holidays, there is a baseball stadium that sets up fireworks most Fridays in the summer.

Where I live you can hear (but can't see the fireworks). Ginger had never reacted to the sound (although it is far away), was used to crowds, and never reacted to thunder, so when we were headed to the fireworks one Fourth of July, we took her along.

Let me begin by telling you that our vantage point was a hilltop high above the city and about 2.5 miles from the actual site where the fireworks were being set off.

It's a relaxed atmosphere with people on blankets and lawn chairs and room to spread out.

Before the event was over, I thought Ginger would have a heart attack.

Between the bottle rockets (which were really very minimal) and the bright lights of the fireworks (followed by the booms), she was not happy and ended up spending her time under a blanket on my lap, clawing me like crazy whenever she got spooked.

Boy did I feel like an idiot.

Unless you are really, 100% certain, your girl won't be afraid, I'd leave her at home.

We feed Bailey once in the morning and once in the evening. I don't care to free feed personally because Bailey has health issues AND I like to make sure he stays regular. :)

Ive taken my Jewels once a few yrs back and she was fine but I wouldnt now because she gets scared if she just hears someone letting one off. I wouldnt take her

Sorry I put this in the wrong place!

Wow I didn't realize!
 

I took Uni last year and she was fine. It was in a church parking lot and there were lots of kids and a few dogs. Lots of room to spread out. I didn't think she seemed to mind, but now I'm not sure. She seemed happy to me.

But, then again, we live near Angels Stadium and there are fireworks going off like every other night it seems, so i guess she's used to it?

This year the fireworks show got cancelled in Anaheim Hills (where we went last year) due to lack of funds/donations!:eek: Hopefully we'll get invited to a bbq party instead! :D

Very good point. :thumbup:

I appreciate you sharing your story. This is exactly what I feared would happen if Bella was frightened by the fireworks. I definitely will NOT be taking her. And Gingergirlsmom, I appreciate your story as well. :)

Beautiful name for your baby! I have a Bella also, Princess Bella Mia :D

I have brought Bella with me to the fireworks show. She does not mind it at all. She has been raised around hunters and we live in the country with coyotes and foxes so she does hear loud bangs and it doesnt phase her. She would love to go with daddy hunting.

HOWEVER, we have a VERY mellow medium size older mixed dog and it terrifies him to death to hear the loud bangs of fireworks or gunshots. We dont take him anywhere near loud bangs. I suggest until you KNOW she can handle it keep her home. If the noise bothers her at home you will know not to take her next year. If she tolerates it take her next year and if there are any signs of distress be ready to go home.

Good Luck!

The doggie day care that Davey goes to is planning a "Safe Party" for that night. They are going to have a lot of staff members there and try to relax the dogs and make them feel safe by giving them lots of attention and love while the fireworks are going off. I think this is a great idea for people that are afraid to leave their dogs home alone on a night where the doggies can really freak out because of the noises and being alone.

That is such a GREAT idea!!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: