Everdogs

01/08/2024

Crating your dog during hot weather - great info and advice below 👇
Dogs need to move around and self select different areas for several reasons, and even more so when it's hot or cold. So important for quality sleep, which is so important to everything!
This is why I prefer pens or very large crates if a dog needs to be contained for a long period of time, whatever the reason.

🥵 DOG CRATES & HOT WEATHER! 🥵

Last night this guy had me up twice. He’s not very good at communicating he needs to go out and does displacement behaviours like rolling upside down making a quacking noise, a weird burping noise or pacing up and down the hallway.

Despite having the fan on in the hall and access to a cold, hard floor in different areas, he was too hot!

Dogs often change their position and location multiple times across a sleep/rest period. This is especially the case for thick or double coated breeds or individuals who ‘run hot’.

Amigo and Kanita will stay in their beds in the bedroom all night but sometimes Kanita gets out of her bed to lie on the floor.
(Yes, they sleep in our bedroom! They have the choice to sleep elsewhere, but they want to sleep close as a group).

However, across the evening when we are all hanging in the lounge all three dogs are changing where they rest frequently. With the current heat, despite having a fan on, they are changing positions about 2-3 times each per hour!

One reason dogs change the location or position of where they sleep is to regulate their body temperature.

Another reason is that different sleeping positions may better support different phases of sleep.
Being able to stretch out fully promotes REM sleep- the phase of sleep where memory consolidation and recovery from stressors is at optimum!

Think how about your quality of sleep lying down vs when sat upright! Do you do the nodding dog? 😴 🛌

Taking this species-specific sleeping behaviour and the current hot weather into consideration, it’s important to consider whether your set up for where your dog sleeps is allowing them to regulate their temperature.

Whilst positioning a fan towards a dog who is crated is considerate to them over heating, dogs who aren’t crated can demonstrate a preference to move away after a duration of sitting in front of a fan. 🪭

It’s not uncommon for dogs to suddenly develop an aversion to their crates during hot weather. This may be due to heat, or even due to an increase in audible sounds at night due to open windows 🪟

My preference is that dogs have the freedom to regulate their temperature and stretch out fully by being given more than one option of where they can sleep rather than contained in an area with limited space.

A compromise to providing total free range- where your dog can access multiple sleeping spots in various locations and of various surfaces- may be a dog bed in a room behind a stargate, or a crate with an open door paired up with a large puppy pen. However, be mindful the only padded surface isn’t in a small, contained space or that a hard floor is the only alternative to a thick, cushioned bed! A nice rug or padded mat may provide an in between.

If your dog genuinely loves their crate and considers it to be their consistently comfy bed and safe place - they’ll go inside on their own accord and stay inside even when the door is left open.

11/07/2024

🐾🐶 How to grow a puppy 🐶 🐾

From 8 weeks to nearly 8 months!

Wow Dash has been an incredible puppy! 😃

One of the reasons you've not seen many puppy posts is because he has breezed through this sensitive critical period of development.

Puppies go through periods often referred to as "fear periods" where they find previously neutral things worrying or scary.

Puppies are also experiencing and seeing things for the very first time a lot. Every day. All the time! And it's normal for puppies to be cautious or worried about these new things.

But Dash took novel experiences, sights and sounds in his stride.

His confidence and optimism are fantastic.

Lots of this is genetic. But I've been working to maintain and boost this.

How?

✅️Building a secure attachment
✅️Nutrition
✅Lots of ️sleep
✅️Appropriate exercise
✅️Play
✅️Exploring new experiences
✅️Quality social interaction

Of course I have been teaching him too, but the main things that will help him develop into a confident dog are the ones above, not whether he can sit or not! (Spoiler alert: he can 😝).

I'll post more details on these important factors to well-rounded puppies and dogs.

As we hit adolescence, Dash has started to be unsure sometimes. This is also totally normal. Adolescence is also a critical development period where the brain changes rapidly.

More on this later!

