[David Taggart]

My Lucy is two and she went under a stress a year ago. Misfortune brought us too close to the fireworks during New Year and, I suppose, in her imagination she was terrified of it ever since even when it is silent. She refuses to step outside with the coming dark (but only dark time of the day), scared of any loud sound, she stops and watches the sky for bright objects every five minutes, she's shivering, may piss herself if at home. We tried training sound recordings, anti-stress vitamins and calming drugs, aromatherapy, massage and less popular treatment as performing commands under stress. She is obedient, but I'm ready to shed tears seeing my dog like this. My dog's vet has suggested to mate her, he says that in such circumstance her fright may turn into agression when she has pups and she might become calmer after, simply knowing what to protect - her home, her place to give birth. Should we listen to his advise? It will be difficult, because we do not have facilities to raise puppies.