Community Chat

[spot555]

Jeremiah-

those ear muffs look great! I doubt that most dogs would wear them, but they're a good idea.

[CrazyDaisy]

While it is to late for this year, I highly recommend desensitization tapes. They are available for fireworks, thunder storms etc.. You start with the volume very low and over time increase to volume till they no longer are bothered by the sounds. The dogs I have now are not bothered however it really helped with one I had in the past.

For this year I would do whatever it takes to keep your dog safe and comfortable. I have found that natural products will help for mild reactions to the noise. If they have sever discomfort, use the medicine the vet gave you. It is better to keep them calm and safe.

Good luck

[Tinkrbl44]

On 6/30/2014 Sheltie Mom said: Hi share, glad to meet another Sheltie person! I would stay home inside with the windows shut and the drapes closed with fans or a/c going. I don't know if you've ever tried the Thundershirts but it does seem to calm down my girl (mainly because I'm a slow poke getting it in her, lol) Also, giving one capsule of Benedryl also has a coming effect without any heavy drugs. My vet ok'd this.

SheltieMom, I noticed your location ..... my sisters live in Hamburg ... and I went to school in Orchard Park!

[conlt]

My youngest a Sheltie is scared to death of fireworks. I agree do not coddle the dog, act natural and try to get them to have fun. My girl hides under the bed it used to be for hours but she has improved.

[surprise_sometime]

My mother has a puggle that is not only terrified of thunder and fireworks, but also the vet. Anytime she takes him, she has to give him half a tranquilizer pill. His fear of fireworks has worsened each year, so my mom is planning on using this on the 4th. Not the most ideal route, but it's better than the anxiety he gets.

I've heard mixed reviews about the Thundershirt, half the people I know that use them swear by them, the other half said it did absolutely nothing. But it never hurts to try.

I always keep the a/c cranked, and a bunch of fans going, it seems to help my dog forget what's going on outside.

Good luck!!

[stevieb]

Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you've seen one, you've seen them all...

[surprise_sometime]

On 6/30/2014 stevieb said:

Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you seen one, you've seen them all...

Ugh I agree completely.

[aubnwa01]

Where I used to live was near an indian reservation & they sold all sorts of the big bad noisy (& illegal) stuff, including some that were like the equivalent of sticks of dynamite. The fireworks stands would open & start selling this krap about Memorial Day & stay open until they sold out of all their wares, sometimes until mid August & it would go on until sometimes past 2am. It was like a war zone & the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder & the smoke hung in the air.

It was a nightmare for everyone, but my poor dog (Golden Retriever) was totally terrorized by it. She died in 1997 at 13 years old, but this was before the Thunder Shirts & all the other stuff they have now. She wasn't happy in the house at all & would just get frantic & pace & pant & she couldn't stay outside at nights during that time at all, so my vet gave me Ace to give her & I'd put her in the closed garage with a big soft bed & a radio playing to help mask the sounds. She was happiest out on the front lawn, for some reason, maybe the houses blocked the sounds a bit or something, but I couldn't leave her out of the front lawn all night, so she had to go in the garage for the nights. Poor thing.

[colliemom4]

On 6/30/2014 Jeremiah 2911 said:

Get your dog some ear safe ear protection:

http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-safety/mutt-muffs-hearing-protection-for-dogs.html

These Mutt Muffs (pictured), a Thundershirt and a Feliway Plug in Diffuser for Dogs might just do the trick.

Happy 4th.

Those are so cute! I don't know about most dogs wearing them though.

[Julie928]

On 6/30/2014 surprise_sometime said:

On 6/30/2014 stevieb said:

Isn't it just pathetic how so many folks just seem to regress to a near caveman state on this particular holiday. It'd be just fine with me if they banned the stupid fireworks altogether... If you seen one, you've seen them all...

Ugh I agree completely.

I'm with you guys on that one! We have three dogs, all rescues. Our latest girl doesn't seem to mind thunder or fireworks, our male border collie/lab mix gets nervous but will just sit by my husband or myself, and then there's our 110 pound coonhound/plott hound mix. She is terrified of fireworks ~ she will try to get behind the computer desk, the TV, anywhere she hasn't a chance of fitting in. We feel so bad for her, so like so many of you we leave the air cranked, the TV up loud, etc. Our vet just prescribed Acepromazine tablets for her anxiety. I'm a little nervous about giving these to her but was told that many people use something like this for their pets for the 4th of July, thunderstorms, or even taking their pet to the vet. I'm dreading the holiday because of what our sweet girl goes through but am hopeful the pills will help calm her a bit. Best of luck to all of you who have pets with similar fears. Be safe and keep your fur babies safe!!!