It's Panic Attack Time - Again!

[GoFride]

Fourth of July fireworks time is almost here. Every year my poor hound dawg is convinced we're under attack! For such a big dog, he can find the craziest, smallest hidey-holes. In the past I've done things like buy the little "popper" fireworks and tried a little desensitization (set one off, give him a treat, set another one off, give another treat). That has helped - no more broken furniture! I also try to find some "blow-em-up" movie on TV, so he thinks the noise is coming from there (this works sometimes). Any other ideas? He really gets stressed over the fireworks. Thanks!

[llovelace]

Call the vet and ask for valium for him

[cinderbird]

Call the vet and ask for valium for him

Seconding this... One of my parents dogs is actually on valium for thunderstorms and stuff because she freaks out. All out panic attacks, etc.

Get a vet appointment and explain the issue. For some things, its really just better to medicate, especially with a "planned" event like this. Dose around midday or early afternoon before fireworks start going off, and the dog gets to basically sleep around and enjoy the day instead of being so freaked out they cant even go outside to go to the bathroom. Poor puppies.

[mommanessy247]

my parents had a saint bernard that was crazy afraid of thunder.
my dad was told by a neighbor to give him a benadryl capsule hidden in something like a piece of lunch meat or chunk of cheese. i would sit out there with him petting him & letting him lay his head in my lap until the benadryl knocked him out.
the benadryl never seemed to make the dog sick or anything and we never saw any major problems cuz he ONLY got it when it was needed.
i'm sure a vet would say "no" to it, but it worked on that dog....

[spitzu]

Yep, drugs. It's only once a year and it works like a charm.

[mclaus688]

Definitely go with the Benadryl...my dog does the same thing as do I on occasion....so every 4th I slip him a benadryl and I take my own and we try to avoid them all together, lol.

[mues155]

Try working with him still.
Try setting off bigger louder fireworks and giving him treats. Little snaps probably isnt going to do the trick when the big ones come out. Or once the fireworks start give him a little training treat as they go off?
Maybe try and distract him with a tasty bone or piggy ear.

[spygirl]

Have you ever tried to swaddling technique? Its the concept behind the Thundershirt for dogs. See link for more info ----> http://www.thundershirt.com/

So swaddle a baby, you basically wrap him in a blanket till he's a baby burrito. Be confined in the blanket helps calm them down and helps them fall asleep. Well, the same principle can be used on dogs. Check out the link. Do you see where the shirt is wrapped around the dog? See how tight it fits? Well, you can either get the shirt OR get some cloth, an old T-shirt, or something similar and wrap it around the dog the same way.

I've used the technique before in my dog training classes with dogs that have high anxiety levels. I will admit, it doesn't work on all dogs, but I've had a lot of success with it. My Shih Tzu is currently wrapped in hers because she just had a kidney stone removal surgery and needs to stay calm. I also use it with my Sphynx kitten, to help him focus when we're doing training.

Try it out and see what happens. And if all else fails, the drugs work too!

[Alexandra V]

aside from Valium from the vet, you could try continuing the desensitization like was suggested with bigger ammo. You could also do some form of natural supplements that you would be able to find in a pet food or pet health supply store. They're effective, and it's also practically impossible to overdose on a natural supplement like those, so you don't have to worry too much about that either.

[GoFride]

Thanks, everybody! I appreciate the tips and the new ideas, and I think this will help make the Fourth a lot less scary. Much appreciated!