How does your dog cope with firework season?
My dogs are fortunately OK as I have worked to make sure that is the case.
But nonetheless I still have a plan in place.
So first off a nice walk with a good lot of sniffing. To help keep a dog calm both physical and mental exercise is necessary. I love scentwork as not only is it physical but it's mentally stimulating. When dogs do a high level of physical activity their body has lots of adrenaline so although it means they might have run around a lot they are still on the alert when they get home so scentwork is ideal - its the canine equivalent to social media.
So our walk will initially be lots of off lead followed by some quieter on lead exercise with the emphasis on sniffing. I will then do an extra session in the garden and incorporate some hidden treats for them to sniff out as well.
Sleep: Letting them chill out after a walk is so crucial as they will have been using their little grey cells alot with all that sniffing. Don’t keep them awake in the mistaken hope it will be better in the evening - think how grouchy you get on little sleep. They will then feel calmer later on.
Dinner Time:
Dinner will be lots of calming food and although some in the bowl also portioned into kongs and lick mats for later.
Games Time:
I’ve been making lots of fun treats for the gang as I like to make this a special evening for us all. So we have a wide assortment of goodies from liver fudge, peanut butter biscuits, carrot, apple etc.
Diffusing Essential Oils
Calming diffuser blends to help with chilling - we always end up having an early night lol/
Ambient Sounds.
Hopefully by this time your dog is more than ready for cuddles and chilling. It might be useful to turn up the volume of normal household items if they are used to them. Classic FM is a great choice, I also like Tibetan Singing Bowls too and Drumming for mine.
If your dog is still alert try some enrichment game - get those lickmats out and kongs. Licking is soothing for dogs so can be a helpful outlet for their anxiety. If too anxious to eat then leave them be.
Get their favourite toy out and play with it so that they can really engage and redirect their mind to that.
Work on calming games. I like hand touch and play bow, also nose targeting to a balls eye and lots of scent work too with pipes, snuffle mats and hidden things.
Don’t forget to let them retreat into a den if they want - create a comfy place with their bedding favourite toy and maybe a kong and lick mat. If they need cuddles - cuddle them - you are not reinforcing their fear by being comforting.