Dogs and Fireworks

Throw roast beef - have a fireworks party.  You will really be classically conditioning her to believe that fireworks are a good thing.  Don't wait until they get going - do it with the first burst and keep feeding till it's over.  The pieces of meat only need be as big as half your pinky fingernail.

I second Anne's suggestion to condition her to enjoy the fireworks. Max was conditioned to like them last year when we took him with. I didn't have any doggie treats, so I ended up feeding him some cookies we had bought to eat ourselves. It's not the best thing for a dog, but oh well. When the other option is having a dog who freaks out at fireworks, I decided a cookie or two was the better option. He really likes the fireworks now, which is maybe kinda bad, because when I set them off, he's always trying to get closer. But, it is pretty cute to see him actually watching the fireworks.

Another suggestion, if she is so freaked out that she won't do it, run her through some basic commands. If you give her treats while she is just hiding and freaking out, she might get even more scared, if she believes that is what you're rewarding. If you have a clicker, you can teach her something really simple before it starts, like to touch your finger with her nose, and have her do that. I sometimes do that with Max when he is overwhelmed, just have him reach an inch or so to touch my finger, and that usually gets his attention back to me so I can ask for more. If she is totally freaked out and hiding, you might still be able to get this from her, if you can't get anything else.

Try to avoid comforting or coddling her when she gets scared of the fireworks; this will reinforce the behavior.

I would also be interested in everyone's ideas about dogs and fireworks. Should you leave your dog home in the crate with music etc when there are fireworks, like a lot of trainers say? Or try to get them used to it. My dog Cassidy is 3 years old, and not afriad of fireworks, storms, or anything like that. I even take her to some fireworks displays where she is on her leash ( obviously) next to me, and is pretty noncholant about it. Mirelle, the puppy I am raising to be a service dog ( with a service dog organization), is not supposed to be around fireworks at all, they say, because they have had too many incidents with the dogs freaking out, running away, and getting hurt when they are exposed to fireworks. So I am supposed to leave her at home when they have fireworks. In my opinoin, it would probably be good for her to get used to that, because the dogs would be released from the program anyway if they show fear of loud noises like that. But I will end up taking Cassidy with me to the fireworks displays, and leaving my 7 month puppy at home in  her crate.

I think it is important to have the fireworks as pleasant an experience as possible for the dog.  I've not had a lot of experience with this, though, the only dog we had who was scared was our old family dog, who freaked out with thunderstorms as well; we never took her to any.

I personally feel it is best to get the dog used to it. That way you don't have to worry about the dog freaking out at the fireworks, and any danger occurring because of that. However, if I had a dog that was scared, and Millie is, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I don't try to get her used to it, and we don't try to take her with us. If the next dog is young and not afraid, i'll see too it that it doesn't become afraid of fireworks. It's simple enough to teach the dog not to be afraid. I think it would be good to get a service dog used to it. You never know what their new owner will want to do with them, and everything you can prepare them for will be helpful.

I had heard the same thing about not making a fuss about the noise. I took Jake out the other night and he was fine.  Not scared at all.  I want him to be able to be involved in as much as possible that we do.  So I try to expose him to it all.

If she is already scared, I would try giving her something like a little Rescue Remedy to help keep her calm while you slowly introduce her to the noise.
 
We had a "trial by fireworks" the other day.  Was out walking Ben and at the furthest point from the house, just as we were about to turn around, someone started setting them off right overhead.  Had no choice but to continue on as normal, but I did practise some extra commands with him to keep him busy.  Not the way I would have opted to introduce him to fireworks given a choice, but I didn't have one.  Maybe some training during the fireworks would help?
 
Kate
 
 

It really helps if you have an adult dog that is not afraid of fireworks to teach the new dog.  I've got 2 12 wks old pups and we've been outside listening to and watching the fireworks and they couldn't care less.  They heard the first boom, then looked around to see what everyone else did.  The other dogs just looked up and then we started giving treats to everyone, so they weren't affected at all.  I agree that the feeding party is the best way to get them over it.  If regular treats don't work, go with the high value stuff like meat as Connie mentioned.  I like to start with normal treats, but mine are very food motivated and a Charlee Bear is as good as meat to them!