01/01/2019
Struggled with fireworks last night?
Reminder of last yrs post.
Surviving Fireworks and Thunderstorms.
Does your dog become a gibbering slobbering wreck when it comes to storms and fireworks? Nothing seems to help and seeing your beloved pooch going through this breaks your heart!
Being pro-active and working with your dog you CAN get your dog past this, however it does take dedication on the owners part.
The simple mathematics of the exercises is to build optimism and Noises = calm.
Build optimism generally:
Find a container that your dog can get at least head and shoulders into, ideally step into - ideas include a box/ plastic container, kids empty sand pit/bath tub. Start with scattering some treats or kibble in the bottom. Once they are confident getting in and out and rummaging for their food add in something they have to move around in order to find the food. Try a couple of toilet roll inners or empty yogurt pots or drink bottles to start with. Over a period of time gradually build up the number of objects in the container to make it harder. Swap the containers around for fun and take it out and about with you to lots of different locations.
Play the noisy retrieve game! Great for dogs that love to retrieve so instead of playing with tennis balls and toys on the grass, use objects and surfaces that would make a bit of a noise. Again, start very gently, with a wooden spoon dropped from 2 inches off the ground onto a tea towel on the floor. Slowly build up the distance you toss the object and chang the objects (plastic lids, cutlery, tubs, tin cans) and the floor surface (carpet, tea towel, kitchen floor tiles, concrete).
If your dog doesn't like to retrieve (or even if they do) play this one for variety. Hide a piece of food in a container and let them knock the container over to find the food. Again, start on a cushioned surface with just one object. Build up the number and types of containers and the surface you play on.
Noises = calm
Fill kongs, tracheas, lickimats, or anything that can be chewed and/or licked over a period of time with yummy, high value food. Make sure your dog is tucking in well before playing some random sounds (not fireworks/thunder or startling noises) at a very low volume. You tube is a fantastic source but make sure you vet the sounds out of the dogs hearing before you play to your dog. Five seconds may be enough to begin with and at a volume that is undetectable to the human ear (it might even have to be played in a different room). Change the type of noise every day and gradually increase the volume. Go very slowly, over a period of months is better than rushing and undoing all your hard work.
Once you are seeing consistently calm behaviour from your dog with little or no reaction to random noises, swap to recordings of gunfire or thunder/ fireworks. You can buy downloads or CDs designed for the purpose or find on You Tube. Start right back at basics like you did with random noises. Set the volume so low that you can't hear it and for just a few seconds. Over a period of time gradually increase the volume or the time but never increase both at the same training session. Make sure that you regularly make sessions easier by reducing the volume and/or time.
