Caring For Your Dog During Diwali

Pet Care

oi-Staff

By Super

Tuesday, October 21, 2014, 14:35

Yes, your happy go lucky pet could be trembling shaking and barking more during the coming Diwali celebrations at your home. All these and more are the signs that clearly communicate that your Dog could well be scared during the fireworks. Signs of stress or fear may include shaking, trembling, barking, howling, excessive drooling or hiding when fireworks are being let off.

Dog Care: The best ways to prevent problems

1. As part of your dog care, make sure that your dog is well socialised as a puppy, allowing him to hear lots of different sounds and have lots of different experiences, always in a positive way. This will help to prevent the problem in the first place. However, some dogs will still develop fears of fireworks and so it is up to their owners to ensure they do everything they can to make their dog feel safe and secure (good dog safety) when fireworks are being let off.
2. However, with Diwali celebrations just round the corner there is hardly any time to help solve problems related to fear of fireworks as treatment programmes require lots of time and patience and may take many months to effectively complete. There are a number of things you can do to help your dog cope with fireworks going off and minimise how scary the situation may be to him

According to Dr. Kallahalli Umesh, Waltham Scientific Communication Manager, South Asia, Mars India, “Diwali is a crucial time when our pets get a bit confused with the sound and light changes happening in the surroundings. As we make our kids understand the new activities around them, same goes with our pets also. We need to help our pets to be comfortable with these changes and get rid of their fear."

Tackling Fear Of Fireworks In Dogs:
A few tips to help your dog cope with fireworks

1. Take your dog for a good walk during the day before fireworks start being let off.
2. Keep your dog inside when fireworks are going off. Never walk him or leave him outside when fireworks are going off.
3. Keep windows shut and curtains drawn to mask sounds and flashes from fireworks
4. Turn up the volume on the television or radio to help mask the sounds of fireworks. This is best dog care tip.
5. Keep your dog distracted by playing with him or giving treats like Pedigree or Dentastix.
6. Do not comfort your dog if he is showing fearful behaviour as this may actually reinforce the behaviour. Act normally, as if there is nothing at all to be afraid of and reward your dog when he is calm and not looking afraid.
7. Care your dog at the moment, never punish him for being afraid.
8. Provide your dog with a suitable safe place where he can hide and do not disturb him when he goes into this area.