Be Prepared as the Fireworks Season Gets Longer Tips for keeping pets safe in the salon and at home:
Create a ‘safe haven’
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s the fireworks season seems to start earlier and may often continue until after the new year, now is the time to start thinking about how to help noise phobic and anxious dogs get through. Fireworks may look very pretty, but many dogs find the flashing lights and loud noises very frightening. There are tips that you can use on the night itself to help keep your dog calm. If you are aware of your dog or a dog in your care having negative reactions towards fireworks, ensure you speak to your vet for further advice. Young dogs that have yet to experience fireworks may really benefit from some preparation to help them to gradually become desensitised to loud noises and associate the noises with something positive rather than something scary. Ali Taylor, Head of Canine Behaviour and Training at Battersea advises:
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“Making changes to your dog’s routine in advance may help your dog be more prepared for when fireworks are being let off. Small changes could mean that your dog doesn’t associate loud noises or flashing lights with the fireworks directly, and to help them stay calmer on the night.” “Of course, there are things that you can do on the evening of fireworks night to help a nervous dog. Timing your dog’s walks for when fireworks aren’t being let off, ensuring your curtains are drawn, leaving lights on in the evenings and playing music or tv will all help to buffer the noise and sight of fireworks.” “If you have a young dog who hasn’t experienced fireworks previously get them used to the sounds gradually by playing audio recordings of fireworks at a very low volume whilst engaging in fun activities with your dog such as a bit of training, or toy play. You can gradually increase the volume over
time so that they become accustomed to it, if they show any signs of anxiety stop immediately and either go back a few steps of speak to your vet or a behaviourist.” “If you already know that your dog is scared of fireworks it’s best to try and desensitise them to the noises and sounds as far in advance as possible as this can take months of regular training. It’s also best to ensure you are prepared by speaking to your vet or a behaviourist and ensuring that you have the right support in advance of the night.” “Dogs may choose to hide if they are worried by the fireworks, so set up a cosy den area and start to encourage your dog to choose to settle in there use it by hiding some tasty treats.”
Ali’s top tips • Try and introduce changes as far in advance as possible to make the dog more prepared.
