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Fourteen
FIREWORKS
Remember,
remember the fifth of November, well of course we
will remember the fifth even here in Cyprus. At this
time of year we get the obligatory warnings about
pets and fireworks don't mix, just like "A dog
is for life not just Christmas" in the festive
season. Unfortunately people expect these warnings
and it tends to be one of those messages that you
see often enough that it has no real meaning. Well
dogs can be very seriously affected during a fireworks
display and these affects could be with the dog for
the rest of its life. I say dogs but of course loud
noises can affect any animal not just pet dogs, however
I will concentrate on dogs here.
Although fireworks
tend to be used one night a year the results of a
dog with an aversion to loud noises can be seen at
anytime. For instance if your dog has been affected
by a bad experience of fireworks then any loud crack
will revive this fear and can be very dangerous. You
could be loose running your dog and a car backfires
sending your dog into blind panic, this could easily
lead to a dog running into the distance or worse onto
a road. Believe me this has happened in the past with
fatal consequences. I once witnessed a dog scale a
9 foot chainlink fence with barb wire on the top after
a firework was set off.
I f you find
your dog is affected by loud noises then it is in
both your interests that you take a course of action
that will reduce this fear for the future. Do not
fall into the trap of assuming that it is acceptable
for your dog to hide under your bed, quivering from
fright one night a year. I also do not believe in
giving the dog sedatives as a matter of course, this
does not solve the problem but just masks it for one
night.
As with any
form of condition there is a course of action available
to you, Prevention, Treatment and Cure. Preventing
a dog from developing a fear of load noises can be
very easy, especially when done early on in life.
It is a simple case of taking your dog into areas
that are noisy as part of his daily routine, walking
him along a busy main road, near building sights or
even past a firing range which is being used. If the
dog learns that these noises are a normal part of
everyday life then they will accept loud noises so
much easier.
If you find
your dog is suffering from a fear of fireworks on
the night the following treatment should be used in
the short term. Quite often the presence of a family
member in the house can reduce the anxiety, they can
also prevent physical damage to the house if the fear
is extreme. If you must go out then try leaving the
TV or radio on, see Dog Trainer's Tips 7 about anxiety.
The dog should not be over-reassured, if every time
there is a loud bang you cuddle your dog and start
to talk to him he may believe that this is a sign
that you are scared and will compound the fear. Try
to act in a matter of fact way as if these loud noises
are a normal part of everyday life. It may be worth
taking your dogs mind off of the noise by giving him
a distraction, playing with a toy or feeding him.
Ensure he does have a place to go if it all gets to
much such as his bed, keep the room windows and curtains
closed.
It will be
so much easier for you all if you can cure this problem
not only for next fireworks night but in case a loud
noise is encountered at anytime. Start by exercising
the dog in noisy areas as described above, always
be matter of fact, try playing with a toy in such
areas to give a pleasurable experience. Introduce
loud noises whilst the dog is feeding. Give the dog
his food and get somebody else to make a noise in
the garden, if he is frightened enough to be put off
his food increase the distance, once he accepts the
noise at a set distance move closer so the noise gets
louder. Decrease the distances slowly and always move
further away the moment the dog demonstrates anxiety.
This process can take a few weeks rather than days
but is well worth the effort for the dog to have a
happier and potentially safer life.
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This article
was written by Paul C Bunker, a professional dog trainer.
You can visit the website at www.Southwestk9services.com for more articles and
dog training resources. You may freely distribute
this article or save to any electronic media as long
as it is left intact, including this copyright box.
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