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London Dog Forum > Dog Health & Welfare > Well Dog Healthcare > Tips To Help Dogs During The Firework Season
Tips To Help Dogs During The Firework Season
Let’s face it, bonfire night is fun and many children and adults love the spectacle of a good display. However it is easy to be a damp squib at this time of year if you are the owner of a dog that is terrified throughout the firework period.
By taking a few simple precaution, you can help to alleviate your dog’s anxiety and consequently, your own stress at seeing your dog suffer.
1. Have your dog microchipped, if he does runoff, he can be easily traced.
2. Take your dog for a good long walk before dusk so that he is nice and tired.
3. If your dog is very nervous, keep him on a long leash as random fireworks can go off ‘out of hours’. Many road traffic accidents occur at this time of year through dogs fleeing in fright.
4. Never leave your dog outside after dusk.
5. Make sure your dog is well fed as this will help to make him sleepy and relaxed.
6. Draw all the curtains and blinds before dusk to avoid your dog developing a fear of flashing lights.
7. Turn on the radio or television or put on some music. This will help distract your dog’s attention from the fireworks.
8. Put out plenty of toys and always have water and food available.
9. Make sure all exits to the outside are blocked, eg: cat and dog flaps.
10. Never punish your dog for fearful behaviour.
11. Fight all natural instinct to want to comfort your dog with strokes or cuddles if he shows fear. This rewards the behaviour and will cause further anxiety in the future.
12. Try to act normally as possible around the house during fireworks. Dogs are much better than us at picking up emotions and will sense your stress. If you remain relaxe, they will find it easier to settle.
13. Only reward behaviour that is non fearful – then you can make as much fuss of him as you want!
14. There are many non-drug based products on the market that reduce stress such as DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) DAP comes in the form of a spray, an impregnated collar, or a room diffuser and it
produces a pheromone that will help to relax your pet. It can also be effective on other stress related problems such as car sickness.
15. Another product that is safe and not a pharmaceutical drug is Zylkene. It is a food supplement containing a protein that binds temporarily with certain brain receptors and inhibits fear.
16. Many owners swear to the success of using Bach Flower remedies. You can refer to your local health shop for these potions.
17. Tranquillisers can be obtained from your vet as a last resort but it is always better to try and overcome the problem without use of drugs.
18. TTouch practitioners recommend a wrapping or bandaging technique that is highly effective click Getting In Touch With The TTouch for more details.
19. A longer term solution to firework phobia or fear of loud noises is a desensitisation programme. Simply put, a recording of fireworks is played at a very low volume until the dog becomes oblivious to the sound. The volume is gradually increased over several days until the dog shows no fear of fireworks at all. CD’s of fireworks, thunder, drills etc. Can be obtained from behaviourists, some vets, pet shops or online.
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