Thursday 28 September 2017

More on Fireworks and Noise Fears

Bang Bash Boom

Does your dog have issues with noise? Fireworks, loud traffic, ghost noises (you know – the noises that you don’t hear), crow scarers, thunder etc? Have you just got a puppy or rescue dog and don’t know the answer to these questions? Please read on.

Fireworks fear is probably the noise fear that’s talked about most. And sadly, as ‘that time of year’ comes around, many need to pop into their vets again for some pills. And indeed, that is a sensible thing to do. There are new drugs available now that can help.  So, please do go and chat with your vet now.

However, many folks consider this a permanent problem - something that they need to put up with every year. Perhaps we go on holiday for the week, or send our dogs to a quiet kennel. Again, all good management strategies. 

The thing is, though, that for most dogs fireworks phobias can be fixed. Many have been helped with a simple noise desensitisation programme coupled with the use of some calming aid such as Adaptil (exposing your dog to the same pheromones that they experienced when they were just born).

Perhaps you’ve already tried this and it’s not worked? 

The bad news is that indeed it doesn’t work for some. But, the good news is that it does work for many and also that there are many other calming options: herbal, food supplements, clinical medication and complementary therapies. (Read about calming aids for dogs here.) It’s all about finding the one that works for your pooch. Unfortunately, we don’t know which one will absolutely work – because we can’t stick a needle in our dog’s brains and find out what’s imbalanced. So, we may need to try a few. 

But there’s another problem that’s frequently overlooked. Noise fears and other fears and anxieties and other types of behavioural problem or training issues all serve to exacerbate the intensity of actual fireworks problem. So please think more broadly about what bothers your dog – it may well help with fireworks issues.

What to do now?  Whether you know your dog or puppy is going to have a problem or not - go look at www.pawsability.co.uk - or directly here (My dog is scared of fireworks and bangs - help! ) and click through the fireworks links for help on both fixing and preparing for this year’s fireworks. There you’ll find help and advice on the various calming options, preparing a safe den, safety indoors and out, and general behaviour help too.

Originally published in the Northern Times Sept 2017

Recommended further reading - Toni Shelbourne's book  - Help, my dog is scared of fireworks.