Are Your Cairns Ready for New Year's Eve Fireworks?

Plan ahead so that you and your Cairns can enjoy New Year's Eve in spite of the fireworks!

We all want to keep our dogs safe and secure in stressful situations, and fireworks can scare them.  Some dogs will exhibit signs of fear that can include pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, trying to escape and/or barking.  Many dogs will actually injure themselves when trying to escape.  (I've even seen dogs that were hit by a car when they tried to flee from noises.)  What can you do to help keep your dog stay calm during the fireworks this weekend?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider not taking your dog to the fireworks display.  Make sure that your dog will be calm at home, or stay home with your dog during the fireworks.  Keep your dog confined in a comfortable location, if possible.  Walk your dog BEFORE the fireworks start.

2. Don't try too hard to reassure your dog during a fearful event with petting, soothing words, or extra attention.  This can sometimes exacerbate the problem by reinforcing your dog's fearful response.

3. Some dogs are very sensitive to people's moods and may be influenced by the way that you react to the noise.  It is best to act happy and upbeat or to redirect your dog's attention to some absorbing activity.

4. If you must leave your dog at home alone during the fireworks, consider what would make your dog most comfortable.  Bring your dog indoors.  Would he feel safest in a crate?  Try turning on the radio, television, fan or air conditioner as "white noise".  Make sure you provide a comfortable hiding place or "safe place" for your dog in case he is scared during the fireworks.

5. Pet anxiety studies have shown that music can have a calming effect on a stressed out pet.  I would recommend the Music My Pet CD.  This musical CD was created for the specific purpose of calming pets.  The classical music tracks were arranged to have a smooth soothing dynamic from beginning to end.  And the music is performed using only those instruments that have been proven to have a calming effect on pets (like the harp, flute and piano).  Try playing the CD before the fireworks begin to get your dog into a relaxed state, and continue playing it throughout the fireworks.

So, the best way to deal with this issue is to be prepared.  Before the fireworks begin, anticipate your dog's reaction to these loud noises.  Whenever possible try to avoid exposing your dog to fireworks.  If this is not possible, do everything that you can to make your dog feel more comfortable and secure.  Talk to your dog in a light, cheerful tone that sends a comforting message that the noise is no big deal.  Encourage your dog to find a quiet restful place to wait out the noise.

Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and take time to be sure that your pets do too!!

Are Your Cairns Ready for Fireworks?

Contributed by a CP Volunteer (originally posted 7/2/09)

Plan ahead so that you and your Cairns can enjoy the 4th in spite of the fireworks!

We all want to keep our dogs safe and secure in stressful situations, and fireworks can scare them.  Some dogs will exhibit signs of fear that can include pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, trying to escape and/or barking.  Many dogs will actually injure themselves when trying to escape.  (I've even seen dogs that were hit by a car when they tried to flee from noises.)  What can you do to help keep your dog stay calm during the fireworks this weekend?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider not taking your dog to the fireworks display.  Make sure that your dog will be calm at home, or stay home with your dog during the fireworks.  Keep your dog confined in a comfortable location, if possible.  Walk your dog BEFORE the fireworks start.

2. Don't try too hard to reassure your dog during a fearful event with petting, soothing words, or extra attention.  This can sometimes exacerbate the problem by reinforcing your dog's fearful response.

3. Some dogs are very sensitive to people's moods and may be influenced by the way that you react to the noise.  It is best to act happy and upbeat or to redirect your dog's attention to some absorbing activity.

4. If you must leave your dog at home alone during the fireworks, consider what would make your dog most comfortable.  Bring your dog indoors.  Would he feel safest in a crate?  Try turning on the radio, television, fan or air conditioner as "white noise".  Make sure you provide a comfortable hiding place or "safe place" for your dog in case he is scared during the fireworks.

5. Pet anxiety studies have shown that music can have a calming effect on a stressed out pet.  I would recommend the Music My Pet CD.  This musical CD was created for the specific purpose of calming pets.  The classical music tracks were arranged to have a smooth soothing dynamic from beginning to end.  And the music is performed using only those instruments that have been proven to have a calming effect on pets (like the harp, flute and piano).  Try playing the CD before the fireworks begin to get your dog into a relaxed state, and continue playing it throughout the fireworks.

So, the best way to deal with this issue is to be prepared.  Before the fireworks begin, anticipate your dog's reaction to these loud noises.  Whenever possible try to avoid exposing your dog to fireworks.  If this is not possible, do everything that you can to make your dog feel more comfortable and secure.  Talk to your dog in a light, cheerful tone that sends a comforting message that the noise is no big deal.  Encourage your dog to find a quiet restful place to wait out the noise.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July and take some time to be sure that your pets do too!!

