Scared Of Fireworks

[~Helen~]

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I know November is just ages away, but I stumbled across this thread and thought I'd link it now, rather than fail to find it nearer the time :wacko: :b

fireworks, and calming dogs using DAP

dog pheromones

I also found this outside website: dogclub.co.uk firework advice

Obviously I should point out that K9 isn't responsible for the content of other sites, and it's just for reference. I've simply done a google search and you're welcome to critique the content here and I'll remove anything that people think is unhelpful or downright wrong :thumbsup:

Dorwest for Scullcap & Valerian tablets can help with the anxiety caused by loud noises, including fireworks.

dorwest link, scroll to the bottom for scullcap and valerian tabs

Scullcap and Valerian tablets from Dorwest are the only herbal medicine that is actually licenced to relieve anxiety and obviously is licenced for dogs. Dorwest also do the valerian compound (liquid) for dogs and cats. ABout 30% of all vets are using these products for fireworks night now. Rescue Remedy and many other products are unlicensed and many are just for humans so dosaging is very hard as well as knowing whether they are safe.

Some people use Scullcap and valerian along with the DAP and find them very successful together.

A new thread: October 2005

 

[Susan]

Just in time for me (w00t) ,,our Gala Day is Saturday and there is always a big display at 11pm. Robbie is scared stiff of them so I will just re read the other posts :thumbsup:

 

[~elizabeth~]

I looked into the law on Fireworks recently (when we were woken by a loud and sustained bout of them at 3 am on May day) which may be found at the following:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks/fire_you/new_leg.htm

Here it states: "Under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals. The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both."

I take this to mean that you are within your rights to ask close neighbours to stop if their firework party is upsetting your dog, something I actually did last year when ours were letting off the really loud ones (and they had dogs themselves :rant: )

Elizabeth

 

[~Helen~]

bump

 

[Kirawan]

JUST FOUND THIS MAIL !!

12.15am yesterday,, there was one quivering little whippet down the bed due to firework bangs.

Today, there is one very tired mummy.

This afternoon I have phoned Dorwest and they are putting the Scull and Valerian thingys in the post (first class) - 100 tablets for £6.50 I think she said.

She also said that they are absolutely inundated with calls and are posting them out at a very fast rate.

Fingers crossed we receive them tomorrow morning.... as we are going away at lunchtime.

Nice to have something new to try.... nothing else has ever worked (well, Rescue Remedy lessens things just a teensy bit!) but the expensive DAP diffuser and refill of last year had absolutely no effect.

Homeopathic remedies do not seem to help... so am hopeful that this herbal tryout will be the answer.

Hope many other people read this and can try the suggestions too.

Thanks for the information.

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

I haven't looked at your links Helen, so apologies for any duplicity here, but I wanted to add a few things.

For tonight, all anyone can do is make their pet a safe muffled den (a duvet flung over a low table or between two chairs is good), shut the curtains, play music with a steady bass beat, and ignore their pets. A starchy meal (eg rice/pasta) an hour before dark can make the animal feel sleepier and calmer.

My real problem is when this time comes around again in a year and the same dogs are suffering the same fearfulness, because their owner hasn't taken any time or effort to desensitise them.

My suggestion is to start after New Year celebrations are over with a programme of conditioning. A CD such as 'Sounds Scary' in combination with a DAP diffuser (and in severe cases, a drug programme devised by a vet to suit the individual animal) is the only real way to train your dog that these sounds are not a threat. Which is much kinder than panicking and having to use myriad remedies several times a year just to stop them digging their way through the foundations of your house when they hear a gunshot.

Rant over! :b

 

[Kirawan]

For tonight, all anyone can do is make their pet a safe muffled den (a duvet flung over a low table or between two chairs is good), shut the curtains, play music with a steady bass beat, and ignore their pets.  A starchy meal (eg rice/pasta) an hour before dark can make the animal feel sleepier and calmer.
My real problem is when this time comes around again in a year and the same dogs are suffering the same fearfulness, because their owner hasn't taken any time or effort to desensitise them.

My suggestion is to start after New Year celebrations are over with a programme of conditioning.  A CD such as 'Sounds Scary' in combination with a DAP diffuser (and in severe cases, a drug programme devised by a vet to suit the individual animal) is the only real way to train your dog that these sounds are not a threat.  Which is much kinder than panicking and having to use myriad remedies several times a year just to stop them digging their way through the foundations of your house when they hear a gunshot.

Rant over!  :b

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I cannot believe I just read that....- do you REALLY think

" their owner hasn't taken any time or effort to desensitise them."

That remark seems slightly inflammatory to me, certainly not likely to encourage people to discusss the problem out loud.

When taking on adult whippets (rescue or otherwise) they often have very deep seated problems and your suggestion that people "PANIC and use myriad remedies several times a year" - is, in my opinion, unhelpful and unsympathetic.

