Fireworks
15 December 2023
The period of fireworks can be distressing for pets, causing stress and overwhelming feelings. Here are some management tips to help, although they are not a cure, they can prevent the exacerbation of behaviour.
Home Preparation:
- Ensure your dog's safety by using baby gates or keeping doors closed to prevent them from escaping.
- If expecting trick-or-treaters, use a long lead for your dog or keep the door shut to avoid frustration or feeling trapped.
- Check your garden's fence panels for damage, especially after a storm, to prevent your dog from getting out.
- Equip your dog with a collar displaying your name and contact number. Ensure chip details are up-to-date.
Bonfire Nights:
- Dogs may not be suitable companions for events like bonfire nights due to potential hazards.
- If going out, consider hiring a pet sitter for your dog's safety.
Day/Near the Event:
- Take your dog for a walk earlier in the day to minimise exposure to spooky sights and sounds.
- Recognise that each dog has a unique temperament; what one can handle, another may not.
- For very anxious dogs, consult your vet
- Create hiding spots behind the sofa, under blankets, or in a crate (without closing it) for a sense of security.
- Introduce music early to muffle sounds, as sudden music can become a predictive cue.
Please note that studies suggest a link between pain and sound sensitivity, so ruling this out with your vet is important. If your pet exhibits intense fear, seeks further guidance from your vet if they are highly sound-sensitive.
Helping dogs who are nervous of sounds It can be really tricky and feel hard when your dog is feeling nervous of sounds that you do not have control over. They may freeze, startle, growl, try to flee, shake, drool or more. Here are some considerations if your dog is nervous of sounds. As well as the noise, there is the physical vibration too.
Have you ever wondered that even if scared why a dog will run towards something? If a dog is barking and lunging at something that they are scared of then surely they would avoid it... right? This isn't always the case!
Why Emotional Wellbeing Matters at the Vet When it comes to veterinary care, the focus is often on physical health—but a pet’s emotional experiences important If stress and fear are overlooked, it can shape how an animal feels about vet visits in the future. Negative experiences may lead to increased anxiety, defensive behaviour, or even the need for sedation during routine examinations. By considering how our pets feel, we can help create calmer, safer, and more positive veterinary visits. Chat to your vets about how they can support your dog.
Dog play what’s okay? You may have heard that you can be over zealous and you should leave dogs to work it out themselves but this is poor advice. Sometimes play can turn into something else so it’s important to be mindful of play signals. When a dog goes rushing over to another head on it can feel threatening – even if the intention is play. It can be hard to assess intention as the dog is likely to be moving very fast.
I know of many family members who have small children and dog and they live in harmony.
Some dogs do it for hormonal reasons others due to behavioural. Reasons behind humping can include hormones, anxiety, tension attention seeking, frustration, eliciting play or displacement behaviour when stressed. Filling out the diary can help pinpoint more triggers and look at what is happening.
Children and Dogs: A Guide to Safe and Happy Relationships Having a dog in your family is exciting and fun, but it’s important to teach children how to interact safely and kindly with their furry friend. Puppies and young dogs are still learning, and we need to help them grow into happy, well-behaved companions.
You may have heard that you have made a 'rod for your own back' with your dog, or 'spoiling' them has caused separation anxiety. I am here to tell you, that this is not the case. Dogs from breeders and rescued dogs can experience it. Separation distress can be caused for lots of different reasons. These can include:
Understanding Pica in Dogs: Why They Eat Non-Food Items
Sound sensitivities can be distressing for us to watch.
