Are bangs out of order or do you wonder what the fuss is about?
Do you dread firework season or have you got it completely sorted?
What lengths do you have go to in order to keep sane?
Have you found anything that has really helped your dogs cope?
Many years ago we heard that someone was developing some fantastic new doggie ear plugs that really would take the bangs away. But we've not heard another peep from them since that initial call.
And we even got to try out some amazing doggie headsets from America developed for dogs that were frequent flyers. Our Christine in accounts took them home and as she still takes most of November off to go to the most remote place possible, that doesn't seem to have completely solved her firework phobias! Or maybe it's just that there aren't enough headsets for all her brood?
How bad is your dog's firework fears?
What's the worst experience you've had?
The other day we heard of a vet that shuts up shop so he can can holiday on a remote island with his dogs as they get so stressed, if even a vet can't sort this out, what hope is there?
Our Karen Redpath is working on a feature and would love to hear your firework experiences.
Please email Karen directly or leave a comment here.
Her email is karen@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
What lengths do you have go to in order to keep sane?
Have you found anything that has really helped your dogs cope?
Many years ago we heard that someone was developing some fantastic new doggie ear plugs that really would take the bangs away. But we've not heard another peep from them since that initial call.
And we even got to try out some amazing doggie headsets from America developed for dogs that were frequent flyers. Our Christine in accounts took them home and as she still takes most of November off to go to the most remote place possible, that doesn't seem to have completely solved her firework phobias! Or maybe it's just that there aren't enough headsets for all her brood?
How bad is your dog's firework fears?
What's the worst experience you've had?
The other day we heard of a vet that shuts up shop so he can can holiday on a remote island with his dogs as they get so stressed, if even a vet can't sort this out, what hope is there?
Our Karen Redpath is working on a feature and would love to hear your firework experiences.
Please email Karen directly or leave a comment here.
Her email is karen@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
Comments
This is what I do :
1) Plug their ears with a piece of cotton dipped in a little oil (stays firmly plugged in the ear)
2) Move them to the furthest corner of the house where the sound is at its mutest best
3) All my dogs are crate trained from day 1. And I notice that when they are stressed they look for their crate. So before the madness starts I put them in the crate so they have time to settle in beforehand itself.
4) Feed them early way before the fireworks kick off so they are comfortable. Once the fireworks start they are not going to eat at all.
Since this is almost a week's activity in India we have to go through quite a bit. So of course the best way is also to ensure that they are exposed to the fireworks bit by bit right from the time they are puppies so it doesn't come as too much of a shock.
But all said and done it is an extremely stressful time for the dogs.
Last year a few of us behaviourists from twitter set up http://www.dogsandfireworks.com/ which gives a free advice booklet and an mp3 file for owners to accustom their dogs to the bangs and crashes. We ask for voluntary donation to Dogs Trust for anyone choosing to download which can be done on the site. I will copy this as an email to Karen too. The more dogs and owners we can help the better.