Remember:  Safety first in all of your Summer activities!

Getting Ready for Fireworks!

Contributed by a CP Volunteer (originally posted 7/2/09)

Caruso's Mom & Dad plan ahead to keep him calm during stressful situations

We all want to keep our dogs safe and secure in stressful situations, and fireworks can scare them.  Some dogs will exhibit signs of fear that can include pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, trying to escape and/or barking.  Many dogs will actually injure themselves when trying to escape.  (I've even seen dogs that were hit by a car when they tried to flee from noises.)  What can you do to help keep your dog stay calm during the fireworks this weekend?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider not taking your dog to the fireworks display.  Make sure that your dog will be calm at home, or stay home with your dog during the fireworks.  Keep your dog confined in a comfortable location, if possible.  Walk your dog BEFORE the fireworks start.

2. Don't try too hard to reassure your dog during a fearful event with petting, soothing words, or extra attention.  This can sometimes exacerbate the problem by reinforcing your dog's fearful response.

3. Some dogs are very sensitive to people's moods and may be influenced by the way that you react to the noise.  It is best to act happy and upbeat or to redirect your dog's attention to some absorbing activity.

4. If you must leave your dog at home alone during the fireworks, consider what would make your dog most comfortable.  Bring your dog indoors.  Would he feel safest in a crate?  Try turning on the radio, television, fan or air conditioner as "white noise".  Make sure you provide a comfortable hiding place or "safe place" for your dog in case he is scared during the fireworks.

5. Pet anxiety studies have shown that music can have a calming effect on a stressed out pet.  I would recommend the Music My Pet CD.  This musical CD was created for the specific purpose of calming pets.  The classical music tracks were arranged to have a smooth soothing dynamic from beginning to end.  And the music is performed using only those instruments that have been proven to have a calming effect on pets (like the harp, flute and piano).  Try playing the CD before the fireworks begin to get your dog into a relaxed state, and continue playing it throughout the fireworks.

So, the best way to deal with this issue is to be prepared.  Before the fireworks begin, anticipate your dog's reaction to these loud noises.  Whenever possible try to avoid exposing your dog to fireworks.  If this is not possible, do everything that you can to make your dog feel more comfortable and secure.  Talk to your dog in a light, cheerful tone that sends a comforting message that the noise is no big deal.  Encourage your dog to find a quiet restful place to wait out the noise.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July and take some time to be sure that your pets do too!!

Jasper and Madison

Helping dogs cope with firework and thunderstorm phobias

By Karen Fazio/New Jersey Pets

One of the most devastating conditions a dog may suffer from is fear of loud sounds.

Pets suffering from this condition are classified as phobic. Most react to all loud sounds, however, sounds that have most impact on behavior are those associated with thunder storms and firework displays.

Many noise-phobic dogs also suffer from additional fear-related issues such as fear of strangers, new experiences, and inanimate objects. Veterinary behaviorists, such as Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, founder and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, often diagnose such dogs with Global Fear. These dogs, he explains, are caught up in a perpetual Bermuda triangle of fear.

Those suffering from global fear issues are often treated by some veterinary behaviorists with selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac, Zolof, Paxil. Others who have no fears other than those associated with thunderstorms and fireworks are often treated with a short-acting sedative to help them cope during the often anticipated and brief event.

There are many wonderful non-medical alternatives for helping a dog cope with firework and thunderstorm phobias. Some include:

Sit Out the Firework Display: An owner can decline invitations to firework displays in lieu of keeping their dog company.

Increase Energy Output: Exercise the dog and physically tucker him or her out an hour or so prior to a sound event. A tired dog has less energy to to devote to stress.

Relocate the Dog: Provide an alternative location for the dog, such as a friend or family member's home where no firework displays are planned.

Create a Safe Room: Provide the dog with a carpeted room free of windows, or windows that are closed. Play music or leave the television on as a distraction. One can hang bedsheets or blankets on the walls for extra noise insulation.

Block Out Scary Visuals: Draw down shades or blinds to block out frightening flashes of light, which often serve as predictors to the dog that scary sounds will soon follow.

Fit the Dog with a Thundershirt: A Thundershirt replicates the sensation of swaddling, which is a technique often used for calming newborn infants in nurseries. Many have found swaddling calms dogs equally as well.

Help Soothe the Dog's Fears: Contrary to popular belief, soothing a fearful dog does not encourage fearful behavior. If the dog responds to it then you're doing the right thing. If it doesn't, then it simply didn't work.