Firework Hell!

[joolz]

My poor Bliss is a nervous wreck! She's 5 now and is getting worse every year. She is getting so stressed in the house if she hears a firework go off. Is there anything I can give her to calm her down a bit?

[yvonned]

I used Bach Rescue Remedy for Cass and it worked for us with fireworks but not thunderstorms, but I think that's to do with the atmospherics. I'd used it successfully before on rescue doberman. Quite a few people on here have used it and have found it helps. You can get a pet one now but I have only ever used the human one, which you can buy at some chemists including Boots for about £7.
You can't overdose on it, it's a homeopathic remedy that's been going since the 1930s. I'd start by putting 3 drops in the drinking water everyday up to firework night. If they're going off every night then I'd also put 3 drops in the evening meal. You can also put 3 drops straight into the mouth and if need be after about 25 mins another 3 drops and continue until she seems calm.
If you go into the search box at the top left and search under "fireworks" and "bach rescue remedy" you'll find quite a few posts and other ideas as to what can help. Hope you find something that works for Bliss because it's awful to see dogs so distressed.
I can hear the damn things going off now but Cass isn't bothered anymore, although I might put 3 drops in her dinner on the 5th.


It's also a good idea to make sure the collar is not too loose when you go out, because we get the idiots letting them off during the day round here and it's so easy for a frightened grey to slip the collar.

[funnypoppet]

Swear by DAP collar. Fireworks tonight and my 12 year old started her usual pacing and trembling. Within 20 minutes of collar being on now have one happy contented dog. Search the internet as prices can vary considerably. Collar lasts about a month.

[sueb]

As Yvonne said, there are other (old) threads on the forum re fireworks you could also view.

I've had one of my hounds for over 3 years and did use rescue remedy and some dog herbal remedies, and a Noise familiarisation CD with some success. However, Brennan was so incredibly nervous with fireworks that I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack. I'd never seen a dog so scared. So after trying many things, I finally gave up and asked the vet for Valium. He only has max 1.5 tablets and on the odd day ( and as we live in London, where we have a huge and very noisy public display just down the road we take him away for 5th November!) so it's not as if he's taking it for anything other than the odd day.

I have to say that, much as I don't really like using Valium, it has been a godsend for Bren ( although does need to be taken before noise starts, which is fine for 5th itself or planned displays, but not for odd ones going off) . Although he gets a bit distressed it is much less with this medication and also helps with reducing the memory thing. By that I mean he seemed to have a much lowered threshold to noise/stress of it all at this time of year and that just fed into itself. It seems to break that cycle. And, as with thunder, Bren likes a den when all this is going on, a dark place, we make a little tent type thing in the kitchen, with a cosy rug and blankets for the the tent itself, pegged to the kitchen drawers! Oh and with classic FM rather loudly on the radio seems to help,too!

Good luck with Bliss, it's a horrible time of year for these fragile little hounds.

[Deleted]

I've used Rescue Remedy many times, particularly with my previous dog, for travel anxiety, fireworks and crowded places etc.and have always seen a definite improvement in demeanor. As it's a 'natural' formula it's something that you can experiment with dosage and frequency without any harm. I've used it myself in the past although you wouldn't notice!!

[suethejam]

Our Ty was/is scared of fireworks (and other loud noises) but isn't as bad as he used to be.

We've tried several complementary therapies but what worked best, especially to get him over his first "firework season" was proper anti-anxiety medication from the vet - some which we started in advance and some, like diazepam, that we used on the night. The advantage of diazepam, as SueB mentioned, is that it not only calms them down but it modifies their memories so that they don't fix the trauma in their minds. We also use a desensitising "noises" CD, which I think has helped him a lot.

Ty now gets by with no medication at all - he's fine as long as he can get to his "safe place" - i.e. his little den in our study - we do leave music in his room if we're expecting fireworks - the science suggests something with a strong beat - "Florence and the Machine" has been in "Ty's" CD player for a few years now - he hasn't asked us to change the track yet :-D

Of course, all bets are off if we're out and about, tight collars and firmly held leads then!

[greyhoundgran]

This is my first firework night or nights with my Lily so will make sure I turn tv up fairly loud and not leave her. Might have a few extra treats on hand as well. Fred

[Pia]

Lurch has no problems with fireworks. But now I have Jet too it will be her first one. She seems okay with loud bangs when we are out walking so fingers crossed. I am sure Lurch will be on hand to keep her calm if she is scared