I have yet to meet a dog who has been 'cured' with the use of DAP diffusers and CD's - I do not doubt that it has ever occurred - but I would like to see living proof of 'before and after'.

Maybe you did not mean your mail to be as insensitive as it sounds to me - maybe I am just tired and sad, but I feel sooo sorry for dogs in torment and people who have totally unfazed dogs try hard to understand and offer helpful suggestions, but they really can never empathise because when a dog full of terror it is pretty well impossible to change... no matter what Jan Fennel says, nor how many bloody tee-shirts you put around a dog who is panting it's head off and is already boiling to bursting point.

Apologies for my outburst.

 

[~Sarah~]

Bobby (Collie X), who is almost 7 yrs old, has always been terrified of loud bangs - gunshot, fireworks and anything remotely similar. I feel he has noise phobia. He becomes really distressed.

We have tried a DAP diffuser with absolutely no benefit. I purchased a Firework CD, but even on the very, very lowest sound he was petrified. We tried a few times, but felt it unfair to him to continue with it. We have also had tablets recommended by the vet - but he showed no improvement.

I have tried Scullcap and Valerian, although maybe did not persevere for long enough or give a high enough dose. The problem is that there are so many sounds that cause him to panic, he would need to be on tablets permanently which I am not keen on. On a day to day basis we generally cope with his problems.

This year on fireworks night we gave him an ACP tablet and kept him in the kitchen with the radio on very loud. I don't like sedating him, but felt he was far less stressed this year than last year.

I would be grateful for any advice that may help him.

 

[~Helen~]

I've just replied on the other thread, where someone recommended cotton wool in the ears and a sock over the head (with the toe cut out, so it's like a balaclava). I thought it was a good tip, and decided to try it when Josie (who was fine last year) started panting like a steamship with her heart banging like the clappers. I was seriously concerned that her heart would fail so I used two quite big pieces of cotton wool and popped a sock over, with a bit of help from my daughter to make sure her ears were comfy. Poor Josie was obviously desperate because she let us do this, and didn't even mind when we giggled at her :b

And amazingly it worked immediately. She just laid down quietly, heart slower, eyes drooping as she drifted off to sleep :blink: That was the end of our problem - no expensive DAP, no CD, no pharmaceuticals :thumbsup: We've used it three nights in a row now. I don't know why it works - because I'm sure she must still be able to hear something, but perhaps it's a special acupressure point that is pressed by the cotton wool?

I think it's very interesting that quite a few people have said their pups aren't bothered but their adult dogs obviously are. I didn't do any de-sentitizing because I honestly thought Josie wasn't bothered (she was only 5 months old last year) and Lola is the same this year at 4 months-old... maybe there's some sort of developmental thing that goes on as they mature, which makes some dogs suddenly tune in and become frightened. It will be very interesting to see what Lola's like next year - and I'll be sure to have old socks on hand :lol: :thumbsup:

 

[Zoe G]

Helen, thats a good tip with the sock, i will try that tonight.

ILKC, have you owned a dog with this problem? I have tried everything you say.

Ollie got run over last week. He took off from the park when a firework went off at 6 o'clock. He just ran and ran, straight into a car, then ran a mile from there to a kind persons doorstep. Luckily he is fine but I feel terrible about it. I really was not expecting a firework at 6pm but I have learnt my lesson. I can't take him out now unless it is daylight.

The problem began last year when 5 bangs went off in a garden as we walked past. Since this event (he was fine before) he has got worse and worse. I have a DAP diffuser installed an running since end of September. I have valerian drops. I ignore him as much as possible. He has a cage with a blanket over it. I got a fireworks cd with the dap diffuser and have used it but Ollie just gets upset so it doesn't seem to be working. I feel I am really trying to help but to no avail. I have ended up getting diazepam from the vets which is the only way I can calm him down.

I would love to sort it out. Maybe the sock will help, but it will not stop the fear.

I don't know what else to do really. Will the diazepam actually help in the long run or is it just a short term solution??

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

OK, firstly apologies to all those who I have succeeded in offending.

As you can imagine, I spend most consults at this time of year having the same conversation with owners. My rant was the product of a long few days trying to persuade owners that giving their dog 'the little yellow tablets' is not the right thing to do. The owners remain convinced that I'm trying to subject their pet to further suffering. What they don't realise is that sedatives are absolutely the wrong thing to use (unless the animal is in serious danger of injuring itself or someone else and no other treatment is available). An excellent analogy I heard recently is this: Imagine being in the middle of a battlefield, terrified that you would be hurt or injured, desperately trying to protect yourself - but for some reason you become groggy, unable to escape the dangers, and your sensitivity to noise is escalated. It looks like you are sleeping peacefully, but in reality you are just unable to respond to the threats around you, and distraught with fear. Wouldn't that make you even more frightened the next time you found yourself in a battlefield?

