Terrified of Firework..is there help?

awww.. poor little coco!!!

you could try getting your hands on a tape with firework sounds, and desensitize her to it, starting off with very very VERY low volume....

but since you have a whole year to get this done, i'd wait a bit and let her "forget" this horrible experience first... but that's just me... good luck! :)

Poor thing!  Fireworks might be tougher to work through than thunderstorms because you'll need to buy some and have someone set them off in order to counter condition her.  Here's what I did for my guys.

When I'd hear the rumbling of thunder off in the distance, I'd say "Thunderboomers!" in a high-pitched happy voice and go get treats and then do some training exercises.  That way, their focus was on me, not the storm and they associated it with doing something they loved.  Now, they can weather most storms without batting an eye.  A while ago, there were a few rumbles way off in the distance, they came right to me and sat in front of me with expectant looks.  :)

You might buy some small firecrackers if they're still available, and maybe have someone set just one off down the street and as soon as she hears it, do some training and give her some really high value treats.  Then, when she seems unbothered by just one going off, have your helper set off two, etc. and build up from there.  It might be hard to do if you're in a residential area or if the fireworks are illegal in your area.  I've tried using the audio tapes of children and thunderstorms but the dogs must've known they weren't real because they didn't react to them at all.

Rescue Remedy can help in some dogs as well as anxiety wraps.  You just have to try different things and see which one she responds to.  Some dogs do need medication if they get severely sick or at risk of harming themselves with their panicked response.  A vet could help you with that, Indie and Woobie have had to take alprazolam on occasion, but with work, we don't need it anymore.

Good luck! 

I always dread the 4th.  Its like a combat zone here and I wonder where these people get the money for it.  It not illegal to purchase fireworks in Indiana but it is illegal to set them off.

I let Drizzle own this fear.  Its been 10 years and she has gotten better.  I just stay at her side to show her I am not afraid. 

 I agree with the above post.  Wait it out, let it get out of her system and then try and desensitize her to the sounds/sights of fireworks.  Just be patient and over time, it will get better.  Maybe the reason she freaks out from fireworks but not powertools is because she can't see the fireworks?  She can see the source of the noise from the powertools but not fireworks?  Did you try to maybe open the window and let her look out?  Probably easier said than done, but just a thought.

thanks guys for the tips and info.

i live in jersey though, so it's not just illegal to set off fireworks, it's illegal to buy/sell 'em here.... (The amateurs most definitely get them from other states and bring 'em home.)  The "professional" ones are usually set off on boats off shore... so I can't get my hands on them easily to "desensitize her."

I was wondering that too about connecting the visual "offender" with the sound, but then there goes the thunderstorm idea.... she could care less about thunderstorms....but that's because ever since she was a puppy, I didnt want her to hate pottying outside when it rains...so I would put her on a leash and literally dance outside with her.... lol

she's also not highly food motivated... i had poppey's chicken and tried to give her some to get her to go pee before bed one of those nights that the fireworks had already gone off an hour earlier...and i can see she was debating between the chicken and the safety of the basement....and she chose the basement... *sigh*

i guess next year when it comes around that time of year again, i'll go en route the vet and meds just to have on hand if she should get worst... i just hate the idea of having to medicate her... make her all drowsy... but then again.... i'm on xanax for anxiety and i know how horrible an anxiety attack could be...

i guess i have to chose between the two evils.

I use Stormease which is far more effective with sound sensitive dogs in my personal experience.  Dess used to pace the whole time during a thunderstorm (or fireworks but we live fairly far away so it is not as bad) .  If he was stationary I ended up with a puddle of drool.  With Stormease (two to three doses) he will lay beside me and I get drops of drool.   I get mine from A Natural Connection.