New Forest Dog Owners Group on keeping your pets safe during new year fireworks
A New Forest dog group has offered advice for owners on keeping their pets safe during new year fireworks.
The New Forest Dog Owners Group says owners should start to desensitise their furry friends at an early age, but there are also handy tips for the older subject.
David Bennett of NFDOG recomended associated the loud noises with games or treats.
"Soundtracks of fireworks and other loud noises are available on YouTube, or CDs and videos," he said.
"The method is to play the noise softly while having a fun game, rewarding or treating the dog who will learn to associate this sound with something pleasant, like a treat or a cuddle.
"This takes time to learn, but is worth doing on a regular basis as part of your routine training if your dog is noise or light sensitive."
However, he said there are also "more immediate" things owners can do now to help lessen the fear of fireworks.
"Make sure the dog has a safe place to go and hide if it feels frightened.
"A crate covered in a blanket where they cannot see flashes can be a safe place, or you could make a den anywhere in the house such as under a bed or in a corner of a quiet room.
"Dogs naturally try to go and hide somewhere away from the danger to feel safer and owners should let them do so if they feel they want to."
David also recommended diffusers, collars or sprays with DAP – dog appeasing pheromone – which can help calm a an anxious pup.
"A DAP is synthetically produced to mimic a hormone in their mother’s milk; it produces a sense of calm and sleepy wellbeing. Pet stores also sell calming treats for dogs specially formulated with herbs like camomile and lavender which can help."
He also warned owners to avoid approaching a dog's place to hide.
"If a dog seeks reassurance from its owner they should do so with strokes, cuddles and contact, but owners shouldn’t go into their den, or crate – it is best to leave them alone if they chose to hide alone.
"Owners should try to control their own anxiety or their pet will probably pick up on the stress and make the situation worse."
David also advised to prepare their dogs on New Year’s Eve: "Go out for a walk during the day so the dog is comfortable, and let them out in the garden while it is still light to have a wee if they need it.
"The normal adult dog bladder is perfectly capable of holding it after that until morning; water should be available at all times. A dog frightened of fireworks can easily panic and escape from your garden or slip the leash if they are outside on New Year’s Eve.
"When things are settled indoors, close the curtains to hide flashes, turn the TV or music a little bit louder to hide the sounds from outside. Slow, orchestral music can be calming for your dog. Some radio stations even play music specifically for dogs on firework night!
"Vets can offer advice if a dog is known dog can have severe reactions to fireworks. There are medicines that they can prescribe to help calm a dog temporarily during fireworks."
Sarah Morris, a committee member of NFDOG, said: "This is a significant problem in some dogs, and despite all this advice there is still a chance that your dog might still react in some way.
"This is a deep-rooted problem that does not easily resolve itself. Have realistic expectations. If you can minimise the fear that your dog feels in any way then it is worth trying as much as you can.”
