kiesha09 Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Over the New Year period I'm heading to our shack to do some relaxing and waterskiing. The dogs are coming because all my family are going to be away. They come with us most times but my girl doesn't particularly enjoy it I don't think. There are no fences at the shack and due to some issues another neighbour had with my neighbour re dogs on his lawn I make sure that my two are tethered at all times unless inside (this is the part my girl dislikes!). My brother is at the shack at the moment and called me to let me know that there is a shack down the road that has been letting off fireworks each night this week. No doubt they will do it when we're there particularly on NYE. My girl hates fireworks and loud partying so I'm quite worried how she will go. Where is the best place to put her during all this? Should I put her inside the shack with her bed, keep her outside with me, crate her inside? She is crate trained but I wouldn't really say she loves it as her safe place. I don't want her to end up hating it either. This has made our short holiday seem quite stressful for me and I kind of wish I didn't have to go anymore. But unfortunately I have 15 others coming so I can't uninvited them now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bozzieUD Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 yep, I hate NYE fireworks and so do my dogs. If I'm camping, my dogs get put into the back of the car. Ive even put them in the car (in the garage) at home when I have had people over for NYE. The dogs are happy because they love the car. The car also muffles the sound of the fireworks and partying. The only problem is they expect to be driven somewhere! They soon settle down and go to sleep. BTW I have crates in the back of a duel cab. Its very comfortable for dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 ask your vet for some valium and crate her inside. Should help to lessen the stress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I go out in the evening, usually a dinner with family and friends at a nice restaurant, and make sure i am back well before midnight. Meanwhile all pets are inside. Just my advice...like If I was in your situation; If I was you I would get her a thunder shirt ASAP...not sure where at short notice though. Its helping with my dog as people in my street have been letting damn fireworks for a week already. I'd have her with you, right by your side. Don't moddycoddle her when it happens and she freaks out Just command her to settle and give her a pat. Maybe the ones tonight and tomorrow can be practise runs. Let her stay close to you...its only fair. Being alone would be more terrifying I'd think. Make sure she is tethered really strongly and securely if she freaks out and runs off you might lose her, she might get hurt or hit by a car or lost - keep her on a very thick lead or two. Maybe a long one tethered to a structure and a long leash to you too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 Thanks for the ideas! I would love to be able to get a thunder shirt between now and NYE but I'm pretty sure that for us in SA the only place they are available is online. So I wouldn't get it in time. I will give the vet a call tomorrow & see what they say. I've never given her anything like that so to be honest it makes me a bit nervous but I guess I'm willing to do anything I can to reduce her anxiety. What effect will the Valium have on her long term ie will she be groggy the day after? I think she probably would be better off with me. Grrrr stupid fireworks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 (edited) If you are going to be outside unsoundly have her with you because she will also see the fireworks, have the 15 people to deal with etc. I'd get the Valium, cover her crate with a sheet and leave her in a closed room with the TV or music on. Eta: bloody autocorrect.... I wouldnt have her outside is what I meant Edited December 29, 2011 by megan_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogslife Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I live two streets from the Harbour bridge and my windows shake when the fireworks go off so I am now an expert on keeping dogs calm during them. They are inside on NYE with all windows closed and blinds down. Every radio and tv is on, all on different channels and up loud. Lights are on in all rooms except the room that has the least windows. I chuck a thick blanket over that window to further reduce the sounds. I have been with my dogs a few times during NYE and they now usually just sit up alert and look confused. Usually I go and watch them with friends and when I get home afterwards the dogs have gone back to sleep. