Pet Behaviour Counselling

Does your dog have a fear of fireworks?

Do you resort to the use of sedatives to get your
dog through the firework period?

It can take months to desensitise your dog to fireworks, and therefore training should take place well before the firework season occurs. Desensitisation should take place following the guidance of an Animal Behaviourist. With the use of a specially designed CD and a training program, your dog can be desensitised to the sounds of fireworks. Please ask Hayley at Hollyoak Veterinary Surgery for more advice as this training program must be devised to suit individual dogs.

In the meantime, how can you help your dog through this terrifying season?

It is important that you do not reinforce your dogs frightened behaviour at any time as this will only make things worse. Instead, follow the tips and guidelines below to ensure that you are not contributing to your dogs fear:

• Keep your dog inside when fireworks are being let off

• Provide a safe bolt-hole or den for your dog. Allowing your dog to run and hide is the best thing you can do as this is a natural response to fear

• Ensure curtains are kept closed so that your dog cannot see the flashes and turn your T.V up to try and cover the sound

• Never attempt to reassure your dog. This will seem like praise to your dog and reinforces the panic felt

• Carry on as normal in the house and ignore your dog as much as possible while it is showing signs of fear. By doing this, you will start teaching your dog that there is nothing to be afraid of.

• Feed a carbohydrate-rich meal (such as pasta) before the fireworks start to settle your dog for the evening

• Use a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) plug-in (available from Hollyoak Vets). These act by calming your dog. They should be plugged in two weeks before the firework period starts and left switched on at all times

Although these tips can help in the short-term, they may not be sufficient in the long-term. A full desensitisation program should be implemented to fully help your dog.

For more information, or for a private consultation, call Hayley at Hollyoak Vets 01223 232111.

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