04/07/2024

The best thing about any election is ! 🐾❤️
Everdogs Dash, Zeke, Piper and Cara over the years 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2017.
My boy Zeke no longer with us 💔
Did you take your dog?? Show us in the comments! 👇

27/06/2024

EMERGENCY CARE FOR HOT DOGS - Get them wet and off to the vet!
It may have cooled off a wee bit here in Scotland, but this is crucial advice if your dog overheats 👇
Remember heatstroke is a CRITICAL EMERGENCY ⚠️ in dogs. Act fast. Cool then transport to a vet ASAP

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...

We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!

But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.

You should:

💧Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
💧NB: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car

In studies they found that:

🌅International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
🌅Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
🌅Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
🌅No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold‐water immersion.
🌅Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
🌅Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion

The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.

Read more below:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

11/05/2024

Did you know that the solar storm currently over the UK can impact on our dogs? Especially if sensitive or anxious. Fascinating info here 👇

Solar storms and how it may impact your dogs.

Scientific studies have repeatedly demonstrated that dogs are sensitive to geomagnetic changes.

Currently the earth is experiencing a powerful solar storm. It's effects on our dogs should not be underestimated. Especially our sensitive working dogs who are bred to have a heightened sense of direction. Dogs who are anxious or nervous may experience exacerbated symptoms. Dogs are sensitive to even small changes in the earth's magnetic field, this current storm is big and disruptive.

Epileptic dogs and people may be affected. There is a huge body of evidence relating to solar storms and seizures, have a little Google, there's too many relevant bits of literature to post here.

What can you do? Dogs are at increased risk of becoming disorientated in new environments, keep them on lead, in sight, have a heightened awareness of where they are. For dogs who rely on their sense of direction for work such as sheepdogs working hills, search and rescue dogs, tracking dogs, hunting dogs and trail dogs, it might be worth evaluating putting off any work where a dog may get lost. This is not me being a f***y either, I've already heard of a couple of normally savvy dogs becoming lost and disoriented in the north of Scotland, out of character for them.

In humans existing mental health conditions can worsen temporarily, particularly conditions caused by or associated with trauma, where your integral ability to orientate becomes distrupted and makes you feel unsafe, increasing anxiety and hypervigilance. This change in your presentation can also impact your dogs.

Just something to be aware of. As much as it sounds like hippy woo woo nonsense, I can assure you, it's a thing.

"the idea that animals can detect Earth’s magnetic field has traveled the path from ridicule to well-established fact in little more than one generation. Dozens of experiments have now shown that diverse animal species, ranging from bees to salamanders to sea turtles to birds, have internal compasses. Some species use their compasses to navigate entire oceans, others to find better mud just a few inches away."

https://pubs.aip.org/physicstoday/article/61/3/29/413382/Magnetoreception-in-animalsDetermining-how-animals

(Google stock image)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259472878_Dogs_are_sensitive_to_small_variations_of_the_Earth's_magnetic_field

17/04/2024

⚠️ Be careful with your very cute puppy!
I have been very careful to not allow every single person we see to meet and greet Dash.
Your dog might be scared.
Your dog might be getting over excited and learning that people are for jumping all over.
Excellent advice as ever from Dog Communication 👇

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR VERY CUTE PUPPY..

Or they may grow up to be worried about people..

All puppies are adorable but some seem to get much more attention than others. If they have unusual markings, or are a rare breed or look like a teddy bear or are absolutely tiny, they may get even more attention than your average pup.

Your very cute puppy may get loads of attention from people. You may get groups of kids reaching to touch them, people trying to pick them up etc. it may feel like this is great socialisation for them but it may be too much for some puppies.

I see so many clients with gorgeous dogs and their adult dogs have become reactive to people and may bark or snap if people reach out to touch them. There are many reasons this can develop but a significant one is that cute puppies can sometimes get overwhelmed by well meaning strangers when they are tiny.

Some puppies can find all this attention and the 8 million hands trying to stroke them too much and then you risk them being overwhelmed and becoming worried at a young age.

Socialisation, where we help puppies to feel comfortable to all the things will experience as an adult, can actually result in sensitisation. If puppies are sensitised they grow up to be scared of the things you exposed them to, and in adult dogs, this can result in anxiety that comes out as barking, lunging, growing or snapping at people if they find them scary. Puppies absolutely need exposure to lots of nice people of all different ages and types but it needs to be done sensitively and shouldn’t be a free for all. We need to manage socialisation so that it’s fun and feels safe for our puppies.

It’s a really important skill to be able to judge if your puppy is doing okay during socialisation and an even more important skill to know what to do if they aren’t coping.

When you are out with your puppy observe their body language carefully- are they wagging softly and trying to approach the person who wants to say hi to them? Are they able to eat treats and is their body looking soft and relaxed? If they are backing away, yawning, cowering or their tail is tucked then we need to advocate for pup and say ‘sorry they don’t want to say hi right now’

It’s often easier to see pups body language if they are on the ground and not being held by you. If they are being held it can be hard to tell if they are trying to move away and don’t want to be touched.

Be careful how people interact with them- not too many friendly hands reaching out at once, don’t let them get overwhelmed and don’t let people pick them up if they don’t want to be picked up (most puppies would prefer to stay on the ground). Try and make sure people use 1 hand and not 2 to stroke pup (this avoids hands clamping either side of pups face), ask people to stroke for a few seconds and then stop- if pup has had enough and doesn’t ask for more affection we need to respect that and move away. If your puppy has had enough, get them out of the situation and don’t ever worry about offending people- your puppy’s emotional needs come first.

My first puppy as an adult was my northern inuit Elsa, pictured here. She had striking facial markings and was an unusual breed so people were magnetised to her. Kids would surround her and hands would constantly reach out to touch her wherever we went. I probably oversocialised her and she was most likely overwhelmed by too many friendly people looking back, she was much more sensitive than I first realised. She grew up to not love new people much (she absolutely adored all dogs) and her extensive socialisation may have been part of the reason why.

I never ever made the same mistake again with all the puppies I’ve had since and I advise my clients to tailor the socialisation experience to their own pup. Some confident puppies lap up all the exposure to people you can give them and don’t find any of it overwhelming and some more sensitive puppies need a much more controlled and careful socialisation. If you aren’t sure what your puppy needs, getting professional help before any issues develop can be a good idea to get you off on the right track from the start.

If you’re now in the position of having an adult dog who reacts to people and you think it may be as they were overwhelmed as a puppy, don’t blame yourself. It can be hard to judge and we all do the best we can at the time. There are often many factors that contribute including genetic traits, pain and ill health and very early experiences too. Getting professional help can help sensitive adults to feel happier around people too.

Laura McAuliffe 2024, Dog Communication

14/03/2024

🐾 Puppy's first week 🐾
Dash has been keeping me very busy!
What should a puppy's forst week or so look like? As a trainer, did I do a ton of training from day one and every day? NOPE!

When we adopt a puppy, we take him artificially early away from his mum and his siblings. Away from everything he has ever known.

The priority is supporting your puppy to feel safe and meeting their emotional needs.

So what's the first week or so like?

🔐 Safety - keeping him feeling safe. This means not leaving him on his own to cry in distress. Sleeping together and supporting his emotional needs. On Dash's first night he slept right next to me, cuddled into my neck. On night two he slept right next to me in a crate on the bed so that we were still right next to each other. No this isn't mollycoddling, and no it doesn't lead to clingy puppies or separation anxiety. I'll post more on creating a secure attachment later.
❤️ Relationship building - getting to know each other, building trust, connection and fun.
🏠 New home - getting used to his new home, its sights, smells and sensations. His new dog and human family members.
🌎 Learning about the world - gentle exposure to new things in the house, then outside. Being carried and kept safe while experiencing quiet areas, getting to know areas we will go, observing his new dog family members walking and sniffing.
💩 Toileting - Learning where to toilet by being set up for success, taken out frequently, rewarded for outdoor toileting and not told off for indoor toileting.
⚽️Playing - lots and lots of playing!
🎓 Learning - one easy behaviour which he already half knew - sit.

Look out for more on Dash's first few weeks soon...

12/02/2024

Welcome to the Everdogs family Dash! ❤️🐾 Super handsome little man 🥰
Dash is my first baby puppy as I have always had rescue dogs previously. He's now three months old and has been with us for nearly a month.

He arrived a week after my mum's funeral and is a great antidote to the sadness of losing so many loved ones recently.

I've also had to manage a puppy with my older girl Cara, who has been very unwell causing me sleepless nights on top of puppy-related sleep deprivation!

It's bittersweet as Zeke would have loved him so much 💔

Dash is super confident and happy and is taking everything in his stride so far ❤️ Confidence and optimism is what I was looking for.

Looking forward to many adventures Dash 😊❤️🐾

01/02/2024

Got a reactive dog? *FREE* online festival on reactive dogs. Some excellent speakers here. Sign up link below 👇

How does FREE access to an absolute treasure trove of resources designed especially for owners of reactive dogs sound?
From nutrition advice to mindset through to expert dog training and even veterinary advice… you can tap into all of it for not. one. penny. (Yes, it’s free).
I’m just one of a whopping 34 incredible experts who Barking Up The Right Tree have brought together to help reactive dogs and their humans ALL. OVER. THE. WORLD.
It’s a virtual event that you can access from your inbox, so you can watch wherever you are and tap into a wealth of unseen sessions that I know will blow your mind.
>>> Sign up and save your free place here: https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/f/summit-24
Barbara Paterson and Julia Hawkins of Barking Up The Right Tree have gathered an astounding line up of expert dog geeks for you.
But perhaps most importantly, you should know this. 👇
They have done something very different with this…. It’s fun. It’s simple. It makes the hard stuff make sense.
And if that hasn’t got you frantically searching for the sign up link, just take a look at the line up…
Zak George, Susan Garrett, Ian Dunbar, Michael Shikashio, Grisha Stewart Kim Brophey, Robyn Hood, Andrew Hale, Dr Edward Bassingthwaite, Kamal Fernandez, Linda Michaels, Dr Isla Fishburn, Julia Robertson, Anushree Thammanna, Hélène Lawler, Stephanie Zikmann, Deb Bauer, Clair Hickson, Tracey McLennan, Laura Maulbetsch, Team R+ Gundogs, Sowjanya Vijaynagnar, Tom Candy, Niki French, Victoria Shepherd, Emma Parsons, Cathy Slot, Jess Adams, Alexa Capra, Meghan Barrett, Janet Finlay, and your hosts Dr Barbara Paterson and Julia Hawkins
The sign up link again for you >>> https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/f/summit-24
Please feel free to share with anyone you think could use some motivation and inspiration this winter. See you there!

30/12/2023

2023 has been an emotional rollercoaster of a year for me. The sudden death of a very important person in my life, followed six months later by the sudden and traumatic loss of Zeke, my gentle, sweet baby boy dog, left me broken 💔. Then recently followed the death of my mum, which, though expected following a long illness, brought all the grief and trauma crashing back full force.

So Everdogs has been quiet this year.
But even in the midst of grief, it's good to focus on the positive. There are always glimmers, even in the darkness.

❤️ This year I had the pleasure of assessing 22 assistance dogs and their fantastic people for Public Access Tests. This allows these amazing dogs to help their people navigate the world safely and supported, however each individual needs supporting. I love this part of my job so much and am grateful to have the opportunity to help make someone's life a little easier ❤️
❤️ This year I also started my Masters degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh. Securing a place on this highly competitive course is a dream come true 😊
❤️ This year Zeke started competing in agility and won four first places, winning into Grade 3. He loved his agility and was gaining confidence and speed. It hurts to look back at the moment, but I want to recognise our hard work and training as a team as one of this year's successes and joys ❤️

2024 is bringing a new beginning in many ways, not least the pitter patter of tiny paws joining as Everdog number 4 ❤️🐾

Wishing everyone a happy new year when it comes ❤️🐾

14/11/2023

You can register your XL Bully or "type" now - you don't need a behavioural assessment or any court proceedings.
See below for more info 👇
Copied from Cooper & Co: Doglaw
The portal to get an XL Bully type dog exempted is now open and you can do it online using the link below. You'll need to make the payment of £92.40 per dog, have Third Party Liability insurance and know your dog's microchip details. It's very straightforward : there is no need for a Court application nor a behavioural assessment. The dog will have to be neutered by 30th June 2024 or 31st December 2024 (depending on the age of the dog as at 31st January 2024)

Use this service to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep XL Bully dogs.

05/11/2023

🎆 FIREWORKS! 🎆
The single biggest tip I can give you if your dog is scared of fireworks is – mask the noise with Taiko drumming.

Firework bangs are low-frequency sounds which are easily able to pass through the walls of your house. You can’t mask low-frequency sounds with things like classical music. You can’t “dampen” the sound with blankets over crates. In fact, you can’t sound proof against low-frequency sounds at all.

But you CAN effectively mask the sound by using sounds of the same frequency or lower – Taiko drumming is really effective. So is putting a pair of trainers in the dryer or washing machine.

🥁 Use the best speakers you have and, if you can, turn up the bass – this is the low-frequency sound that you need.

🥁 I use the YouTube “Taiko Drums 10 hours” recording

🥁 If you can, play on two different devices started at different times to help cover any gaps in the music

This excellent advice comes from behaviourist and degree-qualified sound engineer Eileen Anderson of Eileenanddogs. She has some excellent resources if your dog is worried about sounds of any kind.

Understanding the distinction between fears and phobias is important for dogs who are sensitive to noise.

Fear and the startle response to a sudden loud noise is a natural behaviour which helps animals (and people) to avoid dangerous situations and threats. Being frightened and unsettled by fireworks is a normal response.

Phobias are generally excessive responses that interfere with an animal’s ability to function normally. Dogs with sound phobia will typically display profound reactions of panic, escape / avoidance, shaking, salivating.

If your dog is phobic, speak to a vet about medication now.

Taiko Drums 10 hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1czjURFkHh0

Eileen and Dogs – dogs and sound archives
https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/category/dogs-and-sound/

03/11/2023

CALLING BULLY OWNERS 📢🐾
The news from UK government on the banning of XL Bully "type" dogs is problematic for a whole host of reasons, not least because many, many dogs that are not XL Bullys will fit the "type" characteristics listed.
Scottish law is a bit different, however, don't bank on it not following suit.
If you have a large bull breed type dog, my advice would be to start muzzle training now. Yes even if they are not an XL.
I muzzle train all my dogs because it's a useful life skill - you never know when your dog might be injured enough to be snappy and defensive and so need a muzzle at the vets.
It's also a lot of fun to train!
I recommend The Muzzle Movement muzzles and The Muzzle Up Project for more great muzzle training tips and videos.
Love to all the big headed bully love bugs out there ❤️ and good luck 🤞

🐕📣 Muzzle training with our experts
If you own an American Bully XL type dog, you can start preparing them for the restrictions by making sure they are trained to happily wear a muzzle.
We’re offering free online sessions to help you do this and will cover:
👉 information about the most suitable types of muzzle
👉 how to ensure a good fit
👉 how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing their muzzle.
Book now 👉 https://bit.ly/40me1M7
Our expert trainers have muzzle trained thousands of dogs in our care and can answer any other questions you might have about how to prepare for any upcoming changes affecting you and your dog.
These sessions are designed to support owners of American Bully XLs in light of the recent news, but all dog owners are welcome to attend. It’s useful for all dogs to be able to wear a muzzle comfortably – for those who are anxious at vet visits, for dogs who like to eat undesirable things on a walk or to keep other dogs and people safe if dogs are worried.

31/10/2023

🎃 TRICKS FOR TREATS 🎃🐾 Everdog Cara is 15 and till loves a wee wave ❤️

27/10/2023

🎃 TRICKS FOR TREATS 🎃
Featuring Zeke, my baby boy I tragically lost recently 😢
Have some fun with your dog with this cool trick!

20/10/2023

Grief, trauma and losing a young dog 💔
Today Zeke should have been turning 4. It's only a few weeks since he left. Birthdays and anniversaries are always hard when grieving, but grief for a young dog is extra heartache 💔
A grief those who haven't had animals in their life find hard to understand.
He wasn't just a dog. They are never just a dog.
I am grieving my baby boy, my heart aches for his loss 💔
His goofiness, his big, big smile, his soft nose and gentle cuddles.
But I am also grieving the loss of his future, our future together.
His joy in running agility with me, he was doing well, his last show where he won into Grade 3 with two firsts and a second place, I got so many positive and lovely comments about his runs.
We were going to perfect his running contacts over winter at my field. Now I don't have a reason to go to my field, nor can I face it as it's too painful.
We were going to go on more adventures, hills and beaches and forests.
He was going to have birthdays and Christmases filled with presents and joy.
He was going to grow into a silly old man, still goofy but with grey hairs and a slower pace.
But we won't be doing these things. And he won't have the gift of age.
And on top of this, due to the circumstances that day, I am processing trauma.
My brain had blanked a lot out, but as time passes I am getting mini flashbacks. I am getting vivid nightmares.
The brain and heart are incredible things, holding our emotions. I have to remind myself that the pain I am feeling comes from the strong emotion of love. Love for my boy ❤️💔
Hug your dogs. Play with your dogs. Spoil your dogs. They are treasures.
You never know how long you have.

I am taking a break from seeing clients as this is taking a huge toll on me. I am still supporting existing clients where I can. Please bear with me 🙏

18/10/2023

With Diwali and Bonfire night approaching, we have some TOP TIPS for keeping your pet safe this firework season.

Dogs:https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fireworks-Series-Behaviour.pdf

Cats:https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-How-to-prepare-your-cat-for-fireworks.pdf

10/10/2023

Great post on fireworks as we get to that time of year again 🙉

💥 FIREWORKS 💥 Be proactive, not reactive!

Fireworks season is approaching and for most dogs with behaviour problems, this time of year can really set things back. It is not uncommon for us to have cases who report a more serious incident (involving other dogs or humans) or increased fearful behaviour following the 5th of November.

Do remember the delayed effects of stress. Behaviour is also at risk of escalating when the body and brain is trying to recover from a stressor- rather than only reacting during the stressful event.

🗣️ “Yeah, well…..my dog's fine with fireworks"

Even if your dog has not shown a negative response to fireworks previously it’s sensible to be prepared.

Dogs who react to other sounds around the home may generalise this behaviour to fireworks. Alternatively, exposure to fireworks may escalate or intensify their response to other sounds.

My experience is that many dogs show an increase in sensitivity to fireworks at 2-3 years of age onwards and we know from research (Mills 2018) that the risk of developing sound sensitivity increases with age, which may likely related to pain (flinching/startling hurts so negative associations are made with the sound!).

⚠️ Please do not consider your dog fireworks proof based on their early years.

All dogs’ behaviour is vulnerable to change and 10-12 months is a long period of time to pass since the last fireworks event. Please don't assume your dog will be fine this year, although hopefully they will be!
👀 It's sensible to get observable evidence that they are coping and relax proactive protective strategies accordingly.

I encourage my clients to proactively protect their dogs from fireworks rather than to action things once their dog is stressed and scared.

Here's some strategies you can do to proactively protect your dog from developing a fear of fireworks or to prevent existing anxieties and fears escalating:

🔊 Wall of sound
Playing brown noise, relaxing music, tv etc every evening from around mid-october onwards (area dependent of course, may need to be earlier or later in the month based on where you are).

🪟 Drawing curtains/blinds before it gets dark.

🌚 Avoiding walks in the dark
You'd be amazed at how many dogs develop a fear of fireworks based on one going off while they were out on a walk. Daylight walks or early morning walks are safest, and ensure your dog has toileted before 6pm early October and 4pm late October onwards. This is so they can avoid the garden until their pre-bedtime wee.

🎶 Playing music on your phone whilst you take dogs out for their bed time toilet visit can reduce exposure or intensity to some fireworks.

🧘‍♀️ Promoting Relaxation
Giving chews, lickimats, kongs, snuffle boxes/mats and treat searches around the house can all help facilitate a calmer state. Your dog may then be more likely to enjoy an exercise such as settle on a mat, where you can build relaxation.
Start these strategies and training as soon as possible so you do not ask them of your dog when they are stressed and scared.

Some dogs also enjoy a den like environment in a small or covered space. For such dogs, creating a den that is somewhat insulated from sound (thick heavy blanket, under the stairs/table etc) may be helpful.

❗️Remember ❗️A place is only a safe place if one chooses to be in there and can leave at any time. For e.g., A shut crate may appear to work- because your dog may appear to be resting in there. However, they could be interanlising their stress and more likely to communicate how they truly feel for being given the opportunity to express themselves more.

🎶 ➕🍖 Ad hoc counter conditioning
If you see your dog detect a firework and consider reacting (ears twitch or pulled back, sudden head lift or turn, getting up and standing still) - quickly praise and treat. Do the same with other noises that are similar.

One study (Reimer 2020) found that relaxation training, adhoc counter conditioning and situational anxiety medication in combination had the best effect on dogs.

👩‍⚕️ Speak to your vet!
Please consider getting situational anxiety medication lined up for the 4-6th November. Dogs with intense fears may benefit from a longer period. These medications can decrease in availability this time of year due to demand, so please speak to your vet about it now.

You will need to do a baseline test at home away from firework noises (and children and other dogs) so you can assess how your dog responds to the medication.
Tests are needed as sometimes dogs can become excited on the wrong dose (not helpful) and there is a risk of disinhibition with some drugs. This means that dogs who use warning signals may be more likely to escalate to biting (because they loose that inhibition). Hence why we recommend no children or other dogs close by as a precaution.

Please be reassured, negative effects of these drugs are relatively uncommon. More often than not- situational anxiety medication does what it's supposed to do and dogs become a bit d***y and sometimes even hungry (useful for counter conditioning). 69% of cases in the Reimer study reported an improvement.

🧠 Another benefit is that some medications can inhibit/block memory of an event, which is great at preventing existing fears escalating.

For those whose dogs are already on medication, there are many situational anxiety drugs that work well in combination with others- so please do talk to your vet!

I will be medicating my own dog Kanita on the 5th to protect her from becoming stressed by the fireworks and have found this has had a huge impact on her tolerance to them when she detects them outside of this date, as well as reducing her sensitivity to the sounds of gunshots (Note, I do not live in the hood, I live rurally! 🤣 ).

🪴 The Reimer study found neutraceuticals and herbal remedies did not report enough improvement to rule out the placebo effect. For dogs with a more strong sensitivity to sound, I do not recommend neutraceuticals as an alternative to medication- as it's not worth the risk of it not working in my opinion.

🏡 🌳 For dogs who have severe fireworks phobias or who are extra vulnerable (health conditions etc) - try get away somewhere remote for the peak time and book yourself into somewhere remote for a few days break! Do this ASAP if not already!

Sound sensitivity is a tricky thing for dogs to fully overcome, especially as it so often increases with age until the hearing starts to dwindle.
I recommend being proactive in protecting your dogs regardless of whether they have an established fear or not.

I’ll share some more tips and strategies you can do to protect your dogs in a couple of weeks 👍