2018 Halloween support/rant thread!

tk123 · 23-09-2018 2:13pm #1

A few rockets on fri evening and yesterday when we were indoors and he was upset. Not frantic but just worried and listening. A kong and some relaxing music on youtube settled him.

I doubt I'll be able to get him out for an evening walk much longer - once he gets a few scares when he's actually outside that'll be it.!

:mad:

em_cat · 23-09-2018 2:25pm

They’ve been going off for weeks here, they launch them into the underground car park, shoot them at each other, children as young as 3/4 handling them without supervision...

I’ll be honest, until we adopted Mr C, I was pretty ignorant about the effects of fireworks on dogs. None of our other pets are bothered at all.

We’ve been working on it but it isn’t clear cut so we have to take a multi faceted approach and it can be really tiring.

tk123 · 23-09-2018 2:35pm

This is year 5/9 working on it. He was fine until he was 4

I was the same until he started being afraid of them - oblivious! I remember loads going off in the park one time and he looked at me as if to say 'should i be afraid like everyone else?' told him everything was ok and off he went playing not a bother on him! Now i'm trying to decide which harness to put him in to restrain him best if gets a fright when we're out on a walk! It has gotten better but there hasn't been tons going off yet or the really loud ones so we'll see what happens. I have the risk factor of Lucy picking up on him being afraid too so will have to see how we get on and make a decision on leaving him behind in the evening rather than undo our work!

Dubl07 · 23-09-2018 3:00pm

Have you considered Mutt Muffs or similar to help him manage?

tk123 · 23-09-2018 3:02pm

Have a set to try this year but he's not at that stage yet. Also i don't know if I want to have them on him out on walks

em_cat · 23-09-2018 4:24pm

We’ve a pair of mutt muffs, but they are just a tool.

I’m also worried about the setbacks, but more importantly the ‘trigger’ stacking it is incredibly difficult to get mr c reset. We also have the other dogs barking in the area to contend with when they go off

One positive is that we’ve been using the click/mark to calm method with some success as his threshold is better(?) depending on how you look at it.

My in laws golden is non plussed about them, even on her walks.

em_cat · 23-09-2018 4:26pm

tk123 wrote: »

Have a set to try this year but he's not at that stage yet. Also i don't know if I want to have them on him out on walks

snap!

tk123 · 23-09-2018 4:57pm

Boo - well a couple went off! He’s camped out in the kicthen snoozing on a blanket. The fact that I have treats going in the dehydrator in there may be another draw too lol

Bells21 · 23-09-2018 6:17pm

I've been scrubbing the house for most of the day and just sitting on the back door step too cool off. Dogs beside me of course. We've had a couple of those 'screamers' going off but he just had a gruff at them and went about his business. I think it was purely because there was a gap between each that he didn't react in the way he normally would.

Philster · 01-10-2018 12:04pm

I found this from the UK Dog's Trust really good last year. You play the fireworks and other sounds from Soundcloud for a few weeks in advance, on a low volume to get your dog used to the sound at a low level. Then I gradually increased the noise up overtime and when the actual fireworks kicked off in the town he barely took any heed and this is a dog that hears EVERYTHING. :pac:

I said to other friends with dogs and they all found it really good. I only ran it in the background for maybe 10 minutes every few days or so.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-behaviour-health/sound-therapy-for-pets

tk123 · 01-10-2018 12:35pm

Bailey's too clever for that lol! He copped it was coming from the laptop or when I streamed it to the TV etc!

We got back from the vets yesterday at 12:15 and a rocket went off and then they were going off every now and again all afternoon / evening. Lucy was asleep most of the time because she was upstairs with me while I was working BUT sometimes she gets a bit unsure if she sees him getting upset so I need to keep an eye on that so she doesn't think that she should be afraid too! If she's out and hears one she'll look at me for a reaction some of the time so I've been praising and giving her a treat etc

Philster · 01-10-2018 2:55pm

tk123 wrote: »

Bailey's too clever for that lol! He copped it was coming from the laptop or when I streamed it to the TV etc! We got back from the vets yesterday at 12:15 and a rocket went off and then they were going off every now and again all afternoon / evening. Lucy was asleep most of the time because she was upstairs with me while I was working BUT sometimes she gets a bit unsure if she sees him getting upset so I need to keep an eye on that so she doesn't think that she should be afraid too! If she's out and hears one she'll look at me for a reaction some of the time so I've been praising and giving her a treat etc

Wow he is clever! :eek::) Monty would occasionally look towards me, try and gauge my reaction and then continue napping / destroying my slipper etc. But I think for him it definitely did work and I must start it up again soon. Even on Halloween night he didn't flinch when he would with other sudden noises. It is interesting how they will try and gauge your own reaction to something and then you see the tail wag a little bit

Bells21 · 28-10-2018 3:54pm

I know I'm jinxing myself now, but we've had a very, very quiet run up to Halloween this year! A few fireworks but nothing like the 'screamers' that we've had in the past that usually set our lad off. We've had lyric FM on during the day when we're at work at it has had a really soothing affect on both dogs. Usually we have a few notifications from the camera when they move around/play etc but since we've had the music on there's been barely anything.

em_cat · 28-10-2018 6:11pm

Mr C & I spent the majority of the early afternoon in town on Friday & the entire evening in the pub. Mr C didn't utter a peep, no barking at all the entire evening, thinking we have to repeat but record the sounds as he was so comfortable he slept belly up on the bench between OH & I until kicking out time. TBH, since we've had him, I've never seen him so comfortable and it was really busy.

