How can I help my Baby Boy

songkrai · 07-12-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

.

Go buy yourself a starter pistol and blanks. Cost will be around $30.00

Dan

P.S. Wear ear plugs when doing this. Your pup should be O.K. as he will not be as close to the starter pistol as you are.

This is exactly what I did with my dog. Dog never got nervous with thunder and fireworks.

May or may not work with all dogs but did work with mine.

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-12-2011, 07:10 AM

Our oldest dog (10) is a wreck with thunder and fireworks. We have found that putting him in a shaded room with the radio going loud seems to reduce how upset he gets.

We have noticed this year that with the new puppy who could care less about the loud sounds, the older dog is doing a lot better by the good example.

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-12-2011, 09:54 AM

In addition to what Paul stated, we also put him into his crate, so he will feel safer. One of his favorite places is in the crate, under his bed.

He also likes to hide in the pantry, any open closet, tote bags and under the bed that has a bunch of stuff stored. Basically any nook that he can fit into.

Good luck eillac. I hope you can figure something out to help Hunter.

tis · 07-12-2011, 07:11 PM

My tiny little girl has the same problem and it makes me feel so bad. She has been shaking for much of the last week. The wind and rain also seem to scare her. I think maybe she connects them with the thunder. We heard some fireworks go off this afternoon again.

I have given her rescue remedy and it seems to help some.

It seems she is getting a little better because if we are in bed (of course she sleeps there) it doesn't seem to bother her.

That's my boy in the picture. Nothing bothers him.

eillac@dow · 07-12-2011, 07:46 PM

Wow, thanks everyone for your advice.

One of my FB friends also commented on the Rescue Remedy. I might give that a shot. His issues really just surface with Fireworks. He has never had a problem with loud noises or Thunder.

If the Rescue Remedy does not work, I could try the Thundershirt. I am hesitant to try the pistol as we just got a new kitty (15 wks old....named Tuukka...after the Bruins backup goalie

I am afraid I will spook the cat with the pistol.

Even today, July 12th, he is still not himself. He is typically outside 15 times a day....we just open the door and he plays and runs in the yard. Now, I basically have to step outside first and then he will come out. I can go back inside but he will only stay out there for a short period of time by himself.

Thanks again everyone.

@ steadyon....you must know me

.....cause I do baby him

Perhaps I will try to handle it a little differently.

SIKSUKR · 07-13-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

In addition to what Paul stated, we also put him into his crate, so he will feel safer. One of his favorite places is in the crate, under his bed.

I had a dog that would feel the safest in the back seat of our car.Probably not an option for you guys.

MikeF-NH · 07-13-2011, 11:15 AM

I agree that the dog (at least partially) is feeding off your emotions and concerns. You need to be excited and happy to hear them and be setting the example rather than transmitting the concern for your "baby boy".

I like the starter pistol idea but have a different approach with it. GSPs are hunting dogs....finding prey, pointing and fetching is engrained in their genes. Try this:
1.) buy a couple of tennis balls and a small bottle of "pheasant" or "grouse" scent (available at all sporting goods stores that sell hunting goods) and put about 20 drops on each ball.
2.) start by having him fetch the ball in your open back yard
3.) next have him start trying to find "hidden balls" that you place in the edge of your yard (now he is REALLY into this game)
4.) now have a person with the starter pistol at least 50 feet away from you fire as you throw the ball (your dog will begin to associate the bang with his ball). The more you do this, the more the association of the shot will be with his ball

Hunting breeds love this and even though you may not hunt, he IS a hunter and this uses instincts he wants to use, gives him great exercise that GSPs need and beings the process of associating loud sounds with his favorite game.

07-12-2011, 09:54 AM	#3
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	Our Boy In addition to what Paul stated, we also put him into his crate, so he will feel safer. One of his favorite places is in the crate, under his bed. He also likes to hide in the pantry, any open closet, tote bags and under the bed that has a bunch of stuff stored. Basically any nook that he can fit into. Good luck eillac. I hope you can figure something out to help Hunter.

07-12-2011, 07:46 PM	#5
eillac@dow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dow Island & Weymouth, MA Posts: 365 Thanks: 294 Thanked 94 Times in 48 Posts	Thank you. Wow, thanks everyone for your advice. One of my FB friends also commented on the Rescue Remedy. I might give that a shot. His issues really just surface with Fireworks. He has never had a problem with loud noises or Thunder. If the Rescue Remedy does not work, I could try the Thundershirt. I am hesitant to try the pistol as we just got a new kitty (15 wks old....named Tuukka...after the Bruins backup goalie I am afraid I will spook the cat with the pistol. Even today, July 12th, he is still not himself. He is typically outside 15 times a day....we just open the door and he plays and runs in the yard. Now, I basically have to step outside first and then he will come out. I can go back inside but he will only stay out there for a short period of time by himself. Thanks again everyone. @ steadyon....you must know me .....cause I do baby him Perhaps I will try to handle it a little differently.

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07-12-2011, 07:10 AM	#2
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Our oldest dog (10) is a wreck with thunder and fireworks. We have found that putting him in a shaded room with the radio going loud seems to reduce how upset he gets. We have noticed this year that with the new puppy who could care less about the loud sounds, the older dog is doing a lot better by the good example.

07-12-2011, 07:11 PM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,946 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	My tiny little girl has the same problem and it makes me feel so bad. She has been shaking for much of the last week. The wind and rain also seem to scare her. I think maybe she connects them with the thunder. We heard some fireworks go off this afternoon again. I have given her rescue remedy and it seems to help some. It seems she is getting a little better because if we are in bed (of course she sleeps there) it doesn't seem to bother her. That's my boy in the picture. Nothing bothers him.

07-13-2011, 11:15 AM	#7
MikeF-NH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 320 Thanks: 2 Thanked 120 Times in 80 Posts	I agree that the dog (at least partially) is feeding off your emotions and concerns. You need to be excited and happy to hear them and be setting the example rather than transmitting the concern for your "baby boy". I like the starter pistol idea but have a different approach with it. GSPs are hunting dogs....finding prey, pointing and fetching is engrained in their genes. Try this: 1.) buy a couple of tennis balls and a small bottle of "pheasant" or "grouse" scent (available at all sporting goods stores that sell hunting goods) and put about 20 drops on each ball. 2.) start by having him fetch the ball in your open back yard 3.) next have him start trying to find "hidden balls" that you place in the edge of your yard (now he is REALLY into this game) 4.) now have a person with the starter pistol at least 50 feet away from you fire as you throw the ball (your dog will begin to associate the bang with his ball). The more you do this, the more the association of the shot will be with his ball Hunting breeds love this and even though you may not hunt, he IS a hunter and this uses instincts he wants to use, gives him great exercise that GSPs need and beings the process of associating loud sounds with his favorite game.