Oracle Dogs

05/11/2024

Very good and very interesting post by Paw Chores - explaining why a dog might be scared of fireworks - and it's not because you comfort them so keep on helping them to feel safe.

I am really tired of the hurtful comments directed at those who have dogs with a fear of fireworks. There are so many accusing dog guardians of neglecting to socialize and train their dog or they are insinuating it is the guardian's response to the fireworks that makes the dog so afraid. This is despite the fact that dogs (and other animals) across the UK are having heart attacks, seizures and strokes, some of which have been fatal. How can a dog guardian's response to fireworks possibly elicit such an extreme reaction to fireworks?

And if this is the cause of such extreme fear, what accounts for the deaths of wildlife and farm animals? Are there people ‘coddling’ them too? Let's not forget dogs in rescue shelters. If it's our response that creates this fear, then why do rescue dogs show extreme anxiety and try to escape their kennels? They are in there alone most of the time. Such heartless comments are baseless since studies show that there are many factors that contribute to noise sensitivity and a fear of fireworks, as seen below.

Genetics

A study involving over 13,700 dogs in Finland discovered that around 32% of dogs had sound sensitivities and 26% were afraid of fireworks. The scientists in this study also identified a genetic predisposition to a fear of fireworks (Salonen, M. 2020) Blackwell et al. (2013) discovered that twelve breeds or breed types were less likely to show fear responses to noises than cross-breeds and their data suggest that some breeds may be predisposed to fear of loud noises, including fireworks.( Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) Thus, your dog may be afraid of fireworks, due to their genetics.

Pain & health conditions

A study showed that dogs that experienced muscle or bone pain were more sensitive to sudden noises, loud noises and different pitches than dogs who were noise-sensitive but didn’t have pain. (Lopes Fagundes 2018) The same study found that the average age of onset for noise sensitivity in dogs differed between groups. In clinical cases (with pain), the average onset of noise sensitivity was 5 years and 7 months.

“Although the average ages of the dogs at presentation were similar, the average age of onset of the problem was nearly 4 years later in the “clinical cases.” This strong theme of an older age of onset suggests that the pain may develop later in life and that owners seek treatment more readily, perhaps because the appearance of the problem is out of character in the subject. The average age of onset within the control population also suggests that the problem does not simply relate to a lack of habituation as a puppy and that other mechanisms need to be considered for many cases.” (Lopes Fagundes 2018)

Other health conditions can also trigger noise phobias. Conditions such as endocrine diseases, cardiopulmonary disease, neurological problems, and cognitive dysfunction, can potentially contribute to or exacerbate behavioural problems including noise fears. (Bowen J. 2008) So both pain and health conditions can cause a fear of fireworks.

Age

Studies show that fearfulness is most common in dogs aged 4-8 years and that noise sensitivity often increases with age., ( Milla Salonen 2020) Another study that supports this shows that the average age of onset of noise phobias developed around 4 years 7 months of age. Dogs progressing through adolescence also go through a second fear period from around 10-12 months of age. At this time of development, dogs can develop new fears and phobias, including noises like fireworks. As a dog reaches their senior years, ill health and conditions such as cognitive dysfunction disorder (dog dementia) can also cause anxiety, fear-related behaviours and noise sensitivities.

Anxiety

Studies show that dogs most fearful of noises also presented with a higher chance of separation-related anxiety and being fearful in novel situations. These dogs also took much longer to decompress after a stressful event compared to dogs less fearful of noises. (Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) It makes sense that if your dog is already struggling with anxiety, that they are more likely to develop noise phobias.

Survival Instinct

“An extreme avoidance response to a loud firework going off unexpectedly nearby, given the salience of this event and its unpredictability for the animal, can be interpreted as adaptive (‘rational’), an argument which has also been applied to extreme fear responses in humans”. (Davey, 1995) From a survival point of view, it is logical for dogs and other animals to respond in fear to explosions. Why wouldn't they? They can't reason that it's harmless.