Yesterday wasn't too bad, but its been relentless today though...he's beginning to lose his voice. We are trying to redirect but they are going off in the underground carpark & plaza.

tk123 · 28-10-2018 8:13pm

We’ve had good and bad days. Not having him out in the evenings has definitely helped. I’ve made his scare spot in the kitchen more comfortable and have pet remedy plug in above it, his vest on each evening and a few different treat dispensers for him. My plan for Wednesday is to take them out early for a long walk and then we’re in for the day with his relaxing music and tv turned up. I’ve big huge orstrich bones set aside for them lol as well as tons of assorted other goodies

D3V!L · 31-10-2018 11:20am

Has anyone noticed how loud the bangers have gotten this year ??

Our dog wasn't at all bothered last year but the last week some seriously loud ones made him jump.

Knine · 31-10-2018 12:53pm

Mine are not bothered at all by them but I am going to sort out some nice tasty kongs for them for later as I will be busy with little scary callers to the house

tk123 · 31-10-2018 1:41pm

I got them out for a lovely walk in St Anne's this morning so some off lead time in safe places for Bailey and lots of sniffing and looking at squirrels! We sat and had a coffee - sadly it was mammies coffee morning at the same time so it was quite noisy and kids flying around on scooters screaming and shouting - well the dogs were better behaved than the kids

Both of them nice and relaxed now so I hope it lasts for a while longer at least. I'll be giving him some calming pills with his dinner in a couple of hours and then getting ready with his vet, mufflers, treats, music etc etc

Dial Hard · 31-10-2018 1:45pm

I'm so lucky that Gracie (an otherwise very nervous soul) isn't bothered in the least by fireworks.

Would a Thundercoat/weighted blanket be any use for those poor doggies who are afraid?

tk123 · 31-10-2018 2:32pm

Annnd we're off!

Vest going on him now.

cocker5 · 31-10-2018 2:34pm

Cody is oblivious to the whole thing.. not bothered on bit - thank god!

Graniteville · 31-10-2018 2:44pm

We have 2 dogs - one would probably set bangers off herself if she got the chance, the other petrified of the noise.

We live in the countryside, so also get pheasant shooting and crops guns going off and this year she's even had issues with coal crackling in the fireplace.

The guys in petstop suggested we try the pet remedy plug-in and I can give it a hearty thumbs up. She'll still put the tail down with the louder fireworks, but she no longer is running ragged about the house and trying to hide under beds.

https://www.petstop.ie/pet-remedy-plug-in-diffuser I would guess its available widely in most pet shops / vets and it did take a week or so before the effects were noticeable.

Knine · 31-10-2018 4:18pm

Holy ****. The noise of some of these things

Bells21 · 31-10-2018 5:02pm

I thought I was on the ball getting the dogs out for a looong walk nice and early away from town so we would be more guaranteed not to come across any fireworks.
We had no fireworks but it was raining (one dog hated this, stood shivering as though I'd made him walk through the Arctic) and then we had leaves to contend with(which the other dog hated, tip toed through them and around them). I gave up after half an hour so now we're home with the fire going and the dog that hates fireworks is in his cave on top of his bed. Have toys stuffed and ready to go when it kicks off. Not sure how happy the OH will be with the noise of a Kong gyro/treat ball being slammed off the skirting boards as he has an online lecture later. So his head phones will be ready too!!

dashoonage · 31-10-2018 6:13pm

The mammy put the madra in at 4, checked the cameras there and shes snug with her arse to the radiator. I'll be home with her in about 30 mins and thats her safe for the night.

Knine · 31-10-2018 6:24pm

My poor little daughter is hiding in her room with ear defenders & radio at full volume.

Bells21 · 31-10-2018 6:58pm

Knine wrote:

My poor little daughter is hiding in her room with ear defenders & radio at full volume.

Hopefully they will die down soon enough and she will have some peace. People don't seem to understand the impact that fireworks have on people/animals.

Alpha_zero · 31-10-2018 7:02pm

tk123 · 31-10-2018 7:57pm

God one went off right over the house - at least 30 bangs in a row. He was all settled with his bone and a knock at the door... My dad's first time answering the door at Halloween and he got a bit over excited.. and freaked Lucy out! Once all of that happened he didn't want the none bone anymore.. Onto a hoof instead.. he's listening to my lecture too for noise lol

em_cat · 31-10-2018 8:07pm

Knine wrote: »

My poor little daughter is hiding in her room with ear defenders & radio at full volume.

Ahh I really feel for your daughter, I’ve a few neighbours that have kids terrified of them. It’s so heartbreaking.

Mr C isn’t bothered by them on tele but in front of the apt you bet. Right now it feels as if we are under mortar attacks...

