Your pet and Fireworks

For some dogs who endure the misery of Bonfire night or New Year’s Eve, now is the time to be making preparations. There have been many advances made in dog behaviour, particularly in the field of Noise Phobia. We have no exact figures for how many dogs are affected, but judging by the number who attend our clinics in mid to late October it is quite a few. Most dog owners with problems will seek our advice at about that time and indeed there is much that can be done to alleviate your pet’s distress at that time.

Whilst vets have used sedatives for many years, the new developments have centred around research in the field of pheromones. These are chemicals released by the body that can be detected by the dog’s nose. I’m sure we can all think of a particular smell that reminds us of, say, a particular forest, or the smell of your mum’s shortbread hot from the oven. Dogs, with their far more sensitive noses are even more susceptible to this.

A company has now developed a pheromone that is very similar to that produced by a bitch when she feeds her young. So particular is this scent that dogs who smell it are reminded of when they were puppies and of a time when they were warm, secure and comforted. This is exactly what is needed when they are anxious and frightened, certain location – a beach, or a whatever the cause.

One of the first steps with an anxious dog is now to install a device that looks like an air freshener into the house a few weeks before the anticipated noise starts. In addition to this, many practices now have access to a special retraining course that includes a CD of noises that are associated with fear. The idea is that you can introduce these noises gradually and in a calm environment so that your fearful dog begins to associate the noise not with the sheer terror of last November 5th, but with a calm environment. Gradually you can acclimatise the dog to ignore the noises altogether.

The program takes time. If you want to help your dog for this years Firework’s night, you need to be talking to you veterinary practice now.