Fireworks scares animals

While the neighborhood dogs and those miles away set up a barking chorus which echoes o'er hill and dale, my cats sleep soundly through crashing thunderstorms and the banging of fireworks with not a care. But if a car or someone on foot comes up the driveway they're on full alert ...

That's great for you, OT but the fact remains that more pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.

Yes I know that fact. A little levity goes thunk again. 😀

Alana33, great point! Fireworks celebrations are the worst time for dogs, and as you said, many do get lost.

Our dog used to freak out with fireworks and thunderstorms when she was a puppy. One time, when she was getting very upset, we did something that made everything better. She now sleeps through any thunderstorm without an issues.

However fireworks can be a great opportunity to "train" your dog to not be afraid of the noise.

Go to the store and buy some bacon, or ham, or any treat that your dog absolutely loves. It needs to be small pieces and really something that they consider special.

When you see the "light" from fireworks, start giving your dog small pieces of the treats. So that he/she is eating the treat as the "boom" happens. Again, it has to be something he/she loves, and not something they get everyday, or for normal training. Really has to be something special so that it completely distracts them from the boom.

The nice part is that you KNOW when the boom will happen, so you can use the consistency. I think this would be very hard to do with a thunder storm.

We did this 2 or 3 times, and she is no longer even mildly concerned when thunderstorms occur. The only downside....when she sees fireworks, she gets really excited and runs to the fridge!

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/fireworks-and-pets

Fireworks and pets.

As far as I know, no fireworks scheduled on STT (a couple of resorts may be setting off very short displays). St Croix fireworks display in Frederiksted and St John end of carnival fireworks about 30 minutes max.

Most stateside displays are way longer and way bigger. Of course pet owners should be made aware that some of the animals in their care may be affected by the noise but in general this is something they already know. Irresponsible animal owners don't give a rat's patootie wherever they may reside.

A point was made, ramming home the point by citing stateside (or universal) stats is moot.

A big part of the problem back in the states is not the scheduled fireworks that one can prepare for, but the neighborhood ones that can happen any time over the course of a few days. I haven't experienced that here. Harder to get a hold of the big ones.

As for the dog training, we started ours out early. Every time we got a thunderstorm, we got down on the floor and played with toys. Nine years later, when she first hears thunder, she brings a toy to us. Storms mean play time. It works for all but the worst storms. And those she only barks at. I guess she thinks it works because the thunder does go away.

As far as I know, no fireworks scheduled on STT (a couple of resorts may be setting off very short displays). St Croix fireworks display in Frederiksted and St John end of carnival fireworks about 30 minutes max.

Most stateside displays are way longer and way bigger. Of course pet owners should be made aware that some of the animals in their care may be affected by the noise but in general this is something they already know. Irresponsible animal owners don't give a rat's patootie wherever they may reside.

A point was made, ramming home the point by citing stateside (or universal) stats is moot.

So what exactly does it matter to you about my "ramming home the point" if I'm indeed doing so? Should I okay everything I post with you?
Give it a rest.

My point is to keep animals safe and not to have them get lost.
It doesn't take but seconds for an animal to get frightened, much less from a 30 minute barrage.
STJ fireworks can be heard on the east end of the STT and very loudly on STJ.
Heck, I used to hear them up at Mandhal Peak, quite clearly where I used to live.
Ritz Carlton often have their own displays as does the Marriott.
On STX, according to another thread, they'll be having fireworks.

No independence today for you, Alana!! 😉

Now THIS would be ramming home the point:

Baxter and Dixie

😉

Will somebody give me bacon every time thunder happens.....please........

Sure, come on over!

Speaking of fireworks, here's a video of the display on STJ by Steve Simonson.

https://vimeo.com/173469425

How thoughtless to have fireworks when they invoke so much pain on dogs, cats, shell shocked veterans, children with ADD, people with PTSD and so on.

In fact, so many people and animals suffer from the loud explosions and lights every year (not to mention fires and accidents)that they government should consider banning them.

They should certainly be banned at SeaWorld.

They should certainly be banned at SeaWorld.

And Disney

And Busch Gardens

No reason to single out one park that has animals.

Isn't there?

BAN ALL THE THINGS!

Let's just cull all pets, livestock of all kinds and human beings who're scared of fireworks and that'll be that. Then remove the ban on fireworks so that everyone, year round, day in and day out can happily light up and have fun. Legalize MJ then we can all sit around getting stoned and watch the pretties exploding while munching on crispy bacon and other assorted treats.

A friend, a nurse was driving her scooter in full control when a rental car driven by a visitor crossed over into her lane and smashed into her. She lost her leg. This happened on STX a few months ago. Then again I suppose that's why they call them accidents. I'd love the economy of a scooter but our road conditions are the deal breaker. Now if we had shoulders on the roads and painted lines and an open container law and pot holes smaller than a scooter tire then perhaps I would reconsider. Even then I'd wear fluorescent colors, the best helmet that money can buy and a racing suit.

Might want to copy, paste and move this over to the scooter thread.:D

They all seem to merge into one thread after awhile.

They make silent fireworks