[NAGDU] Fireworks

[Mary Metzger]

I have successfully used Benadryl when my dog was at home or not going to
perform difficult tasks.

Mary Beth Metzger

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle Sykora
via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2019 10:16 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Danielle Sykora <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Fireworks

Here is what I tried, in order, with my thunder and firework phobic dog.

1. Counter conditioning. when the scary noise happens, the dog gets its
favorite things. Favorite toys, high value treats, extra attention--whatever
the dog likes best. It is not true that giving your dog attention when they
are fearful will cause them to be fearful, and thus ignoring them will solve
fear issues; however, your actions can help the dog respond to their
emotions in a different way.
In order to not inadvertently reward a fear response, I would give a treat
before the dog had a chance to react, or would have the dog do really basic
obedience for treats. The dog got rewarded with amazing things for very
basic behaviors in the presence of something unpleasant.
2. Desensitization. Use a recording of fireworks. Play it at a very low
volume, and gradually increase the volume and duration over a period of a
few weeks. You can pair this with meal times and play sessions to help it go
faster. This ideally is done when the dog won't be exposed to fireworks in
real life.
3. Try a thunder shirt/anxiety wrap, herbal calming supplements, or CBD oil.
This can be paired with the first two techniques for quicker results if the
anxiety is severe, or used as a management tool long term.
4. Use a prescription anti-anxiety medication from the vet. This could be a
short term solution until you can really work through it behaviorally, or a
long term management strategy. Not all medications are conducive with
working though due to their sedating effect.

I personally did not find counter conditioning, desensitization, herbal
calming supplements, or the anxiety wrap to be helpful with my
thunder/firework phobic dog. CBD and prescription meds help somewhat, but
this phobia only got progressively worse and caused the dog to retire (and
is still progressing in retirement). I do find herbal calming supplements to
be very helpful with one pet dog's anxiety however, so it really just
depends on the dog and the severity of the problem.

Danielle, Thai, and Jackie


On 11/24/19, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> My friend found the thunder shirt helpful for her pet who was afraid 
> of fireworks and thunder.  It's a snug vest.  The pressure is supposed 
> to calm the dog.  Sounds odd, but it worked pretty well for her.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jordan 
> Gallacher via NAGDU
> Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2019 6:09 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Jordan Gallacher
> Subject: [NAGDU] Fireworks
>
> Anyone have any ideas on how to calm a dog down when fireworks are 
> going off?  I had this problem with another dog who did not like 
> fireworks or other loud noises, but I have forgotten how I got him to 
> not completely freak out from loud noises or fireworks.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jordan
>
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