Dogs and the fear of fireworks (yes, it's nearly that time of year again!)

[Boogie]

We have had quite a few every day for the last week, in the next street. Echo seems fine, one went off while he was outside and he didn’t even look up from sniffing. He still hesitates for planes but, so far, he’s been fine with fireworks. They get played tapes of many sounds in the nest so that seems to pay off. Touch wood.

 

[FayRose]

We are also pretty rural so don't get much close by. There is a hotel at the end of our village though and they do have a party on or near 5th November. Molly hasn't so far shown any reaction at all but if she was to be frightened by them or anything else for that matter I would most certainly be a comforter.

 

[Beanwood]

We are fairly rural so lucky that we don't have fireworks close by. We do see the visual effects though being close to Bristol, but don't get the awful sound of some of them. If we climb up near the woods at the end of the garden we get quite a spectacular view on New Years Eve.

 

[Emily]

Timely message, the fireworks are going off tonight! I think they might be for Diwali but not 100% sure. Anyway, Ella has her quirks but thankfully she's not worried about fireworks (or thunder - we had plenty of that this morning too ).

 

[Selina27]

Something interesting happened this morning, made me think of this thread.

Cassie doesn't really react to the straightforward bangs from fireworks, she is just rather surprised, we live in a very rural area so are not troubled greatly, generally folks only let them off on the actual day or very close too.

But last year my neighbours let off two rockets of the squeally kind. Those distressed her enormously, and was upsetting to see. I don't think any thing I did would have comforted her.

Earlier on one of my neighbours terriers that was outside in the yard must have come a bit of a cropper with something because there was a loud yelping and squealing noise as if she was hurt. Cassie was about to have her breakfast, but became really upset and was charging round in almost a panic, just as she did with the squeally fireworks.

I'm not sure what conclusion to draw, but like I say, interesting.

 

[Aitch]

There have been the usual Diwali celebrations here this last week. Lots of fireworks and noise. The dogs have been fine though. Last year Alex was spooked by it so I gave him whatever he decided. He hid in the bathroom for awhile and I sat quietly with him and when he decided he needed cuddles I did that and gently led him back to bed with me. This year he did whatever the other dogs did.

 

[JES72]

Homer enjoying a quiet evening in the pub in the middle of Exmoor without a firework bang to be heard. Shooting season has just begun but that’s a different kind of noise which he’s getting used to.

 

[HAH]

What a gorgeous photo of Homer, @JES72. Sounds like a great trip to Exmoor, and a good escape from the (wrong sort of) bangs

 

[Jacqui-S]

I though Homer needed to be super-sized.
I hope you don't mind my meddling @JES72

 

[Charlie]

Ahhh lovely Homer. What gorgeous eyes Glad you're not having to cope with those horrid fireworks lovely boy. xx

 

[Naya]

Last night several very loud fireworks went off locally...........Harley ignored every single one of them! I’m wonder if it’s because she couldn’t see anything that she didn’t react. Where we lived before, you would see them in the sky. Our back garden backs onto the very top part of a school field, so no visuals ??

 

[Selina27]

Beautiful Homer @JES72 , I hope you enjoy Exmoor it's so lovely there, and that it is less stressful for you all xx

 

[FayRose]

Cassie was about to have her breakfast, but became really upset and was charging round in almost a panic, just as she did with the squeally fireworks.

I wonder if this was because she was aware of something hurting/upsetting the terrier rather than the noise? Did you find out what happened?

 

[MrChew]

We don't have fireworks super close to us since they are regulated here. That said, we can hear fireworks from the harbour foreshore and they happen every week- there is a display for tourists on Saturday, and every time a cruise liner comes in or there is a festival. Chewie doesn't care a bit and sleeps like a log.

When we were at puppy school an ambulance went past with sirens on and the instructor asked everyone to feed their pups. Let's just say Chewie barely even looked up from his treats. In fact... He probably didn't look up at all.

 

[snowbunny]

Lovely photo of Homer, @JES72.

On Sunday, we had a lot of hunting really close to the house. We were sat outside at the time, as we had friends over. Willow seemed totally fine with the gunshot, and was running around with the others happily. But when it was time for bed (hours after the last shooting), I couldn't find her and she didn't come to my calls. In the end, I got a torch out and shone it down the garden, and she was hiding away on an old dilapidated swing seat we have down there. She was really tense and just didn't want to come in the house. Once she was in, she ran up to our bedroom and settled immediately without any sign of stress. So I wonder if it was related to the gunshot or if there was something that happened by the door that had scared her, and she associated it with that. Yesterday morning J walked them while I was out introducing Squidge to more of Natalie's dogs and he said that after the walk, she hadn't wanted to come back in the gate, but was fine at the front door. By the time I took them out later, there wasn't a hint of hesitation. Very odd, these dogs of ours.

 

[Selina27]

wonder if this was because she was aware of something hurting/upsetting the terrier rather than the noise? Did you find out what happened?

I wondered after if her reaction to the squeally fireworks was because she thought it was a dog in distress, if you see what I mean. Because like I say, she doesn't seem to perturbed by the bangs.

No I don't know what happened, but the yard was full of folk, 2 horses being shod, and he owner would be there. Little Millefleur/Snowie is white and deaf, and often makes odd noises, but not quite like that!

 

[JES72]

All we have here on Exmoor are the b*** cows mooing. They have been at it all night and all morning. They sound like fog horns.

I’ve just found out that Exmoor is a light conservation area which is why it’s so bark, really dark you can’t see a thing. I went round to the neighbours who own the cottage and are friends with my brother but had to drive with headlights on as the torch batteries were running low.

Instead of fireworks we should have stargazing night and appreciate our natural sparklers in the sky.

 

[Lisa]

Cows can be very loud! Love your moody misty pic...
The cow picture reminded me of this:

 

[JES72]

Noisy cows have just come down the road right past the front window. Homer did his best to save me.

 

[SwampDonkey]