Fireworks and your Dog

Some dogs just can't seem to tolerate the sound of fireworks, the reason? Could be a deep seated instinct to be afraid and run from loud bangs, some dogs just go into a somewhat panic attack.

Trembling, salivating at the mouth, trying to run away from the noise, nothing can console them, this is hard to watch in the home and is always a worry that a firework goes off unexpectedly when out walking.  Around bonfire night if your dog reacts in this manner you would do better keeping the lead on at all times.  One of my own dogs, Flynn the Bearded Collie reacts in this manner, and has done since she first ever heard a firework.  I took her out at 1am in the morning to releive herself after waiting a couple of hours for the fireworks to cease, and one went off, she ran...up the woods in the pitch black, we searched for ages with torches and eventually found the wee soul but if another had gone she would have quite probably ran and got herself lost.  It was a very scary experience.

A cage or dog cray covered over with a blanket gives a secure "hiding place" for your dog. Lavendar essential oils are also a good calming herb, burned in an oil burner, sprinkled over the bed. Try not to make a big fuss and keep as calm as possible. Kalms have been known to help, a couple a few hours before Guy Fawkes night. DAP Dog Appeasing Pheromone products are fairly popular,

D.A.P. is a synthetic copy of a dog's naturally occurring appeasing pheromones from the lactating female. The DAP Diffuser works like a plug in air freshener, continuously releasing the odourless natural pheromone into the dogs environment, helping to make it feel safe and calm.

Some people swear by this form of stress relief to their dogs and others dont see the benefit at all.