How do people live near WDW with dogs?

[mom2rtk]

They go absolutely nuts when someone knocks on the door, though.

We had one once who went nuts every afternoon when the UPS truck went down the street. Actually broke through the screen once and tore the UPS man's pants. So glad we had a really nice UPS man.

 

[powellrj]

We adopted a schnorkie a few weeks ago and this is the first dog we have ever had that hasn't noticed the fireworks at all. We have new neighbors that have been setting them off all week. She puts her head up, looks around and then just plops back down without barking. It looks to be an easy 4th this year.

She will yap when someone knocks, but its not bad.

 

[GreatLakes]

It depends on the dog. Our current dog looses his <edited> during storms and fireworks. It would be cruel to live near the parks with him. Our last two didn't care about either. We would bring them to some of the local fireworks shows with us and they would just ignore the fireworks and try to con pettings out of people.

I do suspect if you got a dog as a puppy and desensitized them while they were young many wouldn't have a problem. There are breeds more disposed to fear or anxiety due to noise. The herding breads I believe are known to be more susceptible and our current dog is part Australian Cattle Dog so there you go.

 

[Westcoastwild]

It depends on the dog. Our current dog looses his <edited> during storms and fireworks. It would be cruel to live near the parks with him. Our last two didn't care about either. We would bring them to some of the local fireworks shows with us and they would just ignore the fireworks and try to con pettings out of people.

I do suspect if you got a dog as a puppy and desensitized them while they were young many wouldn't have a problem. There are breeds more disposed to fear or anxiety due to noise. The herding breads I believe are known to be more susceptible and our current dog is part Australian Cattle Dog so there you go.

In the case of one dog- we had socialized him at fireworks shows and he was fine until one year when the neighbors were using these things that were aptly called "sonic booms". So you may want be careful with that kind of scenario. Fireworks can misfire or certain kinds can startle even the calmest dog. After that, all fireworks were associated with sonic booms In the dogs head and he developed a severe nervous reaction. He was 7- so the 7 years prior to that had not been a problem but then after that experience, the 4th was a huge stressor until his death.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It depends on the dog. Our current dog looses his <edited> during storms and fireworks. It would be cruel to live near the parks with him. Our last two didn't care about either. We would bring them to some of the local fireworks shows with us and they would just ignore the fireworks and try to con pettings out of people.

I do suspect if you got a dog as a puppy and desensitized them while they were young many wouldn't have a problem. There are breeds more disposed to fear or anxiety due to noise. The herding breads I believe are known to be more susceptible and our current dog is part Australian Cattle Dog so there you go.

Aw, poor dog. Do you get a lot of thunderstorms where you live?

This little guy (Shih Tzu) was born at the end of last July. It's funny, he's totally cool with thunderstorms. I think because he heard a lot of them during his formative weeks (up to 14 weeks) last summer.

But he probably missed the fireworks desensitization due to his birthday!

 

[Corbie]

I don't live near Orlando, but do have suggestion for anyone with dogs. Don't try to soothe them. To a dog, that means something is wrong. It won't help if the dog is already afraid of the fireworks (in which case I suggest either let the dog find their safe place and leave them alone or [if possible] some sort of essential oil or even medication if necessary). But, if your dogs are new to the loud noises, the best thing you can do is act normal and try to distract the dog (play, training, something normal) but not stroke it and pet it and say, 'there, there, don't be afraid.' Be normal.

 

[GreatLakes]

Aw, poor dog. Do you get a lot of thunderstorms where you live?

This little guy (Shih Tzu) was born at the end of last July. It's funny, he's totally cool with thunderstorms. I think because he heard a lot of them during his formative weeks (up to 14 weeks) last summer.

But he probably missed the fireworks desensitization due to his birthday!

We do get some but not too many. He was a rescue and his behavior leads us to think he was just left outside a lot wherever he was before we got him.

 

[pigletto]

I don't live near Orlando, but do have suggestion for anyone with dogs. Don't try to soothe them. To a dog, that means something is wrong. It won't help if the dog is already afraid of the fireworks (in which case I suggest either let the dog find their safe place and leave them alone or [if possible] some sort of essential oil or even medication if necessary). But, if your dogs are new to the loud noises, the best thing you can do is act normal and try to distract the dog (play, training, something normal) but not stroke it and pet it and say, 'there, there, don't be afraid.' Be normal.

We learned this as well from out trainer when we were training our lab puppy. It's a lifesaver to understand that you aren't soothing a fearful behaivour.. you are REINFORCING it!!! I'm glad we learned that early. Our dog used to nearly jump out of his skin when we were walking and the garbage truck or any other large vehicle went by. The only thing I could do.. keep walking and say nothing. Remember to reinforce the behaivour you want. So praise them when they are done cowering.
The same trainer advised us to keep frozen treats in the fridge (a kong with kibble in it) and pull it out when thunder or fireworks started. We have two labs now who run and sit in front of the fridge for loud noises.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The same trainer advised us to keep frozen treats in the fridge (a kong with kibble in it) and pull it out when thunder or fireworks started. We have two labs now who run and sit in front of the fridge for loud noises.

So cute

 

[Lynne G]

I guess I am lucky, the dogs that I've had, never bothered with loud noises. Heck, my yellow lab boy used to make a huge mud hole, and lay in it through a thunderstorm. Sadly, all are gone now.

My sister has a dog that hates noise. He was a rescue. She opens her bedroom closets, and the dog goes in one of them when he's anxious. No barking either.