Fireworks Fright not Night!!!

How can i help my Fur Baby stress less???

Fireworks night, Christmas and any celebration that make us humans want to blow things up in celebration as a mark of another year passing can create havoc for our poor unsuspecting four legged friends. They don't have 'reason' like us and generally rely on their instincts when it comes to living happily. Yes they look to us to see our reactions to certain things but that can only take them so far. They don't speak our language and don't understand everything that we do. If only we could explain everything to them and tell the that everything was going to be OK. When it comes to big bangs and bright flashes, no amount of 'looking to mum and dad' can make it all better. There is no time to waste to the scared dog. Their instinct is to usual flee and hide. I have a Bichon Frise called molly, she is very frightened of fireworks and any kind of loud bang and immediately flees. She likes to find somewhere that she feels safe and that is OK. I allow her to do this, I make it safe for her and I don't make a big deal about it. I don't try and comfort her. I let her see me continuing as i would usually. I have 3 other dogs that are not frightened in the slightest so I think its also important that she sees them behaving in the exact same way that they usually do!

What are the signs that my dog is frightened by the fireworks?

Here are 8 signs that indicate that your dog is stressed by fireworks

* Trembling & Shaking

* Messy accidents in the house

* Clinging to owners

* Hiding or making a Den

* Running away

* Excessive Barking

* No Appetite

* Excessive Panting and Pacing

So how do i make it safe and as stress free as possible?

So, here are some things that I think are incredibly important to adhere to if you have a frightened dog so as to give him or her the most stress free time possible. You never know, it may help!!

* Get an adaptil plug diffuser DAP for dogs - available at good pet shops and most vets

* Build a Den. You can use a crate covered in blankets if your dog is crate trained or you can build a comfy covered small space by using a large box with cushions and blankets covering it. 

* Thunder shirts are a great product and can be purchased on line or at a good pet store.

* Pop some music on to try to drown out the bangs

* Close the curtains to avoid the flashes coming in to the room. 

* Candles or oil burners are hugely effective and lavender and Ylang Ylang are both great calming oils for dogs. (obviously keep in a safe place away from the dog). 

* Feed a high carb dinner. 

* Lock dog flaps so as your pets can't flee outside. 

* Behave as usual, don't try and comfort or make it seem like they need protecting as this will feed anxiety. (its very hard to do as we just want them to be happy, I'm as bad as the next person)

* Don't open doors to outside if your dog is not secure and safe, especially if the fireworks are very close by

* Provide distractions - maybe a new toy to play with

* Don't leave your pet alone

* Don't punish them, this just creates more anxiety

There is nothing wrong with celebrations but please try to remember the sensitivity of our four legged friends and do our bit to make it reasonably acceptable for them. 

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