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Fireworks!

Dstack

Well-Known Member
Happy 4th to all our American Friends. Please remember to keep our furry friends safe and with ID tags attached during the fireworks. My local rescue has the biggest influx of lost dogs that escape their homes in fear of the noise. It’s sad when we can’t reconnect the dogs with their family because they are without ID tags.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Yes! And no Acepromazine if you need meds. There are much better and kinder options available now. I'm thrilled with how Trazodone is working for my boxer with severe sound phobias. So thrilled that I'll be trying Traz instead of Alprazolam for my Ella tomorrow.
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Im very lucky, my boys loves fireworks, they stand tails wzgging watching them.
I feel for all those poor animals that dislike them.
 

Dstack

Well-Known Member
Boerboel Daisy- soon to be 6months had her first experience of FIREWORKS on the 4th of July. Our poor puppy couldn’t make it to the door to relieve herself. We’ll work with her next week on noise acceptance. She desperately tried to be brave. Baby steps! The Boerboel. I’m in love with this breed.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Dstack, I have some info somewhere. Let me look for it. It's a lot easier to counter condition and desensitize a younger dog. You're smart to start now. I'll be back with something.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Here's an article from Patricia McConnell with good info.

https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/t...ail&utm_term=0_28cc1bbe4e-53d48bb732-75353693

I also want to mention that the newer medication, Sileo, is said to be very effective for our larger dogs. I will be trying it for Ella, but I waited too long and my clinic couldn't order it in time to help this weekend. Again - NO ACEPROMAZINE! Not for sound phobias. Yes. I feel strongly enough about it that I'm yelling. And my kids will tell you that I never yell.
 

Dstack

Well-Known Member
Here's an article from Patricia McConnell with good info.

https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/t...ail&utm_term=0_28cc1bbe4e-53d48bb732-75353693

I also want to mention that the newer medication, Sileo, is said to be very effective for our larger dogs. I will be trying it for Ella, but I waited too long and my clinic couldn't order it in time to help this weekend. Again - NO ACEPROMAZINE! Not for sound phobias. Yes. I feel strongly enough about it that I'm yelling. And my kids will tell you that I never yell.
Thanks Boxergirl for the article. It will definitely be a good reference for helping Daisy with Fireworks. Fortunately, storms do not affect her. I did read quite a few articles on Acepromazine and agree that it’s not a medication I would use on large breed dogs or any dog for that matter. Friends of ours had a boxer with terrible side effects from it a few years back while trying to soothe their girl during a pretty big storm. Keep me posted on Silco! I sure hope you get positive results. Thanks again!
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
You can use sound clips of fireworks and some of the techniques mentioned in the article for counter conditioning and desensitization. I've been doing that with my boy and it seems to be helping. He needed the Traz on board to be able to disengage enough for him to start making new, more healthy, connections in his brain. You can also take a look at iCalm. It used to be called Through a Dog's Ear. I know people have had good results with it but I've not tried it myself.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Adding this a little late for the 1st (Canada) and the 4th in the States, BUT, I am adding my prayers that you all keep you dogs safe during fireworks. It broke my heart last year when a neighbour who has a small farm had all her dogs out at the fire pit when they let the fireworks off. Their 10 month old lab lit out like a rocket herself, and to my knowledge was never found. Her owner had taken her dogs collars and tags off because...she wanted them to be comfortable. So, off runs the dog, scared out of its mind, into the bush behind the farm, and probably/likely into the teeth of a pack of coyotes. NOT GOOD DOG OWNERSHIP!

Faced with this woman's distress, I couldn't muster any empathy for her. She came by a few times asking if anyone had seen her dog, all I could say was coyotes probably got it. Poor Dog. Poor Pup. I hope I'm wrong. I hope that poor pup found a good home with a good dog owner. I Hope!

Keep your dogs away from fireworks or under control. Keep their collars and their tags on at all times. Provide medicine relief if you find products that work for you and causes no other issues for your pet. But, Most Of All, Keep Your Pups Safe From Harm. You want your family whole, including your pet, at the end of your celebrations.