Bonfire Night Canine Safety Tips (& Tuesday's Tails)

Now I was thinking of posting this on Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) (tomorrow) itself, however I decided that I would post it today, therefore giving you pet mums and dads enough time to read, think, and take action beforehand. Tomorrow, the fireworks will definitely be at their highest, they are every year for an obvious reason! But that's not always a good thing when it comes to us pet parents...

This week, I almost guarantee that most of you out there are fretting like crazy over fireworks. As in, not that we humans don't pleasure their fantastic booms and sparks of glorious light, 'evaporating' into the black sky on the 5th of November each year. No, its not that at all, fellows. Its our pets, mostly dogs, that we worry about!

Whatever reaction your dog has on fireworks (for me with Earl, he attempts to attack the fireworks by lunging on his lead, on his hind legs, barking with hopeful triumph. He is not scared, doesn't hide, or cower. He is, in fact, quite the opposite. And what about Ethel, you wonder? Well, this is her first fireworks time. She will be experiencing them for the first times in her life. And I have to ensure this will be a positive and confident experience!), its always at least a tad stressful (sorry for the long brackets, BOL!). So we have made an informative posts, highlighting the possible reactions of dogs with fireworks, plus methods for comforting your dog's firework fears/reactions, and how to make sure your new dog/puppy who has never experienced them before gets a good start.

Reaction number 1 (usually most common reaction in dogs) - Fear

Fearfulness when fireworks strike is common in dogs. Its not nice to experience a dog who is fearful, and this is why a lot of owners hate it. Common reactions from a fearful dog is cowering in corners, hiding, crying, sometimes destructive behaviours, squishing up to owner and/or following owner round, panting, shaking, pacing.

Reaction number 2 - Flight

This may sound obscure, however, many dogs end up running away in sheer panic over fireworks, and end up desperately lost. Some may run and run and run. This is the reaction - running, trying to get away from the source of fear, the fireworks. If the dog keeps hearing the banging, he/she may continue running until he/she feels safe again. Then they're just about hopelessly lost. This is why many vets, brands, etc often advertise microchipping around this time of year more so than other times - to give owners a better chance of being reunited with their dog after getting lost running from those pesky but frequent booms and crackles… P.S. If your pet isn't already microchipped, talk to your vet and get it arranged for the best chance of you being reunited if the unthinkable happens and you do loose your pet out in the big wide world, lost as to where he is.

Reaction number 3 - Aggression

I'm at loss of a softer word for this type of reaction. Basically, dogs who become 'aggressive' when hearing fireworks panic, are inside actually fearful of the sudden clap, therefore go straight to trying to rid the fireworks by lunging, snarling, barking. 

So how can we help our dogs with any sort of negative reaction to fireworks cope????

This is one of the most frequently, desperately asked questions at this time of year for dog owners, and its one that many helpful people attempt to answer. I shall follow in their footsteps…

Build a cosy, comforting den, and provide lasting entertainment

If your dog already has a crate/bed, I suggest you use this to your advantage. Place the crate/bed into a quite, warm place free from drafts making sure that the room the den is located has no windows open, curtains closed, and is completely free from any reminder of fireworks outside. Turn on the TV/radio loud enough not to be uncomfortably ridiculous in an attempt to block out the sound of fireworks outside. If possible, the destination of the den should be more into the middle of your house therefore avoiding noises from windows seeping through. Also, stuff your pup a Kong, provide plenty of chews, and basically make your dog want to be there so that they find it pleasurable and calm. You could also include a water bowl for drinks, as if your dog is stressed out beforehand and panting, drinking will help cool him/her down. If you don't have room, you can buy lightweight, attachable bowls for the bars of the crate.

You can still make a den without a crate - say, bedding and chews under a human bed as one suggestion.

Using the den - and not panicking when...

…a firework goes off! If it is a fireworks heavy evening/there is a display you know of taking place near you/you are holding a bonfire night party including the setting off of fireworks, take your dog to his/her den in advanced and sit with him/her, getting him/her comfortable, turning TV/radio on loud and shutting windows and curtains. This way, your dog will already be prepared for the fireworks, and all being great, won't even know they happened in the first place!

Try not to panic if you are caught out, your dog out of the den, and fireworks start going off. Ignore any reactions and call your dog calmly and confidently to the den. Place him in with chews, and take out the measures to avoid fireworks being seen/heard/experienced at all in the room as much as possible.

Remember, fussing over your dog whilst he is reacting negatively to fireworks will just aggravate the situation. If you are calm, he will be more so. Dogs pick up on your feelings and emotions. If you stress out, your dog will be thinking 'oh no, the master is worried, and is sending out stressed vibes - which must mean that there sure is something to fret over massively!!'. Can you see how this will just make it all worse? So keep it cool, shrug it off, use our tips as best you can, and by doing so, you will really be comforting your dog 100% in more important ways, and less temporarily detrimental ways than bags of fuss.

Wish us future luck with little Ethy - as it seems to, delightfully, be going so far, Ethel isn't a dog to be afraid easily - she just throws herself into things and comes out a' waggin'! Hence her prize for waggiest tail on Sunday!! She really is a tough little thing. She's brave and just dives straight into things. I'm very proud of my little, hairy, fun and secure tomboy pup!!!!! She really is a brave girl already, at still such a young age. Bless her little hairy paws!!!

Best of luck with your own furry friends. Now, I have a curiosity question…

How (do)oes your dog(s) react to fireworks, if at all?

Let peace be with your four-legged besties this fireworks time of year.

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We're also taking part in Tuesday's Tails - today, we have a lovely little Border Terrier cross for you to rest your eyes on and melt your heart today…

At approximately 6 years and 11 months old, male Border Terrier Cross Bramble is tan in colour and is about the size of an average Jack Russell Terrier, given up by his owners due to changes in personal circumstances, and not enough time being able to be given to him as required due to this.

He has lived with other dogs and children in a family environment before.

He loves people and wants to be with them all day long!! He is a bouncy boy who is looking for someone who can spend plenty of lovely time with him, as he likes long walks, but can be boisterous when first put on the lead. However, once you give him time to expel his energy, he soon calms down again. 

He needs a well fenced, high fenced garden well embedded into the ground so he cannot get over or underneath. 

His health is good, and he is fully vaccinated and vet checked.

He is currently located in East Sussex, UK, but a loving home can come from absolutely anywhere… And you'll be smitten when you see the pics!

Photos uploaded onto Pets4Homes by a private advertiser.

BEFORE BUYING OR ADOPTING AN ANIMAL, BE SURE TO READ THE PETS4HOMES ADVICE ON BRINGING ON A NEW PET TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING SO RESPONSIBLY.

*By showing dogs in need of adoption, Earl's World! is joining forces to help find dogs needing homes new homes. We only write what we know is true via our reliable sources. Everything is in 100% good will, and we push you to buy/adopt responsibly. It is absolutely in YOUR hands if you want to find out more about the dogs we include for Tuesday's Tails, and act RESPONSIBLY from there. It is up to YOU entirely.

We're delighted to be participating in the Tuesday's Tails Blog Hop hosted very kindly by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs - thanks so much again, guys!