Q: With
bonfire night approaching quickly have you any tips for helping my 9
year old border collie/spaniel cross cope with the sound of fireworks? We keep him
indoors, but the noise has him shaking uncontrollably.
A: Keep him indoors
during the evenings. Make sure he has a microchip for identification,
wears a collar and ID tag at all times, and give him plenty of
exercise during the day.
Back at home, give him
a large high carbohydrate meal before the fireworks are likely to
start, and provide him with a comfortable place to hide away, such as
under furniture or even in a cupboard. Close all windows and doors,
draw the curtains and turn on some music to muffle the noise outside.
Remember the golden
rule of training: you reward with your attention the behaviour you
want to encourage, and make every attempt to 'reward' undesireable behaviour by ignoring it.
So when he's a gibbering wreck as yet another
rocket goes off in your show-off neighbour's garden, do not
sweep him up in your arms and tell him what a good boy he is. You can
of course allow him to come to you for comfort.
Do not even
consider punishing him for his fear.
See if you can distract
him with games or even a few training exercises and strongly reward
any more normal interaction with you. Give him problem solving toys
like a Kong stuffed with tasty food. Consider inviting one of his
braver buddies round for a sleepover, invest in an Adaptil pheromone
diffuser and a 'Sounds Scary' noise phobia CD
(www.soundtherapy4pets.com)
well in advance.
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