It should be noted that studies have found that dogs that attend training classes are less likely to be afraid of fireworks however, it is unknown why this would be the case, as exposure to fireworks sounds is not usually part of the curriculum.

Many dogs have been desensitized to fireworks as puppies and have been adequately trained and socialized, and yet they still develop a fear of fireworks. The fact that dogs don’t develop this fear until around the age of 4 proves that often the fear is due to over-exposure, trauma, anxiety or health issues. If it was solely due to a lack of training or due to the dog guardians' response to the fear, we would likely see the phobia developing much earlier in the dog’s life.

Therefore, it is hurtful and completely speculative to blame guardians for a dog’s phobia of fireworks. The real blame rests on the shoulders of those who continue to set off loud fireworks, knowing for well the suffering it causes to dogs, pets, wildlife, and even people. - Holly Leake

Huge thanks to my friends at Canine Principles for their help finding studies on the subject. ❤️🐾

References

Bowen J. Firework Fears and Phobias. UK Vet Companion Anim. 2008;13:59–63. doi: 10.1111/j.2344-3862.2008.tb00529.x. [DOI] [Google Scholar]

Camps T., Amat M., Manteca X. A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats. Animals. 2019;9:1133. doi: 10.3390/ani9121133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar

Lopes Fagundes AL, Hewison L, McPeake KJ, Zulch H, Mills DS. Noise Sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Feb 13;5:17. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00017. PMID: 29487858; PMCID: PMC5816950.

Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015. Noise sensitivity in 17 dog breeds: Prevalence, breed risk and correlation with fear in other situations Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Volume 171, October 2015, Pages 152-160 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.08.020

Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S. et al. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Sci Rep 10, 2962 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z

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03/11/2024

Starting on Tuesday 5th November - weekday puppy classes. Block of 4 classes, 10.30-11.30. There's a couple of spots left and these will be the last puppy classes for this year. Starting again in January.
Booking at bookwhen.com/oracledogs

31/10/2024

🎃👻 Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pups! 👻🎃

Happy Halloween, dog lovers! 🐾 While tonight’s all about treats and costumes for us humans, it can be a spooky time for your furry best friend. Here are a few tips to keep your dog calm and safe as the doorbell rings and fireworks light up the sky:

🎃 Stay Indoors During Fireworks 🎇 – If possible, walk your dog well before nightfall to avoid any sudden firework scares. As the night goes on, keep them indoors to minimise exposure to sudden loud bangs. Ensure your fencing is up to scratch, microchip details registered, and a recent photo in case they go missing on you.

🎃 Create a Safe Space 🛋️ – Set up a cosy, quiet spot for your dog, away from the front door and windows. Pop on a calming playlist / audio book or white noise to help drown out any loud sounds.

🎃 Keep Treats Dog-Friendly 🍬 – Human sweets can be dangerous for dogs, especially chocolate and peanut beuuters containing xylitol. Have a few dog treats on hand to make sure they don't feel left out!

🎃Desensitise to Door Knocks 🚪 – If your dog is sensitive to knocking, place a sign asking trick-or-treaters to gently tap instead of knocking loudly. FREE POSTER DOWNLOAD HERE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zddXpG7nSox1spNeJFxXEjtWNOtYifyE/view

🎃Costumes: Keep It Simple 🎩 – While some dogs love a cute costume, not all do. Avoid outfits that restrict their movement or vision, and keep any accessories simple and comfortable.

🎃🐾 We'd love to see your spooky pet photos below, and let’s see those adorable costumes (if your dog loves them)! 👇

Stay safe and enjoy the night!

28/10/2024

MANTRAILING INTRODUCTION
We had a lovely day today with 6 dogs (4 collies and 2 springers) getting to have a go at Mantrailing and they all did brilliantly. They finished off the day with a blind trail with two turns and all managed it including little collie puppy Ollie. I think there might be a few tired doggies out there this evening! Well done to teams Willow, Ollie, Maple, Mellick, Luna and Bó

26/10/2024

Please share with anyone who would be interested 😊🐾

26/10/2024

I really appreciate it when people take the time to leave a review. Thanks to Andrea for this recent one. Not only does she come to lots of scentwork activities with her various dogs but she has also been good enough to go out of her way to bring some of the Mayo SPCA dogs to Mantrailing or classes too.

