Dog scared of fireworks

FIREWORKS

I personally wish that

ireworks

were restricted to well

publicised communal events with fireworks not available for the general public to

purchase

, with

private fireworks made illegal. I know

am a

killjoy, but it can be truly terrible for animals.

How

you

behave

when your dog

first

encounters fireworks, or thunder, or bird scarers is crucial.

However, if it's too late all is not lost. It is important that your dogs look to you for your own reaction, and to the extent that they trust

you to

look after them (and

aving a trusting relationship with your dog is necessary where you are seen to be strong and brave, not

weak and nervous

) they will follow your

xample

Tips:

Prepare in advance by working on a trusting relationship

where the dog

learns

respect

, so

that he/she

will know YOU are in charge of

protection and

decision

making. This is where I

can

help you

Ask your neighbours to let you know if they are going to have fireworks - AND KEEP YOUR DOGS INDOORS.
Don't walk your dog or let your dog out after dark on nights when there are likely to be fireworks. Many dogs first experience of
fireworks is when they are out alone in the garden and suddenly there is a very loud bang overhead. The dog panics and may
no be able to get back in. You may even be out. Some dogs are so scared that they refuse to go out again, start toileting
indoors and may even refuse to go for walks.
Keep calm and don't comfort your dog!
Try not to go out and leave your dog alone on nights where there may be fireworks. If you must go out, get someone to sit in
(and it's important they ignore the dog if there are bangs about).

People who are afraid of thunder and sudden loud noises invariably pass this on to their dogs, and in particular by

comforting,

cuddling and

'reassuring' their dog.

They anticipate their dog may be scared and react accordingly - actually

causing fear.

If your dog is already scared of fireworks or storms, it is important that

you

act matter of fact, as though it is no big deal. Panic in the

dog is

pitiful to see, but it's very important that you don't fuel it. Draw the curtains, turn the TV up, and go about your normal daily

activities. Allow

your dog to find his or her own bolt-hole, even if it means going under the bed in the bedroom where he's not

normally

allowed, and LEAVE

HIM ALONE.

If you reassure your dog it does three things:

Comfort and fuss passes on your own feelings of concern and worry - this may be concern for your dog rather than the
fireworks, but your dog doesn't know that.
'Reassurance' does the opposite of reassuring, and merely tells the dog that there is something to be reassured about and
makes the threat a reality.
Fuss and cuddling rewards the dog for his fearful reaction, and tells him it is correct to be frightened of fireworks.

When my dogs first encountered fireworks a

years ago I had three young dogs. All of a sudden the sky came alive with

noise and

light. It took

by surprise! My neighbours were having a big firework party but had not warned us. The dogs were in

their

sleeping

place

under my desk, but as their world exploded they were instantly up and at the door. I reacted exactly as I would if

it had

been

nothing

special

. I

opened the door. Two of them ran out and came back in very quickly!! I said nothing and shut the door, pulled

the

blinds down and went

back to my desk.

I am not exaggerating when I say that they looked at me, saw I was chilled, and then went back to their spot under my desk. They

trust

me to

make the decisions because of the way I always behave with them,

and this is what I can teach you

. The earlier you start

before

November

5th, the better.

The following weekend there were more fireworks the other side of my garden, and we all sat out under our covered veranda and

watched,

just as we may do during a storm.