Thanks for the suggestions!
I used a Thundershirt on my previous dog, Cleo, but it did not work for her. I wound up having to dope her for thunderstorms and fireworks until she went deaf.
Caleb remained hiding behind my recliner until about 12:30am, when my second DVD ended, and I wasn't hearing much in the way of fireworks. And I was beyond tired. He went into his night crate with the usual resistance (I push in his rear) and settled immediately. I'd also put two drops of chamomile on his blanket, one drop at each end.
No noise until Debbie
approached the crate
about 4am, and Caleb barked.
He seemed okay this morning, a little mouthy but corrected well. I took out his long leash and soccer ball and we had Come as well as Fetch/Bring It training. Caleb was reminded that grabbing the ball from my hands was not acceptable, and that Drop is not a suggestion, nor should my forcing the Drop be met with growly sounds.
He seemed to really enjoy the exercise, and since it's been 10 days since his surgery, figured some more strenuous activity would be okay.
Caleb's had the run of the house the remainder of this morning. At one point he trotted by with a non-dog stuffed toy hedgehog in his mouth. I took it away, wondering where I'd left it within his reach. He then trotted by with a plush Chickadee, the type that chirps, and I realized he was raiding the little menagerie on top of my dresser. Bedroom door was closed, and I will relocate the remaining stuffed animals to a more secure place.
Currently Caleb's in TO. Our older friend (76) who stays with us tried to play with Caleb, making growly noises at him, and I saw Caleb rolling his eyes, so I interrupted the play immediately. And then Caleb started zooming around, so I knew it was too soon for growly play, that he was stressed. I put Caleb in his crate to calm down.
Looks like I need to train more than a dog.
fireworks!
