Go Dog Training

An Un-Happy Celebration

My poor hound-mutt, Eddie (short for Edward J. Snuggle-Bottom Pants-Man, III) is already having a terrible 4th of July weekend.  To be fair, Eddie is an extreme case; he's a rescue and x-rays have confirmed that he was shot several times.  The bullets are buried deep in his backside, but his fragile mental state is plainly obvious.

Like many fears Eddie's "consistent concern" with noises has grown to include any loud noises.  A big gust of wind is enough to put him on high alert, but fireworks are the worst and I pay special attention to Eddie each year as the Fourth of July nears.

The climate of San Francisco is virtually thunder-storm free, but if it were not I would likely consult with Eddie's veterinarian and begin the process of finding him the right anti-anxiety medication.  As it is, the incidents are fairly isolated and we have gotten by with the following routine:

Like many sound-phobic dogs Eddie is prone to pacing.  While confinement can exacerbate the panic response (they feel stuck), many dogs do well having access to a small den in a dark room.  Eddie does best when confined to the back of the house in a small room with little light and his crate open and available to him.  Some dogs also enjoy a small fan or a radio.

In the days leading up to the Fourth of July there are often single firecrackers that go off.  For each of these Eddie gets a huge surprise delivery of broiled chicken (about 1/2 cup of 1" pieces).  In fact I often don't feed him much in the days preceding the 4th except his a light kong (his usual meal stuffed into a rubber toy and frozen) and the "Noisy-Snacks!"   Eddie gets these "room-service" style, meaning: he doesn't have to do anything for them, I bring them to him.  

While it is tempting to hold, pet and sooth my terrified dog with sweet words, this has never helped.  In fact it actually seems to make things worse.  So I must put aside my urge to comfort as a human being and just do my best to make him believe that noises bring snacks.  Incidentally these "Noisy-Snacks" are special to this time of year and that seems to really help.  As does getting an early start.

In preparation for the big celebration, Eddie fasts all day (with the exception of a few pieces of chicken for the early booms, whizzes and pops).  that evening I usually give Eddie a nice big frozen Kong stuffed with rice and hamburger and cheese and small chunks of pig's ears.  This is all carefully layered into Eddie's Extra-Large Kong and frozen that morning.  At the first pop that evening I deliver Eddie his Kong into the crate and turn on some music -(Eddie likes Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline).  I deliver additional Noisy-Snacks for outstanding sounds, but otherwise I leave Eddie alone.

He usually has some soft stool the next day (either from the stress of the food, I'm not sure) and is on-edge for about a week.  Still that's a small price to pay.  If your dog panics because of loud noises, please plan to spend some time to make arrangements to help them cope with the fireworks.  Take special care to make sure they are safe indoors.  Too many dogs are hurt and injured each year when they panic and try to escape the scary storm of booming, popping, whizzing noises.  In particularly bad cases, anti-anxiety medication can usually be prescribed by your veterinarian.

HOPEFUL FOR A HAPPY FOURTH