bonfire night

[iana1]

hi, we are looking for a site in yorkshire/ notts/ lincs/ derbyshire area that will be quiet on the weekend of 5/6 th november. i.e. little or no firework noise. we have a gorgeous placid dog that litterally climbs the walls with loud bangs, fireworks/shooting/thunder etc. we have tried everything including cages and drugs et al but nothing works.
any help re sites would be most welcome
ian

 

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi Ian, we have exactly the same problem as you, our little Patterdale terrier is beside herself with all the firework noise, any shooting or loud aircraft noise has the same effect.
We have found it very difficult to find a site far enough away from civilisation not to bother her, we normally head to a CL near Saxilby Lincolnshire, its pretty remote, but you still hear fireworks!
We live in Leicester, i would be very interested to hear from you if you find anywhere!

Kind regards Andrew & Sally.

 

[Mel]

I can't help with sites. I suspect you are going to have to find a CL in the absolute middle of nowhere to get beyond a dog's hearing. I suspect I am going to get severe flak for the next bit, but it worked for us....when our dog fussed about fireworks I told her off and sent her to her basket and did not offer any fuss or comfort. I also quickly admonished her if she whinged from her basket, (real "I am the pack leader" stuff). It made her more secure and she doesn't really bother now, just heads for her basket.
Hope you find a solution that works for your dogs,
mel

 

[LMH]

This is a very interesting subject. I really think its time fireworks should be banned for sale to the public. Apart from terrifying some animals, they're used in many antisocial situations and of course, are dangerous in the wrong hands.

I have two dogs, one is fine with fireworks both the noise and visually, the other is terrified. I have never considered going somewhere in the van around bonfire night as I always thought well, the van has thinner walls than a house.

During the run up to bonfire night, each evening, we close the blinds and curtains in the house, turn up the volume on the tv, have the dog in the lounge with us. That has helped considerably.

I'm with Mel on the psychology aspect, we totally ignore the dog if it gets distressed.

Comfort a dog when its terrified = reinforce the fear

Last year, I went outside and recorded the noise from the fireworks and have been playing it back to the dog over the summer. It appears to have desensitised her somewhat. We'll see as it gets nearer to bonfire night.

You'll have to let us know how you get on.

Lisa

 

[Mel]

Thanks Lisa. I really respect your knowledge of all things 4 legged. I was concerned that we were being a bit hard. Glad to hear we got it right, although the results spoke for themselves.
mel

 

[hogrider56]

Try a Cl at a village called South Cliffe, just north of Lincoln, behind the showground. I'm not sure what name it goes under, but the owner is a farmer of the name of Marris. It is nearly a mile off the road, very very quiet

 

[LMH]

That site is really nice, got its own little woodland, we've stopped there.

 

[LMH]

Hi Mel

Thanks for the support and comments, really appreciate that. Although my area is specifically Staffordshire Bull Terriers, all the principles are the same.

I assess most dogs in their homes and sometimes, when the owner describes what is happening and how 'unruly, territorial, etc etc' the dog is, I sometimes dread the visits. The majority of problems can be put right or aliviated with advice and knowledge. Something I am building up as each day we learn more as different situations arise. And, there's always help available from people sooooo experienced in the breed, or general canine psychology. Of course, there's alwyas the doubters and people who scoff and call people such as myself as 'up yourself' or 'showing her superiority' (as I was described on another forum recently) but that's something we have to live with. LOL! If I can help just a handful of stressed dogs and stressed owners, then, that's good enough for me.

Lisa xxxx

 

[iana1]

thanks all for the feedback, we are going to try strid wood, well we are if we can book the friday night (only saturday available at the mo) but i will certainly look into the one at south cliffe.

p.s. our dog is a staffi/lab cross and we got her from rspca bawtry when she was 15mth old, she was brought back by the people who took her as a pup from there !!! she is 7 now and still totally adorable.

 

[erica11]

Hi, We have 3 dogs that are terrified of the fireworks going off the bigger dog is the worst he goes mad barking and jumping around usually we go in our caravan but this year the caravan is in for servicing. It was that bad one year we spent all bonfire night driving up and down the motorway at least that way they didn,t hear the fireworks going off.

 

[iana1]

now booked on strid wood friday and saturday 5/6th november ! will let you know how it goes
Thanks

 

[ValA.]

I really hope the wind is in the wrong direction then, because this is going on a couple of miles down the road:
http://www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk/bonfire-night.cfm
It's very popular, and is known to be very noisy!

 

[iana1]

i hope so too but if its just the 1 night and a fireworks display then we'll cope with that. it can't be any worse than where we live, it will start at around 4pm and be a constant barrage until well gone 2am on both friday and saturday and probably sunday too.
i had resigned myself to having another rough few days anyway so hopefully it will be better

 

[ValA.]

I hope so too - at least if it's bad you ought to be able to find a dog friendly local pub (there are lots around that area - used to farmers with dogs) where the dog is welcome, and the walls thick enough to keep out the noise!
Have a great weekend, and enjoy the Dales (we're just around the corner!).

 

[iana1]

Thanks val, i'm sure we will ! spent many good times up in the dales (it's not that far really) but this will be the first time in the van. just hope the weather is good through the day and heavy rain at night lol !!

Ian

 

[iana1]

Hi all, just thought i'd let you know how we got on at strid wood. arrived friday evening after dropping our son off at his grandmas then battling the traffic for 2 hours to do the 58m to bolton abbey, passing the devonshire arms on route. Wife had a pleasent surprise when checking in with the warden, turns out they used to travel to work in leeds on the same train everyday

.
Anyway, we we got set up and settled down in the van, got the tv on and ate, there were a few fireworks in the distance but nothing that upset the dog, so friday was smiles all round

. saturday we were up bright and early and had a lovely 3 hour walk including a stop at the cavendish pavilion for coffee and the biggest piece of cake i've ever had. The afternoon was spent in skipton. Saturday evening was much like friday but the dog was fast asleep so didnt flinch at all.
Overall we had a fantastic time, lovely site in a lovely area !! we will be back
Ian

 

[ValA.]

I'm glad to hear you had a good time - the weather was really quite good here for Bonfire Night - not perishing cold like it sometimes is! We had a bonfire at home with my sister and her family, then went to the local Scouts Bonfire where there are some fantastic fireworks, and plenty of lovely food.
It's a lovely area in the summer too, but more traffic!