As some know we've had a really hard year with Homers fear of noise. I've been playing the Dogs Trust sounds scary fireworks tracks starting at low volume then slowly building up the volume over many months. I have to admit I've not been as dedicated as I hoped but we've made huge progress from him walking out the room to hide upstairs at volume level 1 to today playing happily with his ball at volume 30 hardly noticing the sounds, only with the occasional pause in play. Divali starts today to although feeling positive we've also got his Sileo medication in the drawer ready if necessary. I took some videos but I can't upload them on here. I'll try using the Facebook page.
Hope the 'real thing' goes well for Homer Great job on putting in the work to give him the coping skills he needs.
Well done for your vigilance re the tapes , I used them for my previous dogs who were terrified of fireworks and they worked a treat . I guess I`m fortunate in having one dog who isn't bothered and another who is deaf , one advantage ! Good luck x
Fingers crossed it goes well with Homer. It sounds like you have made huge progress. Unfortunately the past 2 nights there have been quite a lot of fireworks which has started Harley barking and barking. If we let her in the garden she will bark a few times then come back in, but if we try and distract her or not let her out she continues barking and gets quite frantic and agitated. I don't want to annoy the neighbours and she rarely barks outside, but it seems the better option at the minute. Think I'm going to go and buy the tracks to desensitise her
Good luck Jes and Homer. It sounds like you've made fabulous progress. I hope it all goes smoothly for you. How is he getting on with his meds?
There were a few bangs last night around 8-9 pm, we played the fireworks tracks on a medium level at the same time as the real ones outside. I gave him small pieces of sausage at regular intervals which he gobbled up wanting more. This is so different from before, he refuses even the tastiest treats when he's anxious. There are strong winds and rain forecast for the next few days which may put a bit of a dampener on the bangs.
Oh that sounds so promising! And what a clever thought to play the fireworks track that he's used to over the "new" bangs. Well done
That's great - really impressive progress. It sounds like you've done a great job on the desensitisation. I've used the sounds scary tracks with Jess but in the upheaval of moving I've lost the CD and hadn't burned another one. I wonder if it might be worth trying it for the next couple of weeks anyway. Our 'new' house is much noiser & scarier for Jess in general but not nearly as bad for fireworks as the old one so we've not heard any here yet. Great news for Homer!
So far so good. There were a few more fireworks last night, after we'd gone to ben and the house was quiet. Homer scratched half heartedly but nothing like the panic last year. I rang the Mandir and they said there wouldn't be a display tonight. So hopefully we've got past Diwali with success. I found out that during Diwali Hindus celebrate sisters with brothers and sisters getting together for a meal . Now to get ready for the silly season of Bon Fire night (or week!)
Update- We got through Diwali it hour having to use Sileo. The Diwali fireworks are a little further away so not too bad for us. A little half hearted scratching now and then. Managed to get through hallabaloo of Haloween. Bon fire night (week) Thursday there were a few small bangs, we managed. Friday was the big display 200m from our house so we bundled into the car and drove out to see FIL for bangers and mash tea. Tonight, Saturday, we drove along the M4 to Leigh Delaware services for Burger King and back so missed the other nearby displays. At the last roundabout on the way home, 11pm, there was a loud popper then a few more. We gave him a dose of Sileo but he scratched at the carpets for quite a bit, 45 minutes after the dose he's fast asleep. Still got Sunday to get through.
This time of year must be so difficult for you, but it sounds like you are doing everything to ease Homer through this season. Next year bring him to stay with us The public ones can only be heard in the distance, and someone closer had some for 20 minutes or so, the worst that happened was Cass leapt off the chair and sent my wine flying across the floor
An update, Sunday 4th November was not so good☹️ Homer had been fast asleep next to me all afternoon, at about 4pm Hubby picked up hugs lead and asked him if he wanted to go out for his afternoon poop, poor H lifted one ear, put his head back down and was not going anywhere. We were having such a quiet peaceful afternoon watching a film on telly. I was just about to give him a dose of Sileo at 5pm when BANG! POP! , BANG! The noisy neighbours behind us set of fireworks in their garden. London terrace houses with postage stamp outside space so REALLY close. Poor H who had been out to the world snoring peacefully jumped up shaking. Hubby and I quickly gave him a dose of Sileo but obviously too late. So annoyed with noisy neighbours and myself for not anticipating that they would set them off so early, or at all. Homer spent most of the evening scratching at the carpet upstairs but had moments when he would be comforted and have tummy rubs and rest. Sileo must have had some effect but he didn't relax completely all evening, up again at every sound, however we went to bed at 10pm without further disturbances. He had three doses on Sunday evening altogether, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. A few more short flurries of bangs during the week but further away and quite short. thus week end has been quiet so far so hopefully it's all over for now.
Lessons learnt... Sertraline has made a big difference. He still scratches bit not once, even after Sunday's loud bangs was his heart rate racing or rasping panting that we had last year. Sileo also works for us but needs to be given well in advance. Easier to administer than it sounds in the instructions and Homer loves it so is happy to lie on his side. Even Hubby was able to administer a dose (to Homer) all by himself! Going for a drive along the motorway works but we need to go further or more slowly so we are back well after 11pm. Emailing all local organisations helped me plan the weekend and gave me some sense of control. Interesting responses and I'll do the same next year. Remember to ask neighbours, especially the noisy exactly when they will set of fireworks. Classic FM is a winner too.
It really sounds quite positive. OK, not as wholly uneventful as you'd like, but huge steps in the right direction. I think you're on the way to cracking it
Thanks, that means such a lot! Yes, we have made progress! There were times he wouldn't even go out the front door. It's been such slow going as I could only dare start desensitising a few weeks before. And not sure whether to start with fireworks or building noises. Now for the next challenge! Hubby's taking Homer Skiing.
