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[fatboyfat]

My daughter is training to be a dog psychologist and gave me some advice about what to do with dogs and fireworks so i thought i'd pass it on.
she says that you need remain calm,don't react to the firework,your dog needs to see the pack leader being calm and he will be more secure.Although we have dogs as guard dogs and feel protcted with one around they need to feel protection from the pack leader.
You can also try some simple obedience execises with them,stay,sit,lie-down those things for about 10mins and when you praise them they get a rush of endorphines giving them a good feeling.also the mental exercise will tire them out more and give them something to think about and distract them from outside somewhat.Don't over interact with them if they are nervous just be there and be calm and make them feel secure.
Would like to see fireworks banned apart from organised displays.All the post boxes round by us have been fitted with tiny slits because of a number been destroyed with fireworks thrown in.

[Debs.]

  That`s really great advice!.....some breeds of dog are much more noise sensitive than others and hence they suffer terribly from the firework bangs.

Thankfully, there`s not been too many fireworks going off `round here yet, but on bonfire-night the families in the nearby village go bananas and 'push the boat out'; letting loose with sparklers and 'a' Catherine wheel.....well, it is Wales!

[Cumbria]

Any advice for cats. Ive got two rescue kittens 12 weeks old now & still a bit nervous. I agree fireworks should be banned apart from organised shows. Far to many casualties every year.

[tunnie]

our springer is not bothered by them one bit, our new recruit though is a bit scared of them (border collie / greyhound cross)

[fatboyfat]

Any advice for cats. Ive got two rescue kittens 12 weeks old now & still a bit nervous.

Try not to let them run and hide because this will re-enforce their natural reaction to run from danger,it's hard because running away helps them to feel better about the situation but can make them more timid in the long run.Try setting up a secure shelter for them in the main room,somewhere enclosed on three sides so they can see the comings and goings of normal house.make it fun for them to be there,give a treat when they are in it and possibly if they are using litter tray then put that in.The general idea is to make them feel that they are safe from danger but still in general run of the house,not under a bed or hidden away.Hope this might help it's such a distressing time for some pet owners,my wife lost her dog when she was a child on bonfire night,it was so scared it shot out the house first chance it got and never came back.

[willyboy]

Thanks for the advice m8 will be trying it out some what , must admit been walking her lately (the dog) & hear the odd firework go off shes 16mths old now but doesnt seem to be bothered by them, might be if they were really close but will take your daughters advice on board

[Cumbria]

Thanks. Its like beirut round hear on bonfire night.

[fatboyfat]

Meant to say as well Cumbria,try and get them used to their new bolthole when it's quiet and hopefully they will go to this new safe place when WWIII breaks out.

[fatboyfat]

That`s really great advice!.....some breeds of dog are much more noise sensitive than others and hence they suffer terribly from the firework bangs.

Thankfully, there`s not been too many fireworks going off `round here yet, but on bonfire-night the families in the nearby village go bananas and 'push the boat out'; letting loose with sparklers and 'a' Catherine wheel.....well, it is Wales!

They might have to scale down a bit this year with the credit crunch maybe just sparklers,but coloured ones obviously.

[Tony H]

We had a Weimaraner that form a pup we actively encouraged not to be scared of fireworks, when we heard them going off I took him outside and  nealt down by him and we watched them. He ended up having no fear of them at all. He even used to cry at the door to be let out to see them. It may not work with every breed of dog Weims are gun dogs so if that makes a difference, I dont know.

[Phil B]

Just had to drop my opinion in here Re banning fireworks. Not meaning to argue or step on toes just my opinion.

The worst we get round here is a few kids letting a rocket or two of in the middle of the playing fields at night. Every year a majority of our family get together, build a bloody great bonfire in the garden (garden sizes accomodate that sort of thing here) and put a little firework display together. Add a big curry and a few beers and we have a great time. All very safe and organised and a great family get-together.

We would be gutted if we had to lump it down to the rugby club with the underage drinkers and scallies hanging around to watch someone else set off some fireworks from 2 miles away.

I agree there are problems around this time of year, but I would be very offended if someone put a stop to our fun. Maybe a compromise should be sought out? I don't know, maybe restricted sales in problem areas?

I'm just not a fan of giving the masses a rotten time because of a few trouble makers, instead of sorting out the trouble makers instead.

It's the age old arguement, when do we stop: fast cars? motorbikes? fags? beer? kitchen knives?

Just my 2p

[hotel21]

We had a Weimaraner that form a pup we actively encouraged not to be scared of fireworks, when we heard them going off I took him outside and  nealt down by him and we watched them. He ended up having no fear of them at all. He even used to cry at the door to be let out to see them. It may not work with every breed of dog Weims are gun dogs so if that makes a difference, I dont know.

My black lab pup of 15 weeks never bothered her arse at the crashy bangy flashy lighty things in the sky right above her that she saw on saturday night past.  Was quite pretty to watch (early Nov 5th doo nearby) and the bangs just simply did not faze her.  Its down to the human input, IMO....   :-?

[Tony H]

We had a Weimaraner that form a pup we actively encouraged not to be scared of fireworks, when we heard them going off I took him outside and  nealt down by him and we watched them. He ended up having no fear of them at all. He even used to cry at the door to be let out to see them. It may not work with every breed of dog Weims are gun dogs so if that makes a difference, I dont know.

My black lab pup of 15 weeks never bothered her arse at the crashy bangy flashy lighty things in the sky right above her that she saw on saturday night past.  Was quite pretty to watch (early Nov 5th doo nearby) and the bangs just simply did not faze her.  Its down to the human input, IMO....   :-?

Agreed Broocie give the dog reassurance whilst experiencing thing like fireworks and it wont be phased .

[fatboyfat]

We had a Weimaraner that form a pup we actively encouraged not to be scared of fireworks, when we heard them going off I took him outside and  nealt down by him and we watched them. He ended up having no fear of them at all. He even used to cry at the door to be let out to see them. It may not work with every breed of dog Weims are gun dogs so if that makes a difference, I dont know.

My black lab pup of 15 weeks never bothered her arse at the crashy bangy flashy lighty things in the sky right above her that she saw on saturday night past.  Was quite pretty to watch (early Nov 5th doo nearby) and the bangs just simply did not faze her.  Its down to the human input, IMO....   :-?

Agreed Broocie give the dog reassurance whilst experiencing thing like fireworks and it wont be phased .

Totally agree with this,if your dog who looks to you as its source of comfort and security sees that you are not scared to or reacting overtly to the fireworks it will begin to realise that"if my pack leader is ok with these things than i have nothing to worry about".The earlier you can get them the better,but some dogs will always be scared and you have to do the things to lessen it,to make it feel a bit more secure.
As for banning them maybe i wqas a little zealous and agree that with everything it's how it's used by people not the thing itself.Should we ban all knives because some people stab others.