Fireworks
 

I have no idea what to do. They canceled our fireworks and we already had an issue with people setting them off in our neighborhood and the neighborhood right behind us even though they are illegal. Penny who is scared of absolutely nothing else is terrified of fireworks. She shuts down completely and then becomes very jumpy for the next couple of days. I have a thunder shirt that was Callie’s that should fit but I doubt that is going to completely work. Penny acts very weird on CBD oil so I don’t want to give that and the composure chews do nothing. I can’t even make a darn appointment to talk to the vet. I’m stress out completely. To try to explain it I told my friends it’s like watching your child being completely terrified and not being able to do anything or explain it to them! I also am worried about them starting fires.

Cody was never scared of thunder or loud noises,Late June 2018 it became legal in Pennsylvania to buy and set off fireworks. Since the law was passed late June 2018 July 4th not many ppl knew about it, and it was its usual quiet community.

Last year it was like a war zone with missals, flares, bombs bursting in air right over my roof. Cody was frantic, shaking, hiding under the bed. Now I don't coddle him, that only reinforces there is something to be scared off. I Kept telling him it's ok. After July 4 2019 he hears thunder and gets scared, again, I don't coddle him.
This Memorial Day weekend, thankfully no one close to my house was setting of missals or flares, but somewhere in the community there was. Poor Cody, he was shaking like a leaf, I just had to pick him up and press him against me tight. He's gonna be a basket case this July 4th and there is no way for me to protect him, thunder, he now hides behind the sofa.
So I know what you go through with lil Penny.

Penny normally just sits very close or on me or my mom. They don’t scare Ollie but he gets wired when he sister is acting weird. She is just not scared of stuff and will knock down dog gates with no issue but those fireworks just mess her up. Poor Cody.

Not saying this will work for every one or for every dog but it always worked with mine while I could physically keep it up. I used several white noise machines placed about the house and turned up to help block outside sounds, ramped up Dolby stereo TV sound to rocking work-out music, a Thunder shirt and special home-made treats Tibbe lived for, brought out new toys, kept laughing, playing fun games with Tibbe, unexpected actions to distract him during fireworks, that he grew to really dislike as he aged. Made myself act very happy, very enthusiastic, acting the fool to keep Tibbe engaged and focused on me and distracted as much as possible during WWII-like sounds during outside celebrations. The enthusiasm I showed in roughhousing, playing with him, chasing him, tossing treats and toys around in front of him to bait him, laughing like a wingnut and dancing around, lying down on the floor, rolling around laughing and careful not to reinforce any fearful reactions of his kept him so distracted he couldn't readily focus in on his fear of the sounds. He never knew what I'd do next so he never started shaking or panting, got walleyed, etc., couldn't help but stay engaged with me. Working to stay very enthusiastic and happy wore me out but he'd always look to me any time he heard fireworks, expecting a show!

What a great solution!

hehe. Takes a lot out of you but it worked for Tibbe.

I always play my surround sound really loud, to block out some of the sounds. Also turn on all the fans etc. I should get a noise machine, that's a great idea too. Jackson is really noise sensitive but I find with all of the added noise that drowns it out a bit, he is content to go lay under my bed (with no shaking, panting etc). Thundershirt did nothing for him. I do give him Trazodone for stressful situations as needed but the problem is I need to know when the stressor is coming a few hours before. Or at least 30 mins before. I never know when idiots are going to light off fireworks lol.

We do turn up the TV and try to be happy but I will say I’m sure she can sense that I am angry after awhile. She doesn’t shake or pant she just completely shuts down so I don’t know if she would even try to play or anything.

It seems like any weekend before or after and the day before or after are all possible days of fireworks but you really never know which is another thing that makes it hard because you don’t want to medicate them everyday for like a week. I guess because Callie takes the CBD oil she doesn’t react anymore but she used to pant, shake and hide. The boys don’t really care unless it’s a really weird sound then you might get a woof or two.

Yeah, truly the hardest part of helping a nervous dog is getting ourselves in correct, calm-but-enthusiastic, fun state-of-mind rather than giving in to our own feelings. We are in total of control of our own reactions to what's coming and also of your dog's IF you can work productively at successfully managing to keep your main mission in mind above all & him distracted enough to not spiral into true, precedent-setting, running to hide ir shutdown panic that can keep returning like Pavlov's dog. We must avoid the strong, visceral level of fear reaction to sudden fireworks, loud noises or the poor dog may suffer all of his life every celebration neighbors hold or motorcycle passing outside. I saw it as my calling as a dog handler/dog lover to enthusiastically put myself aside, put my dog's emotional needs above my own feelings/frustrations, for his psychological future. I never wanted him to fear others or being in loud, strange places, always secure in himself.

Plus, part of Tibbe's rehab from fear-based reaction, shaking, panting, snapping little Tibbe brought into this house was first gaining his total trust over months, then very, very slowly subjecting him to fun-based sudden, unexpected ever-louder noises, my talking loud to him, shouting even, so he'd not fear others that did that around him(not knowing who he might ever be around or visiting, boarded with, vet situations where I wasn't around, wanted him prepared to handle it w/out fear),throwing cans, banging pans, etc., until he realized noise wasn't going to hurt him & by not reacting fearfully, he got instant laughing, high-pitched praise, hugs/kisses, treats pressed to his lips before he had time to think negatively. He eventually got it - sudden, unexpected noise, racket, shouting, I just look up & Mom's on me w/goodies & love. I gain by being cool, keeping her happy.

Rehabilitating a fearful dog is true, hard, every dedicated work but the rewards in a socialized, calm, confident, secure dog anywhere he is, a dog that had a dreadful start in life, are so, so, so worth all of it - but it will cost you a lot.

I am so incredibly lucky. Bon Bon has been known to sleep through fireworks. They don't bother him at all. I have no idea what I did to make him like that. We live near a major road/highway, with loud trucks, sirens and what not, so he's had sudden loud noises for most of his life. I don't make a big deal out of it, neither does he.

You are really blessed to have a calm, self-confident, secure dog. Sure makes life easier than working hard to distract the noise-fearful/phobic Yorkie! Enjoy!

Maybe show the dogs where the noises are coming from by taking them on a walk to see the fireworkks and being happy and praising them there? Showing the forth of July can be so fun and full of treats (maybe a bite of bbq)!


Or maybe that would backfire, i am NOT an expert. My dog was so afraid of thunder and it was hard though and nothing worked well, but treats did the most.

I hate to sound like a grouchy old man (I *am* one but don't like sounding like one) but if they're illegal, I wouldn't hesitate to call the police. It may not do much good, but I'd say it is worth try, MHO.

We live fairly close to the NC state fairgrounds, and for 10 nights in October, there's a big and very loud fireworks display from 9:45 to 10pm. We've always just sat with the dog or dogs on the bed, close, talking in a calm voice: "Nothing to worry about, it's OK, just noise." That has worked pretty well with our Scotties and the Scottie mix. This will be the first year for our rescue Yorkie, Cricket. Hope it works with her.

I live in the suburbs of small city next to Dallas & some years no fireworks, some years every other block seems to erupt every hour on the hour from 9:00 pm on. I couldn't do that to any police force busy on major holiday evenings! :)