The 4th of July is hell.

[LuckyCharms]

It's my poor dog, he does not tolerate loud noises well at all. He is inconsolable, and I've tried about everything. Distracting and soothing soothing loud music, melatonin, etc.

It's not the fireworks per se...they are over relatively quickly. But rather, it's the drunks in the neighborhood setting off all kinds of explosives at all kinds of hours.

I don't understand the obsession with things that go boom.

[YOHABLO]

1. They're all little boys with little toys ... then they graduate to AR-15s

[Throck]

7. Are you making an assumption that only males play with fireworks?

I know a couple of left handed women.

[DownriverDem]

22. For the most part

it's men.

[pansypoo53219]

2. previous cats would bury themselves under beds or couches.

current cat hisses. how dare they.

[forgotmylogin]

23. I have one cat who disappears at the first sign of loud noises.

Storms, yelling, fireworks.

The other cat I actually took in as a stray a year ago ON 4th of July, so she's wary but not terrified of fireworks.

[Throck]

3. Is he sensitive to thunder and lighting as well?

One of our dearly departed Shepherds could hear a storm way before our human ears could. She would even react to thunder, fireworks, gunfire on TV. Cuddling her was about the only thing that comforted her. She was our most emotional dog.

Your dog is lucky to have you that understands this.

[sakabatou]

4. I'm awful with loud noises myself

[Rhiannon12866]

5. My Cairn Terrier was the same way, he freaked out and was inconsolable during thunderstorms

And reacted the same way to noises like fireworks. If anything like that was going on, he couldn't be left alone, sometimes my entire family would rush home. We have fireworks around here too, both official ones close enough to hear and sometimes from neighbors. I can remember taking him to work with me on July 4th and when there was thunder. It was far enough away and you couldn't hear a thing there, that was the only solution I came up with.

[Demsrule86]

6. My son was at a family party (his wife's side)...he got married in October so

this was the first big family thing... cousins I think and an aunt/uncle. Well the aunt told her son-in -law not to set off firecrackers until she saw to the dog...he didn't hear her and did it anyway...she responded with with a 'I fucking told you not to do that...what is your problem' and other verbal abuse...then the son-in-law got mad at his wife because she didn't defend him. The uncle got mad at the aunt because he created a scene...long story short ...the guest all found reasons to leave ASAP and Aunt, Uncle, daughter and son-in-law all slept apart...guys on the couch...My son said it was super embarrassing.

[boston bean]

8. Try the Thunder Jacket. It really works.

[dewsgirl]

10. We live in Florida and have one, it helps sometimes. Since there

Are thinderstorms almost daily, she usually ends up hiding under anything she can get her self under.
The 4th of July is like a war zone for her, last year she ended up, hiding in a closet upstairs(she never goes up there, ever) I have her benadryl and she was wearing the thunder jacket.
I stay home while the rest of the family goes to see the fireworks. I feel so helpless, she shakes constantly, doesn't want physical contact and just looks at me like this is my fault somehow.

[Lulu KC]

9. Benedryl?

It worked well with our dogs who suffered.

[Drahthaardogs]

11. This is likely genetic

As true noise sensitivity appears to be. Call your vet and medicate the animal

[RamblingRose]

12. Last year we discovered putting a white noise machine turned up really loud next to her crate

did the job. Maybe a fan on high would work too.

She's a Cairn Terrier Dachshund mix.

[Vinca]

13. My cats get upset, too, and we're miles from the biggest fireworks display in the area.

I've never liked them myself. I remember being a little kid at a fireworks event holding my hands over my ears and screaming and crying. Now, at nearly 70, I'm freaked out by thunder and I blame it on those fireworks.

[SouthernIrish]

14. Thunderjackets work

Especially if you put it on the dog before the the noise begins. If you have a large wind tunnel fan, turn it on. It creates white noise. So much better than music. Mix both of these with benadryl. All 3 together make a big difference.

Best of luck to your baby. These idiots around here have fireworks for about 5 days straight. We live in the city limits wjere it is illegal.

[Brainstormy]

21. thunder shirts never worked for us,

Benadryl helps a little. We'll try the fan. Thanks.

[Brainstormy]

15. Just posted on Facebook

To all those preparing to get your annual juvenile jerk-off thrill by exploding fireworks and terrorizing horses, wild animals, and household pets (especially mine!), I'd like to say that I hope, at the very least, you lose a little finger.

[heaven05]

17. ha!!!

say it loud...

[phylny]

19. When we lived in Northwest Indiana, we had an orthopedic surgeon

and dentist who lived across the street. Every damned 4th of July, we'd have stuff blowing up. Two men who made a living with their hands - what idiots.

We had a dog back then who couldn't even go out because she was terrified. The next day, all their blown up crap was all over our lawn. So, my husband and I would gather it and dump it on their driveways.

[heaven05]

16. have you heard of a thunder shirt

for dogs. My dog does not have one, but I've read up on them. Yeah my problem with mine is the same. I just sit with him. I listen to a lot of new age. It seems to quiet him down. Hell some of these damn firework noise's upset me. Especially the very loud booms.

I see what disrespect I had as a kid for our veterans. Live and learn I guess. Good luck with your furry companion. I just get my fans going, close my windows, turn up the ambient sound to muffle the explosions and let him find his 'safe' spot under my desk.

The obsession is, I think, all because the person setting off these explosions are powerful when setting off big booms and noises.

I commiserate. It's heartbreaking to watch a dog not understanding the noise, I know.

[theaocp]

18. One of our dogs does as well.

The other and our cat couldn’t care less. That being said, it bears repeating that many combat vets go through this hell as well, so to all the jerks setting off this shit: CUT IT THE FUCK OUT. Thanks.

[zeusdogmom]

20. Zeus Dog feels your dog's pain

I live next to my city's 4th of July celebration site - including the fireworks at the end of the evening. All afternoon strange people are parking and walking thru the neighborhood - and since Zeus has taken on the early warning detection job of "stranger alert" he spends a good part of the afternoon and evening already on full alert and somewhat anxious. Crank up the music at the park and finish it with fireworks shot toward my neighborhood ... I just try to move Zeus and myself to the front of the house far as possible from the fireworks, close windows, make sure there is a radio playing, rub him down with peace and calming oil, give him a new bone to chew, pour me a glass of wine, and try to sneak a peak or two out of the window - because I really like fireworks.

What really sets Zeus off though are those random firecrackers which are shot off by neighbors at various times throughout the days working up to the 4th and after the official celebration. hArd to prepare for those.

[mahina]

24. My dogs beeline it for the bathtub. Maybe it will help yours to be there too.

Somehow it’s comforting for nervous doggies.

We spend New Years and the 4th singing to dogs in the bathtub. Wheee.