My Obie is traumatized .. or something.

[polly7]

My neighbours last night had a nice bonfire, and I'm assuming because it's our holiday weekend here, lit off firecrackers. They weren't terribly loud or anything, but sounded a lot like gunfire that went on and on. Obie normally likes spending some time out after dark in his pen, because it's cooling down and he finds it so hot out during the day. Well, he was completely weird about the fireworks (I brought him in within about ten minutes), nonstop panting all night, he wouldn't drink anything and paced non-stop, not sleeping a bit. I took him for our run this morning and when we got back he still won't eat or drink. I don't know anything about him prior to getting him from the Humane Society ... has anyone had a dog that's been rattled like this by fireworks? This is a dog that's afraid of nothing.

[meti57b]

1. When I was a kid, we had a purebred Doberman, ... a girl, somewhat smallish....

On 4th of July, she would completely panic, and shiver and shake from fear. We would have her in the house, at a place most distant from the noise, but it never helped.

[polly7]

2. Aww ... the poor girl.

I'm sure they'll be lighting them up again tonight so I'll sit out with him and see just how he reacts and maybe try to reassure him somehow and see if we can nip this in the bud. It's just so weird that even this morning he's still acting funny ... he won't even eat his eggs .... he loves eggs.

[mopinko]

3. just try not to feed it.

too many pet owner reinforce fear by trying to comfort the animal. distraction is fine, a walk, a treat, a great time for a little obedience training. get them focused on you, instead of letting them make you focus on them.

my grandpuppy is staying with me, and he is a spoiled little boy. thunderstorms, fireworks, all set him shivering. i ignore him completely and shortly thereafter he is asleep somewhere. if my daughter is home, he is attached to her like velcro.
he isn't afraid of anything, either. he has been skunked 6 times.

[polly7]

4. Thanks mopinko.

I think I probably did reinforce it last night hugging him and trying to give him treats he completely ignored. Makes sense to concentrate on something else ... taking a walk around the block tonight while he can still see and hear them might be good then. He still pulls hard on the leash, so we'll be working on two things at once. I appreciate the advice. He's such a crazy happy dog that's normally game for anything, this just took me by surprise.

[TorchTheWitch]

16. skunked SIX times???

Oh GROSS!!! My first Akita got skunked once, and it was an absolute nightmare. Did the baths, the tomato juice, the vinegar and everything and he still reeked for months. The only thing that finally worked was a spray to de-stink skunk reek, but if he got wet he'd start reeking again so I had to re-spray him. I can't imagine going through that any more than once... and once was PLENTY. Even though that was years and years ago every time I'm out with the dog a part of my mind is checking the area for skunks. Luckily where I live now they don't seem to like... I think I've seen one only once in all the years I've been here.

[mopinko]

24. he just got a hair cut.

he is a little schnauzer/terrier mutt. a benji dog. so, he just got a shave. even then he stunk. fortunately, i was nowhere near any of this.
yeah, not real bright little fella. sweet. cute. but bad boy.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I would say that most pets are afraid of fireworks,

which is why the 4th is such a sucky holiday for us pet owners. I have only had cats, and I have ignored them when fireworks time came around, but that has never helped for them.....they still freaked out. I am fortunate now to have a cat who doesn't even flinch when they go off...he may raise his head from a nap but that is the extent of it. This is a rare thing, I have never seen this before.

Is this the first year for Obie with firecrackers? I would probably not have him out in the yard during the time that there are loud bangs all over if it were me. The not eating still today sounds like this is a big deal. I can understand it last night, but for it to last this long means your dog is very sensitive to them (or it is unrelated to the firecrackers).

If you find that you cannot settle him and have him accept the noises as "ordinary", they suggest that you use familiar noise, like a radio or TV, or white noise, like a fan, to keep the bangs from seeming as noisy.

Good luck. I hope he does better.

[uppityperson]

7. Great recommendations, all. Thanks

[polly7]

8. Hi Curmudgeoness and thank you,

He's only approx. a year and a half old according to the humane society so I imagine this is his first experience with them, they didn't know anything about him either prior to him being dropped off from someone who found him wondering on the highway. I've noticed he's very sensitive to sound - more-so than any dog I've ever had. The slightest sound of a goose or lamb or something on the computer has him excited instantly, he'll sit watching the screen with his ears all perked up (he's a funny dog). Will have to see how tonight goes on our walk, but I'll definitely not let him out anymore alone for them.

I just checked and he's finally eaten ... that's a relief.

[uppityperson]

6. Thank you for the reminder, time to get out benadryl for my pup who hates fireworks

My old dog didn't care but this one was very stressed last yr so we gave her benadryl which helped. It is inexpensive allergy medicine from grocery store shelf. Call your vet for dosages before giving.

[polly7]

9. Thanks uppityperson, that's good to know.

Hopefully it won't come to that but we shall see ....

[uppityperson]

10. We have not tried a thundershirt, but they help some dogs. They are a tight

shirt, tailored for a dog's body. Being me, I'm trying to figure out how to make one from a kid's old t-shirt and a bunch of pins. Good luck, it is a frightening time of yr for many dogs. I think it is not just the volume, but that they can hear a wider frequency range than we humans. Poor pups.

