Am I doing the right thing re: fireworks?

[Danni and Freya]

Freya is not keen on fireworks, nor is she completely phobic. She is only 16 months and I am hoping that we can sway more to the side of not being bothered about them. We do a road walk in the evening and if one goes off, although none of them very close, she gets a bit skittish. Tucks her tail in, glues herself to my side looking up for reassurance. I don't react at all, is that right? I know I shouldn't reward her fearful behaviour so I continue to walk as if nothing has happened. I am just a little worried that I might be doing more harm than good, rather than helping the issue 

[Anita D]

We have been advised to ignore it too.  Let's hope people get bored of fireworks quickly this year!

[Eve]

Sounds the right thing to me.

Eve

[Karma]

You could yawn or sigh deeply, or if she can see you lick your lips... these are all calming signals which would help her relax a little...
Or check out Top Barks' "cheese and fireworks" video... by giving cheese at each bang, the noise becomes a signal for something good!!!

[Danni and Freya]

Thanks for that Karma, I will give the calming signals a go. I have watched Marks video and will give this a go in the house if they hear them. We are quite lucky and in an old listed building with walls about a foot and half thick, and two seperate windows of glazing so we don't hear much in here. I wonder if we sat outside with the cheese and did it like that it would be a good idea?

[Mel]

I have squeezy cheese at the ready and waiting for the display to start, though he's not reacting to anything thus far. I hope everyone's dogs are ok tonight.

[Geordietyke]

I've just taken Odie out in the garden to watch our fireworks.  He was fine!  Stood beside me with lots of tail wagging.  I then put him in his crate whilst we had our sparklers but all he done was howled to be let out again   At least I know he is OK with them.  Lesley

[Mudmagnets]

Mine thankfully are ok at present. Smudge is lying on my lap whilst I type this, and Katie is more interested in playing ball than the fireworks. (soft ball - indoors)

I can understand the trauma some dogs (and their owners) have with fireworks. as Suzie my old Collie was just the same and used to sit under the computer table, scared stiff, poor love. 

[Danni and Freya]

The Weymouth beach display is now on, we can hear it as we aren't far from the beach. Had a few barks when there were bigger bangs but settled soo after. I had the window ajar earlier and she wasn't reacting at all to the smaller local bangs, dead chuffed

[Mel]

Well, Tali jumped a little with the really big mortars, which is understandable, but he was more interested in the squeezy cheese. I did a big build up to it, kept going out to the hall with him moved the neighbours plants, etc. He watched most of them. They were not his favourite thing ever but now we can hear other large displays kicking off and he's just fast asleep on the bed. I was just so worried as this display is always a big one and only 500 yards away.

I hope everyone elses dogs are not suffering. My thoughts are with those whose dogs hate this time of year. I know how terrified Berti used to be before he went deaf.

[lindseyp]

Livie's not usually very good with fireworks (barking & pacing) & am trying her on Scullcap & Valerian this year - there are some big fire works going off at the moment & she's just sleeping on my feet - maybe coincidence & has grown out of it or it's working but really pleased for her

[Emma xx]

Hope everyones dogs have been ok this evening. It was Alfie's first bonfire night and mum says he hasnt bat an eyelid at any of them (ive been out all night) , im not surprised though as not much phases him . Meg has never bothered either so maybe that helped Alfie to relax xxx

[Jessie_Pup]

Dylan and Jessie were fine last night and curled up and went to sleep, they had two good walks and we did some search games round the house. The last comfort break for Jessie was difficult, could not get her to go for a wee. So OH put her on a lead and took her out and she went on a bit of grass round the corner.  Don't think she could have held on all night.  Could have the same problem tonight.

[SimonandMandy]

For the first 2 years we walked Harv when the fireworks were on and just acted completely normal and he has been fine ever since with new year, guy fawkes, guns etc. At a fireworks training event for dog owners we went to we were advised that in the first year most puppies will be fine, the second year is the one to watch out for so if you are in first year especially it is an opportunity to get a positive experience to keep building on...

[Sharon]

None of my dogs took any notice of fireworks, our next door neighbour had some last night, my dogs needed to go out in the garden and just continued as normal thankfully even with fireworks going off just 10Mtrs away, we've never made a big deal out of it by doing things differently and for us it's worked well.