Fire works

It is that time of year when people celebrate November the 5th with fireworks, now some dogs are fine with loud bangs but not all.   So what can you do?

• It is advisable not to go out and leave the dog on its own because being on its own could trigger fear.
• Give the dog a good walk later in the afternoon well before its dark.  Then let out for a wee just before you estimate any fireworks will go off.  Come inside and make your evening as normal as possible. 
• Draw the curtains, and turn up the TV or put loud music on.  Carry on as normal.
• Do not contain your dog to one room, if its starts to worry it can feel trapped.  So make sure all rooms have the curtains drawn in case it runs out into another room. 
• If your dog has fear, you can try skullcap and valerian tablets, five days before you need them.  Give them daily until the fireworks have stopped.  
• Nupafeed contains amino magnesium which can help with stress. Follow instruction on leaflet. 
• Buy a thunder shirt.
• In extreme cases you can ask your vet for tablets which help with anxiety. 
• If your dog chooses to hide under a chair let it.  Do not go pulling it out, or trying every which way.  Throw a blanket over the chair and let dog hide under neath it all.  Letting dog come out on its own in its own good time when its all over.
• Do not baby the dog, change voice tone, or go silly.  Remain calm and confident and carry on with your evening.  Because if you show your dog you're worried, the dog will worry more. 
• If your dog does not seem too bothered, put down your puzzle toys, snuffle mat, and chews.  Let the dog enjoy the evening giving it something to think about why your watch tv. 
• You must remain calm yourself.  If a dog sees its owner worrying it will worry.  It can sense adrenalin, so watch a movie and settle down for the evening. 
• Do not leave gateways or outside doors open.  
• Make sure your dogs microchip details are up to date. 
• If you have a dog thats fearful of fireworks you may want to de sensitise it to loud noises over weeks before and also contact a behaviourist for help.  I would play fire work noise.
• If we have puppies around this time we make sure we play the firework noises every day until they leave so they get used to noises. 
• I hope all of team Silvestre where ever you are gets through the next few weeks okay.