Hi Karen,
With things having changed in your dog’s routine of late it can certainly have an impact on their behaviour. If your dog now feels responsible for your father’s protection then he may be finding the added responsibility a little stressful and fireworks just tip him over the edge a little. Start off by following my advice in the Blog but you may also like to take a look at my website TheOnlineDogTrainer.com as it will provide advice about how to help take the pressure off your dog, given recent changes…its a $1USD trial for 3 days…all the best Doggy Dan

This has never been an issue. We do now have my 94 yr old father with us in hospice care and the dog attached himself to Dad. He lays in his room and has to “check out” anyone who comes in for Dad. Not sure if it’s related. We have an 18 month puppy who will hide, but that’s it. Thanks

All good Regina 🙂
Becoming the pack leader can have the biggest effect on them being able to relax and not be “on guard” all the time.
Enjoy the site and love to Joey and Jasper 🙂 Dan

Great stuff, yes often distraction can help. The more that you become the pack leader then the more you will find that your dogs behave the way you are being… ie if you are calm the more they will follow suit and be calm. All the best, Dan

Hi Helen, I would say that the crack of thunder was the “Trigger” however the true “cause” and “solution” is more a case of STEP 1. ensuring that he understands 100% that you are the pack leader and then STEP 2. showing him how to behave…(relax and ignore the thunder etc) similar to the video on Fireworks etc. The bit that is usually missing is understanding why your dog may actually still think that he is in fact the pack leader (even though he may be very well behaved) To ensure that you are treating the most common cause of the problem and are doing everything you need to do to convince your boy that you are the pack leader take a look at my site http://theonlinedogtrainer.com/ – Enjoy 🙂 Doggy Dan

Hi Lenore,
play it safe around them as a female in heat and a male hanging around can get fairly moody. To calm them down and make them more tolerant of you and your actions you need to become the pack leader. Check out http://theonlinedogtrainer.com/ and you will find the answer to your questions. I am afraid it is not an answer that I can do justice to here 🙂 You will also see how the way you interact with your dogs will often determine whether they growl or not. Becoming the pack leader first though it the key and the foundation before moving ahead. All the best, Doggy Dan

Hi Lenore, what I would suggest is that you play it very carefully and do not try anything rash as females in heat and male dogs hanging around them can create volatile situations. The suggestion overall as to how to help / approach them would be to make sure that you are being the calm and gentle pack leader at all times. This includes how to interact with them etc…putting this in place will calm them both down and also make them more tolerant. (Which treats the cause of the problem) Check out http://theonlinedogtrainer.com/ to take a look. Best, Dan

You are welcome Bee Sim, glad that you liked the tip and Yes…I wish everyone knew about this stuff when they needed it too 🙂 Doggy Dan

Hi Jamie, there is a lot to think about such as is this digging at the walls because he is scared about fireworks or is he doing it when he is left alone, or for another reason. Whatever the situation I would suggest that Logan needs some real help right now. This does not sound like a one sentence fix but a complete dog training solution, so my honest answer is to take a look at my video website http://theonlinedogtrainer.com where you will find a complete solution to helping your dog out. As you will see you can trial the site before you stay on, you may find the answer you are looking for during that time although there is lots of helpful stuff to look through if you are really serious about understanding your dog. All the best and let me know how it goes, Doggy Dan

Thanks for the tip Dan

My 2 dogs were so relaxed through their first Guy Fawkes night thanks to your tips. They didn't bat an eyelid every other night there has been fireworks since. It works a treat! Thank you for posting the tips 🙂

Hopefully some of the above will help you. All the best Emilio

Yes Keep It Simple. You got it….Thanks for the feedback Cate

Thanks Margot, appreciate your support 🙂

Thanks Walter. The Calm freeze works well for thunder. Glad you enjoyed the videos 🙂

You are welcome Heather…Love to your two girls 🙂

I must agree that there is nothing like a well organised fireworks display, well away from any houses…!