May 17, 2011
My police dog goes nuts when he hears fireworks. What can I do?
Full Question:
I have a question that you might be able to help me with. My name is Sgt. Brian Rudick and I am the K9 Unit Supervisor for the Hartsville Police Department, (SC). We have two crossed trained (partol/narcotics) GSD. One of our dogs goes nuts when he hears fireworks. Our dogs have received training around gunfire and the dog in question responds just as you would expect. At certain times of year when the general public likes to use fireworks (Christmas, New Years, and the 4th of July) he becomes very agitated. Every time he hears them he manages to escape his pen. We thought that it might be that he wanted to find his handler and make sure he was safe. But this past 4th of July the handler was off duty, standing beside the pen and the dog got out anyway. He has even injured himself several times doing so. We have done almost everything I can think of to the pen to make it escape proof, but that is treating the symptom and not the disease. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. 
Ed's Answer:
I know what you are talking about. I have a dog like this.
The way I deal with it is to take the dog in the house and crate him during these times. That's the easiest solution - put him in a position where he can not hear them.
If you want to de-sensitize the dog this is sometimes possible, but it will take a long long time. I would use the dogs prey drive, a prong collar or possibly an electric collar.
Show the dog a prey item (i.e. tug toy or ball) and even play a quick game of tug with him then put it at the end of the training field. Go to the other end and make the dog down for a minute before giving a release command and he can go an get the toy and play tug. Gradually work this up to a 5 minute Down before the gets his tug - sometimes 5 minutes - sometimes 15 seconds - he never knows how long. If he breaks the down he gets strong corrections (have him drag a long line when down. Throughout this process there is no fireworks.
When you feel the dog is sound in the down and understands that he will get his tug when he is released then its time to add fireworks (be standing on the rope at the time. Start with small fireworks at the other end of the field (away from the tug) Initially the handler is next to the dog and giving a down command as the sound goes off - a lot of praise - if the dog stays he is released and gets his tug.
Gradually move the handler away from the dog (to the end of the 30' drag line - (standing on it) - increase the down time before the fireworks go off and increase the size of the bang. But always vary the time of the down - short once then 3 long downs - then 3 short and one long down etc.
Finally take the long line off and replace with an electric collar. This is a lot of work for a dog that is exposed to this 3 or 4 times a year. It's easier to put the dog away. The mistake that people make is try and solve this problem with force alone - this kills the temperament of the dog - and the drive. So the tug is an important addition.
The way I deal with it is to take the dog in the house and crate him during these times. That's the easiest solution - put him in a position where he can not hear them.
If you want to de-sensitize the dog this is sometimes possible, but it will take a long long time. I would use the dogs prey drive, a prong collar or possibly an electric collar.
Show the dog a prey item (i.e. tug toy or ball) and even play a quick game of tug with him then put it at the end of the training field. Go to the other end and make the dog down for a minute before giving a release command and he can go an get the toy and play tug. Gradually work this up to a 5 minute Down before the gets his tug - sometimes 5 minutes - sometimes 15 seconds - he never knows how long. If he breaks the down he gets strong corrections (have him drag a long line when down. Throughout this process there is no fireworks.
When you feel the dog is sound in the down and understands that he will get his tug when he is released then its time to add fireworks (be standing on the rope at the time. Start with small fireworks at the other end of the field (away from the tug) Initially the handler is next to the dog and giving a down command as the sound goes off - a lot of praise - if the dog stays he is released and gets his tug.
Gradually move the handler away from the dog (to the end of the 30' drag line - (standing on it) - increase the down time before the fireworks go off and increase the size of the bang. But always vary the time of the down - short once then 3 long downs - then 3 short and one long down etc.
Finally take the long line off and replace with an electric collar. This is a lot of work for a dog that is exposed to this 3 or 4 times a year. It's easier to put the dog away. The mistake that people make is try and solve this problem with force alone - this kills the temperament of the dog - and the drive. So the tug is an important addition.
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