One of my dogs has this problem to a minor degree, but we manage it by introducing a late afternoon meal, muffling sound as best we can and playing music with a bass beat. He has the occasional bark at the windows but does not show fearful behaviour. A colleague kennels her dog when the fireworks start.

I do genuinely sympathise with those whose dogs have this phobia. There's nothing in this world worse than seeing someone you love in fear but being unable to help or reassure. But in cases which do not respond to basic conditioning programmes or which are very severe (particularly those cases where an event can be identified as the root cause) then a behaviourist should be consulted. It is necessary in most cases of this magnitude to use a drug regime in conjunction with conditioning, in order to allow the dog to build confidence. This is something which should be worked out as part of a holistic approach to the individual, and cannot be addressed by the loose dispensing of 'little yellow tablets', no matter how much the owner of the poor creature thinks they work.

This is what upsets me about it. If I refuse to give them it, clients just go elsewhere to get their ACP, because so many vets still think it's fine. I've banged my head against a wall for weeks now, basically because people in general don't WANT to help their dog get over it, they just want it to stop digging the carpet up and whining. That's nothing personal towards anyone here, just something that makes me very sad at this time of year.

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

Argh, the curse of the Reload!

 

[BeeJay]

A lot of people are using Homeopathic remedies. Someone I know has had a good result this year from giving Phospherous 200c. Her dog is almost okay since taking that.

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

A lot of people are using Homeopathic remedies.  Someone I know has had a good result this year from giving Phospherous 200c.  Her dog is almost okay since taking that.

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​

I have heard this too, definitely worth a shot.

 

[johnsonspets]

Hi, i was just searching on google for more information on the seren-um tablets as i have just bought an outer to try out as i am thinking of selling them permanently.

Some information i can give you from the packaging and booklet inside the box is below.

A natural food supplement to calm and pacify some common behavioural problems in cats, dogs and small animals. (These tablets are just for dogs that are 30kg and over).

Contains a blend of amino acids and vitamins which help to relax your pet naturally.

Totally natural, totally safe.

Beneficial to help pets cope during unsettling periods such as fireworks, thunderstorms, car journeys and family gatherings.

Offer pet owners an alternative.

You can also visit their VERY colourful website to read much more about this.

http://www.markandchappell.com/index.html?welcome.html&2

You can also call a lo-call helpline - 0845 600 3642

I have already sold 3 boxes of these and have 2 left for anyone to try out on thsi website.

Like i said earlier the tablets are ONLY for dogs that are 30kg or over.

Uusally they retail at £15.49, but if anyone is willing to try them out for me and give me feedback on how they worked i will do them for £8.99 including postage and packaging.

If anyone would like any more information on these please PM me and i will try my best to help.

I am also a seller on ebay so if anyone wishing to buy these would feel safer going through that, that's fine.

Thanks, Mark

 

[dana]

Hi, i was just searching on google for more information on the seren-um tablets as i have just bought an outer to try out as i am thinking of selling them permanently.
Some information i can give you from the packaging and booklet inside the box is below.

A natural food supplement to calm and pacify some common behavioural problems in cats, dogs and small animals. (These tablets are just for dogs that are 30kg and over).

Contains a blend of amino acids and vitamins which help to relax your pet naturally.

Totally natural, totally safe.

Beneficial to help pets cope during unsettling periods such as fireworks, thunderstorms, car journeys and family gatherings.

Offer pet owners an alternative.

You can also visit their VERY colourful website to read much more about this.

http://www.markandchappell.com/index.html?welcome.html&2

You can also call a lo-call helpline - 0845 600 3642

I have already sold 3 boxes of these and have 2 left for anyone to try out on thsi website.

Like i said earlier the tablets are ONLY for dogs that are 30kg or over.

Uusally they retail at £15.49, but if anyone is willing to try them out for me and give me feedback on how they worked i will do them for £8.99 including postage and packaging.

If anyone would like any more information on these please PM me and i will try my best to help.

I am also a seller on ebay so if anyone wishing to buy these would feel safer going through that, that's fine.

Thanks, Mark

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​

i have been giving my dog these seren-um tablets for years around bonfire night and i must say that they do help to calm her down, i would highly reccomend them for anyone whose dogs gets stressed by fireworks.

 

[~Helen~]

(w00t) it's started already so I'm bumping this up in case anyone needs to check out the advice :thumbsup:

 

[Susan]

Started,,hope they stop soon I never sedated Robbie tonight, but wish I had :- " ,bloody band/whizz nearly drove him to an early grave

Rob will be sedated tomorrow and the 5th Monday , but woe betide anyone letting them off on Sunday :- " Im now the killer of Nov5th in my kids eye's all they get out of me is ,,WHO THE HELL IS LETTING THEM OFF NOW And Im at the front or back door giving them hell :cheers:

The neighbour from hell on the 5th nov in my kids eyes,,but do I give a toss NO :cheers: