Dogs And Fireworks

Before I go any further can I please make a special request that you take particular care of your dog's welfare over the next few weeks.

Obviously I don't know if local traditions are the same where you live, but here in the UK we're coming up to the scariest time of year for dogs (and other pets).

I'm referring, of course, to fireworks parties.

In this country 5th November - Guy Fawkes night - is traditionally celebrated with bonfires and fireworks parties. Lots of schools and youth groups put on large displays as fundraising events and many families have their own private parties at home.

But the dates of these will vary, and in practice the first fireworks start being let off a couple of weeks before the 5th, and they're often still being heard for another two weeks or so after the day.

Although I've not heard any yet, I expect to hear the first of them one night this week.....

Dogs vary in their reaction to fireworks. At best they get nervous and very edgy. At worst they totally freak out in sheer terror.

One night this time last year I was out for a walk when I found a terrified old labrador bitch. Fortunately she was wearing an ID tag. I took her home and called the owner who was frantic with worry about her. Her son had been out for a walk with the dog when a loud firework suddenly went off and the dog just bolted into the night in fear.

The very next night I was driving to my local town and was about a mile from home when I saw up ahead of me a dog running hell for leather along the side of the road. As I got closer I could see it was Sophie, an Airedale terrier belonging to a family who live in the same street as me.

Her tail was tucked between her legs and she looked terrified. I pulled over and called her but she wasn't stopping for anything. I turned round and drove straight back to her owners house to tell them.

Dad was at home on his own. As far as he knew Sophie was out for a walk with his wife and the kids. When I told him what had happened he guessed straightaway she'd been spooked by a firework as he said a similar thing had happened a few nights earlier. He got straight in his car and went out looking for her.

It turned out that they'd had her on the leash when a great 'boom' had completely panicked her. She'd been bucking and rearing in terror, and while they were trying to calm her down she slipped the leash and was gone.

Please folks - don't let this happen to your dog.

If you think there could be fireworks walk the dog while it's still light, then keep it indoors. If you just can't avoid being out while fireworks are likely to be going off, keep the walk as short as possible.

And if you can, once you're indoors try and stay in the same room as the dog so you can reassure it if necessary. It's a terribly distressing time for them as they just have no idea what's going on. I'm not looking forward to it at all as neither of my two dogs like fireworks. The youngest one tolerates them rather uncomfortably, but the eldest gets in a dreadful state. She tends to cringe under the kitchen table and constantly whine.

I'd better take a deep breath and brace myself......

Recommended reading "Dog Training Blueprint To Success".

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