Community Forums

Bobby808 · 03-13-2016, 11:22 AM

My wife and I have a noise phobic border collie. We have to set him up in kennel here in Huntington Beach, CA every 4th of July due to the illegal fireworks that are going off in ALL of Orange County the last few years.
If it were just a little fear the dog has where a bit of comforting by my wife and I would solve the issue, I would not be asking for help. This dog is a rescue, so we had no time while he was young to condition him for these loud (booming) sounds.
It's a condition that can only be described like the human condition known as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
With all this said, we are looking for some help to find a quiet location to take a family trip with our dog the weekend of July 4th (7-1-16 through 7-5-16). A place that has ZERO illegal fireworks going off.
We are located in Orange County, CA...so we are looking for anywhere in SoCAl, Arizona or even Southern Nevada. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your help

Bobby G.

sd75mac · 03-13-2016, 11:27 AM

Have you tried a Thunder Coat? We have relatives with the same issue and their Thunder Coat works.

TinCanTee · 03-13-2016, 11:46 AM

Check with state parks in those states. I'm pretty sure that at least, AZ parks do not allow fireworks.

Bobby808 · 03-13-2016, 11:46 AM

Thank you- yes we actually have 2 of them. They help bring down the anxiety a notch or two, but being that he has 3 herding breeds in his DNA, acute hearing is natural for him. With that acute hearing, comes physical pain in the ears with the loud, sudden noises. We have tried all the desensitizing methods we know of, including setting up a puppy-den/safe place, turning on loud music/tv/fan, using interior rooms to kennel him- all to no avail. We have tried vet prescribed meds in varying doses to no avail. The last couple of years we have kenneled him with the vet, but we'd prefer to have him with us, especially since our neighborhood sounds like a war zone from June 28th through July 5th-our neighborhood law enforcement does not respond to the multiple phone calls regarding illegal areal displays.

rkresge · 03-13-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby808

My wife and I have a noise phobic border collie. We have to set him up in kennel here in Huntington Beach, CA every 4th of July due to the illegal fireworks that are going off in ALL of Orange County the last few years.

Bobby, I feel your pain, but frankly I'm not sure there's any place in the US. Many RV parks say fireworks are forbidden, but how strictly do they enforce this? After all, it's pretty much THE national holiday.

It's a hike, but I guess you could always try Canada for that week, if it's an option.

Roger

rskeans · 03-13-2016, 01:49 PM

I would think that the smaller desert parks would work. But it could be hotter than hatties. Check out the park at Oasis, CA by the Salton Sea just off hwy 89 (or is it 86?). I can't imagine any fireworks going off there. They are about 20 miles south of Indio. They might be listed under Thermal, CA. They are in a Citrus grove, oranges and grapfruit.

twogypsies · 03-13-2016, 09:18 PM

Stay at a forest service campground or RV park around June Lake on CA Hwy 395. Beautiful area, cool and fireworks restricted or not allowed.

MartySQ · 03-13-2016, 09:32 PM

2 other things you might try to help although with the severity of your collie's stress, it'll taker the thunder coat +... Bach's Rescue Remedy... been giving it to my border collie, helps some, she still comes running during thunder and gunshots, but is not frantic, she even withstood vacuuming and gunshots going at the same time today (no safe haven). The other thing which I am going to try as an add on is called D.A. P. stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone... the smell gives them the comfort they had when they were babies nursing their mama. I have a diffuser and used it once when I had a foster that didn't get along with other dogs, seemed to help the situation, although she took my collie down twice before I started using it. You can get the Bach's rescue remedy at Whole foods, there is a version for pets, and the DAP I bought online. Better than the tranquilizers they use from the vet if they work for your pooch. No hangover. Pooch still won't have a fun time, but won't tear up your Camper so bad...trying to get 'safe'. Good to have on hand, because it only takes 1 jerk breaking the rules to ruin it for your dog.

Tom N · 03-14-2016, 12:38 AM

Baja California

micd · 03-14-2016, 08:45 AM

We always go to the National Parks on July 4th. They do not allow fireworks. Surprisingly they are very easy to get into because so many people want to be somewhere with fireworks. Our dogs don't like them either.

For example you could go to the Grand Canyon.

or some place in CA:
http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/news/r...onal-parks.htm

beaverfever · 03-15-2016, 11:59 AM

our dog is also terrified of fireworks. last year on the 4th we stayed just outside of great basin national park baker, nevada.there was not a firecracker all week