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[quote=dualie;40138120]Christy... is your dog on any medications? If yes, call your vet and ask them if a small dose of benydryl would be a problem. Or ask them to prescribe a doggie downer for you.
OP says the dog just has leg operation! So even if the dog is not on meds giving the dog something & hoping it will work Not a good idea.
My Westie goes crazy during thunderstorms and she is absolutely bonkers during fireworks on July 4th. She is not afraid, it seems more like she's really angry, but she runs & barks non-stop during the noise & stays agitated for a long time after. This is bad enough most years, but right now we are also dealing with a torn cruciate ligament & I am supposed to keep her calm & stop her from running & jumping. This is not going to be possible during fireworks. Does anyone know of a place in NJ, NY or PA that is quiet & has no fireworks where we might be able to get a room for the night? I know that's a tall order, but any help would be deeply appreciated. Thanks!
The best thing is to stay in your apartment, and make your pup as comfortable as possible in your home rather than trying to relocate her.
My protocols for my thunder and firework-phobic border collie:
Pup goes out prior to dusk to do a final potty break for the night
Xanax- as prescribed by vet
Melatonin- the kind taken by people, just the basic kind, not time release or quick dissolve. It calms and takes the edge off for many dogs.
Dog goes into bedroom with white noise machine to drown out noise of fireworks; alternately, turn TV on high volume
DAP- Dog Appeasing Pheromone spray on bedroom curtains (just needs to be sprayed in same room dog will be in) to take the edge off the anxiety
Close the curtains and/or blinds, turn light on
I hang out in the bedroom with dog until fireworks are over
Normally this works well as the dog is calmer due to xanax, melatonin, and DAP, and the sound machine and TV drown out the sound of the fireworks.
Unless you live in the middle of where they are setting the fireworks off, I would think the same process would work for your pup.
I support crate training, but each dog reacts differently, and needs a proper introduction to crate training. I would not plan to use a crate on the 4th, and as someone else mentioned, she may face greater possibility of injury from trying to move and escape from the crate.
The best thing is to stay in your apartment, and make your pup as comfortable as possible in your home rather than trying to relocate her.
My protocols for my thunder and firework-phobic border collie:
Pup goes out prior to dusk to do a final potty break for the night
Xanax- as prescribed by vet
Melatonin- the kind taken by people, just the basic kind, not time release or quick dissolve. It calms and takes the edge off for many dogs.
Dog goes into bedroom with white noise machine to drown out noise of fireworks; alternately, turn TV on high volume
DAP- Dog Appeasing Pheromone spray on bedroom curtains (just needs to be sprayed in same room dog will be in) to take the edge off the anxiety
Close the curtains and/or blinds, turn light on
I hang out in the bedroom with dog until fireworks are over
Normally this works well as the dog is calmer due to xanax, melatonin, and DAP, and the sound machine and TV drown out the sound of the fireworks.
Unless you live in the middle of where they are setting the fireworks off, I would think the same process would work for your pup.
I support crate training, but each dog reacts differently, and needs a proper introduction to crate training. I would not plan to use a crate on the 4th, and as someone else mentioned, she may face greater possibility of injury from trying to move and escape from the crate.
Agree 100% on everything in this post.
IME if you use Xanax you prolly won't need the melatonin and the DAP.
Every dog is different but if you wanna try what will likely work without spending too much I'd suggest the Thundershirt and Xanax prescribed by your vet. Along with all the other free mechanical suggestions above.
Be sure to get your dog used to wearing the TS before the terrible day...just a few minutes once or twice a day with treats.
Reading again, I would definitely get Xanax from your vet. You do not want to undo all your hard work of rehabbing that expensive cruciate repair. Time for the big guns.
You will want to try your dog on Xanax before the terrible day. In a very few dogs the drug causes excitability.
Here is an excellent article on the subject (noise anxiety such as fireworks, thunder) by perhaps the world's leading veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall: Storm Phobias
And if your vet wants to prescribe Acepromazine for your dog's sound anxiety, please find yourself another vet. Yours is living in the dark ages and does not keep current with continuing education.
There is no guarantee that there won't be fireworks even close to a motel/hotel.
My bulldog is afraid of fireworks....I tke her in about the time they start, I have a fan on, and I distract her with treats and lots of attention...She is still worried, but not panicking.
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So even if the dog is not on meds giving the dog something & hoping it will work Not a good idea.
