HELP!...FIREWORKS!!

You may want to see if you can get some valerian root tincture (the non-alcohol if possible) and give it about 10 minutes before the fireworks. 

I'm sitting here tonight with mine and suddenly the neighborhood has been setting off TONS of fireworks.  Luna almost got herself all worked up but I took a bag of treats and sat there telling them "Silly people -- what IS their problem tonight huh??  Every time there's a pop YOU are gonna get a treat!"

 and I did -- doled out a ton of them ... but when the fireworks stopped my dogs were *disappointed* they stopped. 

No you don't train that in one sitting -- I work on it ALL the time.  But that's my point -- you have to start now to desensitize them for *next years* fireworks.  it takes a while but it's time well spent.

Wow! Excellent idea! They may even start looking forward to stormy weather. But, you know how they do the fireworks...its like one bang right after another. So, just give them treats til its over? I've actually had dogs all my life but, boxers are a totally different species. I've had these dogs app. 3 yrs, Smooch is !0 and Ki-aye is 8.

I talk them thru it -- I do the same thing with storms.  I treat with the flash and then count out loud *and* then the bang.  I always say something brilliant like "It's getting **closer**!!!" or "See -- toldja -- getting further away!!"

With the fireworks (and they're outside doing it right now -- this is Florida and they sell fireworks **everything** ugh) but I say "Oh boy -- MORE idiots!! You get more treats!!  ...... and again ... ANOTHER one!! whoo hoo!!"

But anything to reinforce that David and I realize it's happening but it is NO threat!  's ok guys -- no big deal!

It's not exactly classical conditioning but we like to train them to understand what WE say goes.  That bringing something to our attention is **fine**.  I LIKE that first bark to tell me something's up.  But then ... it's MY decision.

We often "act" on what the dogs advise us.  Last night there WAS something in the yard and when Luna got heated up and antsy as well, David went out to check on it.  Giving them credit when he comes back and and telling them "Nope nothing now!"