Bonfire night is coming up and the sudden bangs and flashing lights of fireworks can be a frightening experience for many dogs. However there are things you can do to minimise any stress.
Here’s our top ten tips for keeping your dog calm:
- The most important thing is to remember is to appear calm and confident as dogs can pick up on our own anxieties and this can influence their behaviour.
- Find out when and where fireworks displays are planned in your local area.
- Keep your dog indoors at night in the run-up to fireworks season – some people start the fireworks early.
- Stay in with your dog – don’t leave him on his own.
- Take your dog for an early walk before it gets dark and let him/her toilet before the fireworks start.
- Close all the windows and doors to minimise noise and have the radio or TV on to provide some background noise.
- Block out flashing lights by drawing the curtains or blinds and leave lights on in the rooms your puppy or dog has access to.
- Prepare a ‘den’ for your puppy or dog where they can feel safe – this could be their crate or a blanket draped over a table, You can encourage them to use this by providing them with a chew or a Kong, but don’t force them to stay there if they choose another spot in the house they prefer.
- If your dog is chewing something they shouldn’t in order to cope with their fear, avoid telling them off and give them something appropriate to chew on instead.
- Give your puppy or dog something to do on Bonfire night, a new toy or stuffed frozen kong will often do the trick.