31-10-2018 8:34pm

We're in my mams house. My two and her border collie aren't bothered at all. But her poor lurcher is walking around and her legs are shaking like jelly. Apparently she's a lot calmer than she was before we arrived though. She obviously finds strength in numbers.

Alpha_zero · 31-10-2018 9:33pm

em_cat wrote: »

Ahh I really feel for your daughter, I’ve a few neighbours that have kids terrified of them. It’s so heartbreaking.

Mr C isn’t bothered by them on tele but in front of the apt you bet. Right now it feels as if we are under mortar attacks...

Talk about being melodramatic get a grip

Cherry Blossom · 31-10-2018 10:00pm

Alpha_zero wrote: »

Talk about being melodramatic get a grip

Yellow Carded - If you have nothing constructive to say in this forum please don't post in it.

em_cat · 31-10-2018 10:22pm

Firing them off less than 30m from our balcony...

tk123 · 31-10-2018 11:26pm

Every time we get some peace more go off! He’s up on the couch with me taking treats and falling asleep

Bells21 · 31-10-2018 11:41pm

Ours have died down, hope it stays that way for the night. Dog has tuckered himself out. He must've walked miles after his treat ball tonight. Going out for a whizz might not be so fun

Cherry Blossom · 31-10-2018 11:45pm

There were some bangers going off here for about an hour. I think it was a neighbour with small kids. The dogs here are not bothered but some reports on the community alert Facebook page of dogs turning up/running scared. 3 reports, all collies.

tk123 · 01-11-2018 12:00am

Baileys asleep on my arm and I don’t dare move!

BrookieD · 01-11-2018 2:43pm

Charlie was very scared, just sat next to me huddled in close ultra-alert to all the noise. felt sorry for him but glad it was just the one night and only a few hours, he went down at 9pm as normal wrecked from nervous energy i think

em_cat · 01-11-2018 7:32pm

2 doses of Sileo and spent the night under the duvet. Had to take the day off as we were woken by some going off in the early am...

tk123 · 02-11-2018 4:08pm

Well Halloween night/Thurs morning he finally settled downstairs (he was upstairs briefly!) around 1:30am... There was a few going off early yesterday evening too but he wasn't that upset - just heard them and moved into the kitchen. It was great to be able to see him fast asleep on his bed all evening - he was upside down on the couch when I came down this morning lol :pac:

Graniteville · 02-11-2018 11:32pm

Just heard a friend's dog died on Halloween night.

Door was opened for trick treat, dog got out and at the same time a firework went off and dog was startled.

Ran to the road and got hit by a car.

Very sad.

They did everything right, dog indoors all day, toilet in enclosed garden, couldn't have done more, but just pure bad luck. His kids are heartbroken.

tk123 · 10-12-2018 12:41pm

FRI - 'I'll have to be careful taking B out in the evenings and keep the walks short to be safe in case anything goes off'
SUN - BOOOM! (When we were inside)

:rolleyes:

SO no evening walks for B until the new year!

Graces7 · 10-12-2018 3:53pm

Graniteville wrote: »

Just heard a friend's dog died on Halloween night.

Door was opened for trick treat, dog got out and at the same time a firework went off and dog was startled.

Ran to the road and got hit by a car.

Very sad.

They did everything right, dog indoors all day, toilet in enclosed garden, couldn't have done more, but just pure bad luck. His kids are heartbroken.

prayers .....

tk123 · 02-01-2019 5:13pm

Well we had great success New Years eve!

He did start to hear them around 9:30ish and got worried. I had pile of chews etc on standby but I decided to try the muffs again secured with vet wrap which seemed to work better than the actual straps on them as they're not stretchy compared to the wrap.. I put a few blobs of that squeezey liver stuff and peanut butter on the lick mat... and he was oblivious all evening! I topped the mat up as needed. We're close enough to the city centre that we'd hear the fireworks for the new years events but he didn't hear anything - we sure did(!) Two big bangs after we went to bed got him up so I made up a bed for him in the kitchen and left the light on

and he was fine.
Still can't believe it! I had gotten the lick mats thinking he probably wouldn't be able for it and would get frustrated with his jaw/tongue but he LOVES it and sits with it for ages.

Bells21 · 02-01-2019 6:02pm

Awh that's brilliant! We only had a couple go off here right around 12. He was conked out so didn't even hear the first few. Then Bella decided that she wasn't impressed with being woken and barked in disgust at them, waking him up. He had a few anxious minutes but was tempted with a chew and by the time he had finished, they had all but stopped.

em_cat · 02-01-2019 6:57pm

Not so lucky here. Ended up huddled under the duvet growling & having a few tracheal collapse episodes. Mr C is better with the quite ones, but the kids set them all off in the plaza below us.

We usually have Sileo, which works really well but I just wasn’t prepared

I think we will go away next year. It’s just not worth it to stay home.

tk123 · 02-01-2019 9:31pm

Ah poor Mr C. There was a distant bang which could have been anything when went for a walk this evening and he got a bit worried. I tricked him with an invisible cat!
I’ve actually started looking into renting somewhere for Halloween. I know we won’t be so lucky and it’s just worse every year and not worth the stress!

2018 Halloween support/rant thread!

Comments