[polly7]

11. Aww, that's such a nice idea.

I can imagine it would be comforting. Obie's huge though and has a double coat of hair so I think he'd probably get too hot. I wish this house had better windows, they don't keep out much sound and my neighbours' light their fireworks off just literally feet away on the other side of some trees. I'd never thought much about this before as my Wolfie wasn't bothered at all, but yes, it must be horrible for a lot of them.

[uppityperson]

12. ooooo ooooo ooooo, really old Ace wrap (elastic bandage), esp if you've a wide one

Hmmm, that might work for mine and we have some old ones around. We tried a regular t-shirt which was tight enough around the chest by shoulders but not around the lower part. Hmmm, have to experiment now.

[polly7]

13. Good thinking! ... let us know what you come up with.

I used to have a little cocker spaniel who was smooth-haired .. the shortest hair I've ever seen on a dog (I think I was duped by the seller lol) and was learning to crochet, so I made him little coats of all colours, some with hoods, some with matching socks. The best one though was just an old work hoodie I adjusted for him ... it made him look badass and it was super warm.

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[TorchTheWitch]

15. BWAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!

OMG that is so adorable! He even has a badass expression on his face to go with his badass hoodie!


That's a photo that needs to be blown up and framed!

[polly7]

21. He always had that badass expression, lol

he had an underbite(?not sure if that's the correct term).

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The boss I had at the time loved Brutus, so I left this for him after I'd looked after things while he was gone on holidays ... just a 'while you were gone, and welcome back' card. Brutus lived to be 14, he was a hilarious but often-grumpy dog who thought he was a German Shepherd and really hated not being able to intimidate everyone and everything.

[uppityperson]

17. Oh man, not a dog I'd want to meet in a dark alley

[TorchTheWitch]

18. Yeah, with a double coat he probably shouldn't wear the Thundershirt

I have an Akita so especially this time of year I have to be really careful he doesn't overheat since they have thick double coats, too. I don't think I'd even do it in the winter since his idea of what's too warm is WAY different than mine. Even in the winter he doesn't want to lie in the bed or on carpeting because it's too warm for him.

Does Obie have a comfort cave? My first Akita made the bathtub his comfort cave, Boo liked his crate for his comfort cave and now Yoshi has made that little space between the potty and the sink his comfort cave though he barely fits in it, and it's not exactly the best place for me since I have to climb over him to get on the potty (though it's quite nice to sit there and wiggle my toes in his fur for a bit while using the throne).

Most dogs seem to like to figure out where their own comfort place is, like in a closet or under a table or something like that, but you might try to devise a comfortable space for him to hide that he might accept. They seem to want a space they just fit in that is protected on at least three sides though some also feel better if they have some kind of low "roof" like being under a table. A big double coated guy like Obie might also like the bathtub for his comfort cave. I always thought Kato chose the bathtub not only because of the small space but the cool material to lie on.

[polly7]

22. Oh, I love Akitas, they're beautiful.

Yes, I think they have an even thicker coat than Obie does.

No, he doesn't have a comfort cave but that is a great idea. He's got a spot in the porch with his blanket but sleeps wherever I do and nothing has really ever bothered him before this so I'll have to figure out where he feels safest. The table might work for him ... I could drape a blanket over it for the night. He HATES the bathtub since our one and only attempt at a bath ... it didn't turn out well. I think I read somewhere Great Pyrenees aren't all that keen on being in water. Thanks TorchTheWitch, I appreciate everyone's advice here so much.

[IrishAyes]

20. Use an Ace bandage wrap.

[TorchTheWitch]

14. Oh yes indeed!

My first Akita would cheerfully charge a rhino but fireworks or thunder even very softly from a great distance absolutely horrified him. The only thing that worked for him was that he discovered hiding in the bathtub. If he could hide in the bathtub he was perfectly fine. But there was no way on earth you were getting him out of there until he was satisfied that the fireworks or thunder was long gone. Oddly, he had no problem at all with the volunteer fire siren that is WAY louder and piercing and that most dogs find much more annoying or frightening.

My neighbor two houses down has a dog that fears nothing but fireworks though thunder doesn't bother her at all. She gets so wigged out that they have to get medication from the vet to give her for holidays that tend to have fireworks.

If Obie isn't drinking or sleeping he needs to go to the vet. Dogs can get dehydrated VERY quickly especially in this season. The vet may want to inject subcutaneous fluids. I'd at least put a call into the vet and tell them about the not drinking and sleeping especially and how long Obie has gone without.

The only thing that bothers me about this is that Obie hasn't relaxed since last night, so maybe this isn't related to fireworks at all. I've never heard of a dog that continued the level of fear long after the cause of the fear is gone.

[Texasgal]

19. Beaulah is terrified of fireworks!

They don't bother quincy at all..

Last year I took a blanket and wrapped it tightly around her and snuggled on the couch. It helped her from not running all over the house panting and hiding under the bed. We'll try it again this year.

I really hate this time of year. Fireworks are illegal in the city limits and our area has been in a severe drought! You'd think people would get a clue!

[polly7]

23. Aww, poor Beulah.

That's what Obie was doing all night, panting ... but pacing. I really had no idea fireworks scared them so bad, poor things.

[sinkingfeeling]

25. My guy. a tri-paw Eskie, is afraid of fireworks and thunder. He seeks a 'hiding

place' and has picked crawling under my bed. Some dogs will go into a closet to hide from noises.