"Ciara is a wonderful trainer, really knowledgeable particularly on scent work. All six of our Collies have completed her Mantrailing intro and are working through the levels as well as learning tracking and participating in open search (photo of Thady, one of our rescues doing just that!). We volunteer at a local shelter and Ciara gives her time and expertise in the shape of puppy/training classes and also mantrailing to help the dogs find their forever homes. I've been training dogs for over 50 years and I can honestly say Ciara is one of the best trainers I've ever met"

18/10/2024

Is your pet worried about fireworks? 🐶 🐈 We have a range of calming products available for cats and dogs (both prescription drugs and over the counter products). Please contact us if you need some advice about how to keep your pet safe and happy during the fireworks 🎆 season.

Why Are Dogs Scared of Fireworks?
🐕 Dogs have heightened senses, and the sudden, loud noises of fireworks can be overwhelming.
🐕 They don’t understand the source of the noise, which can make them feel threatened.
🐕 The anxiety can lead to destructive behaviors, running away, or even health issues.

Creating a cosy den for your pet will help them feel safe during fireworks
- Use their crate, or a table and chairs, covered in blankets in a calm area of the house
- Fill the den with their bed, blankets or cushions
- Encourage them to spend time in the den with some super tasty treats.
- Include their favourite toys, chews or a puzzle feeder/lickimat to keep them occupied
- Make sure they have easy access to drinking water

More dogs go missing during fireworks season than any other time of year. It is a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped and wearing a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must include their owner’s name and address and Eircode. So make sure this is up to date and that your dog is securely tucked up at home.

18/10/2024

Great post from Mayo SPCA. I'm lucky where I am we shouldn't have this problem but if I did it would be the same as in a thunderstorm - off to bed, 3 dogs under the covers and some background music on.
If you do live in a problem area you can desensitise your dogs to the sounds of fireworks by finding a recording on YouTube or an app and playing it quietly in the background while gradually increasing the volume. Associate the noises with something positive like tasty food or playing with a favourite toy. You need time to do this though over at least a few weeks, it's not something that will work at the last minute.

Dogs and Halloween

Last night I was in bed with my dog Maisie nearby in her own bed when we heard the sound of bangers outside. Maisie immediately got up and jumped on my bed, shaking and whimpering.

At the next bang, she became very distressed and got as close to me as she could, sitting on my shoulder. Her breath came in quick pants and she was shaking. Each bang made her whine.

Thankfully after a short while they stopped. Maisie got hot and sat on the floor beside my bed. When I reached down to her she was still shaking. When we had heard nothing for an hour I took her outside, staying close to her just in case.

My garden is secure but what is secure to a dog on a regular day can change in the event of extreme fear. Fences that wouldn’t normally be scalable just might be. Fear and adrenaline give abilities that none of us might normally have. If a bang had sounded, I would have picked Maisie up and carried her back indoors.

The night was peaceful after that but this morning, she remains watchful. Sounds that wouldn’t normally bother her, like a siren, caused her to jump. All dog owners, especially this time of year, need to be aware of “trigger stacking”. Just because a stressful event has ended, the effects of it will still be present for a time. Add one or two more stressors to that in the same week and a dog’s demeanor and behaviour will change, just as our own would. When a dog behaves uncharacteristically for an apparently small trigger, it’s important to look at the days leading up it. We all have a “final straw” moment and know what that feels like.

