Fireworks

[niffer16]

I hope someone can help.I have had a really horrid 3 weeks.In the area we have recently moved to everyone seems to be firework happy.Every night for the past 3 weeks at least one person has let off a bunch of them.Unfortunately our saluki,Billy,is VERY scared of the bangs.We even had to rush him to the vets one year as he nearly went into shock from fireworks 6 miles away.A couple of nights ago some went off and he went straight into the living room and wee'd all over my 7 month old son's clothes.I am at the end of my tether.
We have to sedate him whenever we hear any which,although it helps,you can't do it every night for 3 weeks solid.
We've tried a product called 'rescue remedy' which done absolutely nothing.
A friend suggested getting a cd of fireworks and very gradually building up the volume over a long period whilst he's doing stuff he enjoys.I really want to try it but can't find a cd anywhere.
Does anyone know where I can get one or have any other solutions?What with him eating the house whenever we go out aswell I really am ripping my hair out.
We've also tried a dog behaviourist which didn't work.The other night I was crying my eyes out as I truely love my saluki to pieces but this can't go on.He was a rescue,a stray,and we don't know his background.I got him from the rescue centre I used to be manageress of so I'm no stranger to dogs but this time I am stumped.
Pleeeeeeaaaaassse help me
Jen xx

[niffer16]

Hi.Thanks for the advice.Unfortunately the whole excercise thing before going out we already do.I take him for a good long run,put him in 'his' room,go out for less than an hour & that rooms trashed.We've tried him in nearly every room of the house & we even let him roam the house once....big mistake.As for toys,he has no interest in them whatsoever.The only thing he does like is his treats but he does the damage,waits for us to get home,then eats the treat.
You are sooooo right when you say how smart they are.It makes me laugh how some people think they're thick as two short planks.
We've been using the sedatives for 4 years now & the whole situation seems to be getting worse rather than better,but then that could be because more fireworks are going off?I don't know.I'll try & get that firework cd from somewhere,work him up to it over the next year & still use the sedatives next time,but hopefully he might be a bit more at ease with them.
Greatful for the advice
Jen xx [img]smile.gif[/img]

[fullhouse9873]

I would try working with the sedatives. Try giving a full dose the first night - then gradually cut back on them. In theory - he would gradually get used to the fireworks - and not need them anymore. Of course, run all this by your vet first.

As for the destructive behavior in the house - just give him lots of toys to keep him occupied. Take him out for some excersise - then have calm down time before you leave.

Salukis are a tough breed - they're incredibly smart - which sometimes can be a disadvantadge (they're too smart for their own good!)

[lou3]

Try crating. A lot of people think its mean to put a dog in a crate but a lot of dogs feel very happy in there, drape blankets over it so its dark and make his bed in there for a nite time. This should make him feel secure when hes in there and less likely to be destructive. It may also work for the fireworks problem. Most dogs will naturally crawl into a small dark hole when frightened so its a good thing for them to have one ready and waiting.
Its just a question of finding out whether it works for your dog (for example it works for my pointers, terrier and wolf dog but not for my spaniel)
Lou

[fullhouse9873]

We went on vacation for two weeks this summer - and had a friend of ours stay with the dogs. They wouldn't chew their bones while we were gone - so before she left, she would spread peanut butter on them. This helped keep the boys interested in their bones - and not other things (although they did get a couple scratches in my couch cushions!). I thought I read in a previous post that you had tried crating your dog - but it didn't work. My last dog was unable to be crated. He had severe seperation anxiety - and broke through every crate we put him in. We ended upcleaning out a room in the basement for him - and left him in there with some toys and water - and he was fine. We did have to add a piece of plywood along the bottom of the door after he almost scratched through it - but luckily for us the walls are all brick down there - so he couldn't destroy too much.