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Kiesha, Petbarn at Elizabeth have the thundershirts, so I would guess the one at Norwood does too if you can get to one of them. Not sure if it will be enough time though as I think you are meant to do some conditioning with it first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janba Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I don't have a thunder shirt but put an old t shirt on my 2 boys knotting the slack snuggly on their back. They get anxious rather than panicky and the shirt does help their anxiety. The dally just sleeps through fireworks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 I spoke to the vet today and he didn't think her behaviour warranted medication. I disagree so a little annoyed with him. I can get access to a thundershirt. This may be a dumb question but since we're about to experience a heat wave here in SA will she get too hot with it on? I will put her inside with the air con on but it doesnt work that fantastically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystiqview Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 THe more you make a fuss of the dogs during the fireworks, the more they will be agitated. Crate them somewhere safe where they cannot bolt or run off. You be there and act normal as if it is just another "normal" night. If they are stressed, they probably will not want to eat/drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's mum Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Thunder shirt is cotton t-shirt material but it has to be snug so it does make them warm. I think that's the lesser of the two evils. I've seen people suggest rescue remedy (chemist, health food store) on here to alleviate stress at thunder/ fireworks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Yeah, the thunder shirt will make the dog warm, but its made of soft light amazing material. (mine is anyway). so its not like putting a wool jumper on, and its just covers basically the torso. My kelpie took to it the first time - did not need conditioning. Whether to have your dog with you or crated etc away from you is your decision. I do not think there is a right or wrong. I think it depends on the dog. I know my kelpie is a sensitive natured girl and I could never enjoy myself knowing she might be stressed, anxious or worse freaking out and I am not there. But my westie is an easy come easy go type of personality and I might be ok having her away from me. But in general, I would not take the risk and I would never leave my dogs alone on NYE - but that is my personal decision. In regards to sedatives/valium....IF i HAD to leave my kelpie alone, then I would give her something to take the edge off, and put a thunder shirt on her, and make sure there was loads of water available to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntia Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 (edited) oop double post Edited December 30, 2011 by Huntia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntia Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Thanks for the ideas! I would love to be able to get a thunder shirt between now and NYE but I'm pretty sure that for us in SA the only place they are available is online. So I wouldn't get it in time. I will give the vet a call tomorrow & see what they say. I've never given her anything like that so to be honest it makes me a bit nervous but I guess I'm willing to do anything I can to reduce her anxiety. What effect will the Valium have on her long term ie will she be groggy the day after? I think she probably would be better off with me. Grrrr stupid fireworks! I noticed yesterday that the local petbarn had them (thundershirts) in stock. Hope you find something and good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I am dreading tonight, mine have got worse since 2 years ago neighbours 2 doors up let fireworks off, our blocks are so close it sounded like it was in the next room! Since then my dally gets really stressed, he paces, pants, and barks at every bang. We have loads going off in this suburb Last year i got valuim, and ended up giving him the double dose, it had ne effect at all. will be putting the tv on loud and hopeing for the best, just want to go to bed early as i am sick, but no chance with a big dog barking downstairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I could be wrong but I understood that valium is only a muscle relaxant. I would worry that if a dog did start to panic, only to find he didn't have full control of his body and not knowing why, it would lead to a very distressing time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Lots of rescue remedy .. lavender in an oil burner ...thundershirt or similar ..... keep your dog with you .... sorry, that's my arsenal all used up . Hope it all goes well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I could be wrong but I understood that valium is only a muscle relaxant. I would worry that if a dog did start to panic, only to find he didn't have full control of his body and not knowing why, it would lead to a very distressing time My understanding is that Valium works on the brain and state of emotion however acepromazine (ace) is a muscle relaxant and should not be given in cases of anxiety for the reasons you mention. I'm not sure if knowledge of this has improved but I remember being told at a seminar with 2 vet behaviorists. The following week I went to the vet to get something for my boy for thunderstorms and was given ace. I knew the owner of the clinic and asked to see him and explained what we had been told and he said he was aware and was annoyed his vet was using that rather than Valium. But he did admit many vets without an interest in behavior were not aware. That was about 8 years ago so I would hope most do know that now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Looking overcast here, praying it chucks it down with rain allnight to stop the local fireworks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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