When the bangers go "bang" so does Peterpan!
Peterpan, being an anxious type dog, fireworks = stress for him ... particularly the bangers on fireworks night ...tonight the 5th of November, ....and unfortunately "bonfire night & fireworks parties" go on for many nights afterwards! This can be a tough time of year for some of us animal owners! This is how we get through this nightmare of seasons...and I am still at a loss to understand why humans like fireworks anyway?!!
Most of my dogs are not bothered by fireworks but we still drain as much energy as we can do to make sure all are resting when it gets dark! We begin the day with exercise...we then exercise some more and for Peterpan even more!
Here are my top tips:
- Drain energy from your dog - exercise! Try faster paced exercise such as running or cycling or even games of fetch it...over and over again!
- I Feed just before it gets dark as my dogs naturally rest after food.
- Take your dog out for another walk just before it gets dark or as close as you can to a display if you know when it is due, allowing time for a dog to get settled into the resting zone pre-fireworks!!
- Have the TV...radio...stereo on and loudish - but "Watch out" as some soap programmes do indeed feature "fireworks" so keep the remote handy!
- And - if there is a lull in this distraction noise - try singing, laughing or coughing loudly ... I do!!
- Use Dog psychology to overcome unstable mind - Ignore any acting-out e.g. protests like whining, shaking or pacing around - as to acknowledge or try to comfort a dog is using human psychology - with dogs to do this and share affection when the mind is unstable is to reinforce the wrong energy, mindset and acting-out behaviour...so don't be tempted to cuddle! Trust me - dog psychology enables your dog to move-on and out of the fearful-zone much more quickly - this is how I help my dogs to recover from fear of fireworks. If you must "cuddle" find a human instead...or a teddy bear :-)
- Humans - Clam Assertive energy please! Picture the calm scene you do want and don't even think about the fireworks as a dog will know if you are anxious or focused on them in any way!
- If the acting-out is too much e.g. aggressive/destructive/toileting/vocalization - then I step-in with calm energy to correct, for the most nervous of dogs it is best to have them leashed to avoid getting accidentally hurt by a dog who is frightened, give a leash "pop" and remember to redirect the dog - what do you want them to do instead?
- Remember too that it is very hard for an excited or nervous dog to sit/down calmly - have something else prepared for them to do instead! - Have a way for the dog to release pent-uo nervous energy - I have a chew toy for Peter so he can displace his frustrated energy!
- Reward relaxed behaviour with your mind - think "good dog" as your dog does understand this energy as rewarding from us and keep your facial expression "happy" - smile so you are communicating "relaxed human relaxed dog"!
I have some Rescue Remedy for Peterpan which helps him to calm down, I take some too :-)
Off for another walk now - Peterpan you will be tired!!
Stay safe - Stay Calm Assertive
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