Canine Fear of Fireworks and Thunder

Fear of loud noises, e.g thunderstorms, fireworks is a relatively common problem with dogs.  It is more common in herding breeds e.g. Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs and their cross breeds but can happen in any breed.  Some times a triggering experience can be pinpointed but not always.  The phobias can start before the dog is even a year old and can increase in severity as the dog ages.  Dogs vary in how they show noise phobia.  Your dog may only appear restless or may show panting, trembling, pacing, barking, frantic escaping, loss of bladder and/or bowel control and destruction of property.

Prevention is always easier than trying to cure a long established phobia, so taking precautionary steps with youing dogs on their first Bonfire night or thunderstorm in April seems like a good idea.

1.  A tired dog can often be more relaxed, so go for a long walk in the afternoon on November 5th or before a bad thunderstorm is predicted.

2.  KEEP CALM YOURSELF.  Dogs are exceptionally good at reading body language and if you are worried you dog will be also.  Don't reassure your dog, as this makes him focus on how worried he is feeling.

3.  Never leave your dog alone on Bonfire night, especially if it is the first one.  Try to keep the excitement of children and visitors to a minimum untill they have left the house, as your dog will be more excited and therefore more easily roused into a panic attack.

4.  Put your dogs bed, food and water into a room that is central in the house with ideally no windows to the outside.  This helps to reduce nmoise levels for your pet.  If windows cannot be avoided remember to close the curtains.  Background noise in the form of a radio or TV can help drown scary noises.

5.  Use distractions if your dog is starting to be a bit nervous.  Do some basic obedience training, play a game, hunt for treats or anything else that will concentrate your dog's mind on you and not on the noises from outside.

6.  ALWAYS BEHAVE CONFIDENTLY AS IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM

If all goes well you will hopefully have a laid back dog that never goes on to develop noise phobia.  This unfortunately is not always the case and the earlier remedial treatment is given the more chance of success you have.

source: Owner information leaflet Park Veterinary Practice Watford

Fear of Fireworks                              
Treatment for phobic pets      
Body Wraps  

Fear of Fireworks

Fireworks, Desensitisation / Sound Therapy CD Crash, Bang, Wallop Compact Disc Format   Desensitisation tapes are also available from the Company of Animals on 01932 566696

Treatment for Phobic Pets

Body Wraps for Phobic Pets

A bumper sticker that I would love says, "Hugs, not drugs". It is known that a hug releases natural endorphins - feel-good chemicals that lower anxiety, help with pain-relief & allow you to cope with life better. I’d prefer a hug to medication any day!

Dogs, however, can find our hugging them distressing. They need to know that they can flee if they need to. How would it be if you could give them a portable hug? You can. Using an Ace wrap or T-shirt. Both of these give your dog a sense of their bodies, where their body ends & the world begins.

Many people are sceptical about them to start, but very quickly see how their companion settles down.

"My Stafford coped really well with the fireworks for the first time since I had him, he slept on the floor, only occasionally looking up for a big bang. I’d only ever known him to cower behind the sofa, & not come out for some time after the noise had stopped. I can now take him out for a wee!"

An added benefit to the wrap & the degree of relaxation it brings is to reduce pain. One dog has had his Metacam dose cut in half for a trapped nerve.

Another dog who suffers from seizures has dramatically reduced the number & duration of seizures, & the recovery time is down to 30 minutes. There are no signs of the usual exhaustion, & she wants to go out for exercise soon after an episode instead of resting for 24 hours.

Trips to the vet can be far less traumatic, allowing your dog to feel calm, & learn to think about the whole experience, instead of thinking "Vet bad"!

Sue Williams from Coventry says, "My dogs enjoy wearing their wraps. They queue up & wait to have them put on! I’ve been telling everyone about Body Wraps - they’re marvellous!".

HELP WITH SOUND SENSITIVITY & GENERAL CONFIDENCE
	Body wraps are being used around the world to bring an animals awareness to their body & away from the source of the fear (e.g. thunder, fireworks, etc..). The sense of security given by the wrap also brings confidence, allowing them to release habitual responses and behavioural patterns, allowing them to observe the world around them and respond rather than react to stimuli.
An elasticized strong bandage that has the versatility to be adapted to your animals needs. E.g. If you have a dog who seems disconnected from their rear-end, two wraps can be joined together to make a "full wrap", i.e. one that goes around both front and rear ends. This can also help dogs with hip-displacia & general stiffness (used for short periods only). You can use just one Ace wrap for a "half-wrap" around the chest & ribs. It is not advisable to leave an animal un-attended whilst wearing a wrap.  (Comes with securing pin). Ace wrap widths: 2" - toy & small dogs (up to small Cairn Terrier)   £4.00 3" - medium dogs (up to Collie or small Labrador) £4.80 4" - large dogs (up to GSD or Great Dane) £5.20
The T-Shirt
	95% cotton, 5% spandex. Made by Equafleece This well made t-shirt is shaped to fit your dog snugly, but not tightly. The t-shirt can also be used to help with contact allergies (grass seed etc..). It currently comes in two colours - Black or Camo (Greeny-brown)
Measure from the chest bone around the shoulder to level with the tail. 14 inch 18 inch 22 inch 24 inch 28 inch £12 £12 £15 £15 £18
Purchase Here www.mekuti.co.uk

Reprinted with kind permission from Rachael Manns
Tellington TTouch P2  www.mekuti.co.uk
www.animalsense.co.uk

**********************