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  1. #1
    Puppy moosebytes's Avatar
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    Dilemma over a new puppy and the Fourth of July and an idiot

    It looks like we'll be picking up our new Y/M on the 20th of June (we'll be picking him out with the help of the breeder on the 31st of this month). The pup will be ready to go home about the 7th or 8th of June, but work commitments make that impossible so we're looking at getting him on June 20th...he'll be 10 weeks old. Here's the problem: The pup will be about 12 weeks old on the Fourth of July-still heavily into house training (going out every 2-3 hours or so...pretty much 24/7). There's someone who lives up the hill from us who-every 4th of July weekend, goes bonkers with fireworks. I'm not talking firecrackers and sparklers. I'm talking about big time pyrotechnics. Aerial bombs,sky rockets, you name it, he uses them. Pretty much goes on for the entire weekend. It's like a war zone at times! So...how's that going to work out for our new little guy? Our Tucker used to hide in the closet for days, shaking like crazy. Other neighbors pets in pretty much the same escape mode. We're seriously considering NOT bringing him home until after the 4th. The other alternative is to ask the breeder to kennel him (2 or 3 days) with his mom and the one other sibling from the litter that they will be keeping. We really don't want to have to wait until the 5th or 6th to bring him home, and we're not sure if kenneling him with the breeder will be really confusing for him, and maybe erode whatever bond he had developed with us. Can't think of any other options. Everyone we know has cats, dogs, chickens, etc. so, without all of his shots, that's out of the question. Lastly, talking with this guy is out of the question. He's had issues before...has had jail time at least twice since we've been here (11 years). Locally, his place is referred to as "The Drug House". Don't know if it really is, but that's what folks around here call it. LOL!

  2. #2
    Real Retriever fidgetyknees's Avatar
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    I have had a puppy around that age on 4th July. 1st May birthday and we have a big city display nearby. Didn't have a problem at all. Just lay low and kept the dogs inside with all the windows shut. I now live in a new neighborhood but very close to this neighborhoods big forework display - not to worried about it, will just stay inside again (if we don't go camping). Again we have a puppy but this one will be about 21 weeks by the 4th July, and I am not going to worry about it much, if he looks scared I will put him in his crate and cover it.

  3. #3
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Keep the dog inside and don't make a big deal about it. I find that the more anxious we are the more anxious the dogs are. If you don't give a crap, they don't give a crap. Labs are supposed to be calm around "gunshots" consider this training and don't stress it.

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  5. #4
    Real Retriever Archie's Avatar
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    My trainer says to give them something good when the fireworks/thunder/ any other potentially scary sound starts. Then they learn to associate it with good things. Don't say anything or make a big fuss, just hand them the treat. I kept a few stuffed kongs in the freezer and any time Anything started up I'd give them that to chew on.

    our neighbours did big fireworks this past weekend and we took Archie (2years) and Quinn (5 months) out to watch. They were fine. Good luck!
    Laura, Archie & Quinn
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  7. #5
    Senior Dog WhoopsaDaisy's Avatar
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    Congrats a in getting your puppy!! I hope to see lots of pictures soon
    I agree with everyone above. Keep him indoors and try not to be anxious. I would have some kongs prepared full of goodies (frozen peanut butter, yogurt, etc) so even in the crate he can have a treat the whole time and treats on hand that I would give him he is startled. Lots of treats! Make it a time full of fun and treats and it will at least keep it from being a negative experience.
    Katie and Aric (7/1/17) Hidden Content
    Whoops-a-Daisy B. 1-26-13 Gotcha 8-25-13
    Jett B 8-17-17, Gotcha 10-7-17




    “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
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  8. #6
    House Broken
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    We have a lot of neighbors that go all out. We just sit in the house and watch tv with the dogs. We act like we don't hear a thing, and they settle right down.

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  10. #7
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I agree with everyone else with the caveat that it sounds like you are going to be anxious and therefore, I do not think you should have the puppy at home during this time because you may set the pup up for failure and a lifetime of anxiety around fireworks or associated sounds. The worst thing you can do is worry, coddle your dog, and get anxious about your dog being anxious, but I understand that some people will just do that.

    Taking him to board with the breeder will not erode your relationship. He'll be fine and your relationship will be fine.

    And, you can take him to a friend's house if that works for you, as long as their pets are vaccinated and healthy and pets they have had over have been vaccinated and healthy.

  11. #8
    Puppy moosebytes's Avatar
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    I absolutely agree with the "stay calm and happy and they'll be calm and happy" philosophy, but I'm really afraid it would be hard to achieve if all of this noise and light shows were going
    off when it's time for him to go out and do his thing. In the end though, I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill, and the pup will come out of something like this all for the better.
    In any event, these two guys are the ones we'll be picking from (these pics are at 5 weeks):

  12. #9
    Puppy moosebytes's Avatar
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    -photo-3-jpg-photo-4-jpg

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  14. #10
    Best Friend Retriever OHfemail's Avatar
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    Gabby was just over 9 months old when she got to experience fireworks in the neighborhood. As anyone with a lab knows, that age can be tough - they're 'teenagers' and full of all kinds of quirkiness. When the fireworks started, right over 'her' back yard, she became agitated and anxious. We finally loaded up with some favorite outdoor toys and took her into the yard to play. We had our own little party, acted crazy and played hard with her. She never gave those booming lights another look, and she's been fine with them ever since. Have to agree that distraction, fun play and not making a big deal out of it should work well.

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