For pet owners, making sure their dog is as safe and calm as possible is always of the utmost importance – with those concerns increasing tenfold in the run-up to Halloween. Nice to look at, fireworks tend to cause more harm than good where pets are involved but there are a few steps you can take to make sure your furry friend is as comfortable as can.
Having built a global reputation in breeding and training government used specialist detective dogs, Chris Hallon is a well-respected expert in his field. Sharing his top tips on keeping pooches calm when there are fireworks, here’s what he had to say:
“Halloween anxiety in dogs in a very real scenario and although you’ll know when your dog is scared, unhappy or nervous, knowing how to handle it in the moment, or avoid it altogether is key. Planning ahead should make for a relaxing period, for you and your dog.
“Bringing your dog for a longer walk than usual early evening or late afternoon will help them to relax as much as possible, and hopefully mean they are a little bit less angsty if the evening turns out to be full of loud noises such as fireworks. As we know though, fireworks and other loud noises can come unexpectedly at this time of year, so it’s worthwhile keeping your dog on its lead throughout your walk.
“If fireworks do go off when you’re at home, keeping your dog away from the noise in the quietest part of the house might seem like the practical option, but we can underestimate just how scary fireworks can be to dogs. I suggest keeping them close, giving them their favourite toys to keep them as distracted as possible and comforting them with affection as they need it. A handy trick is to turn on music or the TV to try and drown out the noise as much as possible.
“Depending on their personality, some dogs will take comfort in hiding behind the sofa or a nook in the room. If you think from past experiences that this might be something your dog will do, it’s worth creating a den for a few days before so they know they have somewhere to go if they feel worried. Putting a kid-style tepee in the room where you’ll be, or even a cardboard box, can do the trick.
“Curiosity and worry reveal themselves very differently in different dogs. If your dog has heard a noise and is barking in response, don’t rile them more or give them additional cause for concern by responding too much to this. Similarly, a little whimper here and there is fine. However, excessive panting, shaking and pacing are all signs that an activity outside is affecting your dog seriously.”
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The face behind Ireland’s first dog food subscription company, Werewolf Food, Chris is also giving dog owners free treats this Halloween to help keep pooches happy.
