Bonfire night is only a week away but the likelihood is that there will be plenty of celebrations going on during the lead-up to the big night itself.
Although pretty, colourful and exciting for us, it’s a time of year dog owners dread. Fireworks are very scary for dogs and playful pups become petrified pooches at the sound of a firework bang. Although bonfire night is just one night of the year, it’s actually much more than that for pet owners. From Halloween to new year celebrations, the night sky is filled with bangs, crackles and sparkles. Follow these top tips to keep your pets happy during the firework festivities.
Dates
Keep a diary of events around you. Things like bonfires, markets, Christmas lights switch-ons and Christmas extravaganzas are all likely to involve fireworks. It’s also worth knocking on neighbours’ doors and asking if they have anything planned. Explain the situation to them and they should be more than happy to let you know any dates. That way, you can make sure you’re at home to comfort your pooch. Or, if you’ve already made arrangements, you could always take him with you.
Getting him used to sounds
It might sound cruel to play sounds that you know your dog doesn’t like. But actually, having the sound of thunder or fireworks playing on a CD while doing something he enjoys will help to desensitise him. This is by no means a quick process and it certainly won’t reduce his fear in time for this year’s celebrations. But slowly your dog will begin to associate positive things with these sounds. As he starts to get used to them, you can turn the volume up slightly and eventually he’ll be happy to play while real fireworks are going off in the background.
Although doing this will desensitise your pooch, it’s still not a good idea to leave him alone at this time of year.
Doggy den
Create a safe haven for your dog, somewhere in the home where he enjoys going. Whether that’s in his bed, curling up under the table or in his crate. Use pillows and blankets to create a soft den for him to burrow into. Place some of his favourite toys and tasty treats in there too. Kong toys are particularly effective at this time of year as it’ll help keep your pup’s mind off the noise outside. If you’re interested in purchasing a Kong toy for your pet then most vets, pet shops and even Pets at Home will stock them.
Exercise early
On days when you know fireworks are likely, it’s a good idea to exercise your dog early. Not only does this mean they won’t be out and about when the fireworks are going off, it also means they’ll be tired when they get home – so they’re more likely to nap through the noise.
Rescue remedies
Of course, all of these tips are all well and good but sometimes your dog just needs a little helping hand. There are so many products out there that are great for reducing anxiety in dogs. Adaptil, for example, have a plug-in diffuser and collar. These both release pheromones which reassure and comfort dogs. Johnson’s calm-eze tablets are a natural supplement intended to calm nervous pets. Pet Remedy Plug-in Diffuser is another natural de-stresser. With slow release technology it’ll last up to 6 weeks – perfect for this time of year.
Let us know what you do to keep your pets calm during firework season. Over the next few weeks we’ll be getting into the Christmas Spirit. Also keep an eye out for our comprehensive gift guide.
