Fireworks - what do you use?

As Riley has only been with us a few months and training has only just clicked for us (and by us I mean me) haven't had a chance to train out any fear of fireworks.

And they have started in our area already.

He's so scared bless him, I'm trying to ignore him and make no big deal of them - but when he literally jumps on my knee shaking, trying to put his nose in my armpit it becomes difficult.

Starting to worry about November already and wondered if anyone had any recommendations?

I'm not keen on anxiolytics like ACP (don't even know if this is used anymore) and it'll probably last for a few nights so knocking him out on the 5th isn't really viable.

Pereg is not bothered by sudden loud noises, which is a good thing considering where I live, but I do have calming pills for her for when she is hyper for any reason [she is epileptic and at times I need to calm her down.]

The most effective I have found is THIS which settles her within minutes.

We have fireworks most winter weekends - although last year was very quiet so I`m hoping for the same this year.
So I close the curtains and turn the TV up.

When I had Anni I used to turn the TV up loud, Close the curtains & leave her last toilet break till 1am. Thank goodness Hannah loves fireworks so no problem now.

Has anyone tried Zylkene for fear of fireworks? I am dreading this year as last 5th Nov was horrendous -there was no respite from the moment it got dark until about midnight. Gelert was barking at every bang and his heart was racing.
I was wondering about Skullcap and Valerian too but I'm a bit sceptical about its effectiveness.

I'm not sure what to do this year... I find it is easier when we are home, Jake just hides under my bed and I put the tv up loud or play music for him if I am out. It is out on walks that are the problem because they go off at all times of the day... I had a hairy moment last year when a whole load of them suddenly went off about 5pm and Jake was scrabbling up at me. I managed to get him on lead, on run home with him... where he promptly hid under the bed. Once he is under there, he is relatively ok.

I have been playing a firework/thunder storm/gunshot etc CD at very high volumes for the past few weeks. My Springer wasn't keen, but is fine now. We will see what the puppy makes of fireworks in the next few weeks.

None of my dogs have ever been fazed by fireworks thank goodness.

You may find the following useful:

http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Fireworks


http://www.dogsandfireworks.com/

http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/dogs-and-fireworks/

http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicySt...5/Default.aspx

Thanks for the links - I found the second really useful!!

We've done well in the house tonight, curtains closed, TV on loud, and ignoring anxiety during the first lot. We then started playing our new game of pass the ball with the nose (Riley's nose I use my hands) and he completely ignored the second lot.

Still worried about outside as he has a flight tendency when he hears them. Obviously will keep him on lead but dread to think what it will be like around here next few weeks and evening walks as it gets darker and more firework-ey

Kestral, who is very nervous of loud noises, is fine when someone is on the house playing horribly loud games of xbox so she can't discriminate between gunpowder in or out of the house