Unfortunately October can be full of triggers for our dogs especially in the days leading up to Halloween. There’s bangers, fireworks, costumes, strange lights and sounds from decorations and of course, on the night itself, a constantly ringing doorbell and little people dressed in very strange costumes. (Side note-if you are thinking of dressing your dog in a costume, reread the above about triggers and have a think about what your dog might think of this plan). Just as people can have sensory differences and tolerances levels, so can your dog and sadly there is no one way to assure them that all of the above are harmless. To them, their world is suddenly filled with scary noises, colours and atmosphere.

Today I am going to make up an emergency kit for Maisie and any dog who finds this time stressful. It will have things that she loves like chews, kongs, a filled treat ball and be ready to be produced when any frightening sounds begin. I will take out a jumper that she loves and that gives her comfort. I will also do a recheck on the garden fences and gate to make sure that everything is as secure as I think it is. This should always be done before and during stormy weather.

The really important thing you can do for your dog in October is plan for the worst. A banger or firework can cause panic so intense that a dog who never bolts will run if they have an opportunity. You can ensure that your garden is secure and that you are outside with your dog at all times in the run up to Halloween. But, worst case scenario, they leave your property and run. What do you do?

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE YOUR NUMBER ON THEIR COLLAR AT ALL TIMES

Of course they should be chipped but the details on the collar is crucial. When your dog calms and stops running, they could be far from home. They are scared and traumatised. The first person they come to will immediately look at their collar. If your details are there, you and your dog are reunited quickly. If not, they are in a strange environment, maybe brought to a vet, all right and well meaning, but adding further trauma to their situation.

While you wait to hear that someone has found your dog, send their photo to local rescues and we will post it. Give the location and the time that the dog ran. Post on any local pages. If it comes into the next day, alert the dog warden, local radio, and flag their chip number. Sometimes a dog might lie low for a day or two before they are spotted.

Similarly if you find a dog at a time like this, be aware that they might be scared and do not chase them. Walk away and see if the dog follows you. Get some tempting food like warm chicken. Don’t make eye contact, just keep things calm. If the dog comes to you, check their collar. If there are no details, send the photo to rescue groups, dog warden, local pages and insist on proof of ownership before handing the dog over.

Finally, to anyone thinking about having fun with fireworks or bangers at this time of year, please please think about the distress it’s causing, to dogs, cats, farm animals, to wildlife, to people who find it frightening. There are so many other ways to enjoy this time of year.

18/10/2024

Spending the morning at Meet Mayo. If you are around come down and say Hi. I'll be here until 1pm.

14/10/2024

Congrats to Stu and his lovely dogs on their special awards and recognition. I really enjoyed meeting him and being lucky enough to spectate in his sessions at Opex run by Endeavour Canine.

12/10/2024

There are a couple of spaces left - find out more and book at www.bookwhen.com/OracleDogs

This might be the last one of the year so make sure you don't miss out!

We keep Mantrailing through the winter and night trails are loads of fun so it's still a good time to join us.

09/10/2024

Classes starting this Saturday at 11am
(Puppy classes at 10am)
For more information/booking go to
bookwhen.com/oracledogs

17/09/2024

Puppy Classes and Basic Obedience will be moving to Saturday mornings in October due to the darker evenings. They are now available to book along with the November dates on bookwhen.com/oracledogs
The next Mantrailing Introduction on the 20th October is available to book there too!

Positive Dog Training - classes, workshops and 1:1 Specialising in Scentwork - Mantrailing, Tracking, Open Search, Scent Detection and Trail Hunt International. Other fun workshops and activities including Fun Agility, Hoopers, Trick Training and more!

16/09/2024

Dave might be small but he is stunning. Who says you can't get good photos of black dogs? It's all about the light.

15/09/2024

Still learning new things. I love the tracking almost as much as I do the mantrailing. It's similar but different. A bit more compact and you don't need another person so it is easy for anyone to do. There's a lot of overlap as well so it was very interesting to see how they can be integrated yesterday at the Scent Imprint for Dogs Workshop with Elliot Connor and in a recent webinar by Wesley Visscher. I'm looking forward to finding out more about this method and how we can use it to help the mantrailing dogs become even better at what they do. It really makes a lot of sense.