Dogs and Fireworks
With Fiesta season about to start again here on the Islands, I often get calls from dog owners who are worried about their dogs and fireworks. Most dogs will panic when they hear those unpredictable loud bangs and flashes from fireworks which often results in the dog trying to escape or hide, shaking, whining, barking, panting, restlessness, destruction in the home or having an accident. Some dogs with severe reactions have been known to flee through an open door or window to try and escape.
So let’s look at a few ways to help you and your dog cope with loud noise phobias.
Being prepared and having everything in place will help your dog to become less stressed however it is advisable not to pet your dog or try and comfort him during this time as this will only make things worse. One of the best ways to de-sensitise your dog is to get a Fireworks CD or DVD which should be played frequently to allow your dog to get used to the noise of the fireworks and is a very successful way to help retrain dogs that become stressed by them. Prepare him a bed, or den, somewhere quiet and out of the way and put plenty of comfy blankets in there so he can dig into them if he needs too. Put an item of your clothing in there too so your dog will feel even more comforted.
Feed your dog earlier in the evening or even late afternoon and take him out for a long walk before it goes dark to minimise the risk of accidents in your home. Have some distractions on hand such as the TV on, music, toys to chew on or play with to try and take your dogs mind off the noise. One of my previous clients created a den area in a spare bedroom, put a music CD on and used a Kong stuffed full of yummy treats to keep her dog distracted which worked very well. Other things to try are DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) which is a plug in device very similar to an air freshener which periodically releases a calming pheromone into the air and can help to calm and relax your dog. Also consider your behaviour, if you nervous or stressed this will only make your dog worse so try to stay calm even if you are afraid of fireworks too!
If your dog gets stressed during fireworks or you need some advice on ways to help your dog overcome loud noises call me now on 699 109 837! Firework DVDs are also available.
Posted on April 9th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training and Obedience, Tenerife
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