How To Keep Your Dog Safe During The Diwali Celebrations
In my life I have seen many "stray" dogs the morning after the heavy fireworks nights. According to a research "missing dog" reports go up by at least by 40% during the fireworks seasons. This is one of the reasons social activists always protest against the use of fireworks in celebrations. I don't think that should be the case. People should have freedom of culture. But people need to express their culture responsibly. By that I mean dogs should not be negatively impacted by our cultural celebrations.
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I've been doing some extensive reading on these topics and I found out that there are long term ways of managing the emotional and physical safety of our pets, especially dogs, during fireworks seasons.
1. First, think about your dog’s environment. Dogs need a place where they can feel safe and secure and you can create this in a number of ways. The use of dog appeasing pheromones has been proven to reduce anxiety in dogs and can help create a safe environment. You can also create a den in your house which is a sheltered, quiet space for your dog that they can access whenever they want. In addition to this, when there are fireworks, ensure your dog is fed and walked before dark. Ensure the television or radio is turned on as a comforting distraction and shut the curtains to limit the noise and lights from the fireworks.
In short, keep your dog indoors in a quiet and familiar room where the sounds are not loud. The windows must be shut and curtains drawn to restrict sounds and mask flashes from the fireworks.
2. Second, and this is where it is best to start with puppies, introduce them to the sounds of fireworks in a controlled, safe way. You can do this through YouTube, but carefully control the volume. Initially, put the volume on the lowest setting, ensuring that your dog notices the sound but is not frightened by it.
At this point, either feed your dog their favourite food or play their favourite game. You want to keep the session short and fun – the idea is to change how your dog feels when they hear fireworks. Over time, you can gradually increase the volume of the video– but don’t rush this phase, remember you only want them to notice the sound.
3. Finally, it is worth remembering that you cannot reinforce fear. If your dog is frightened and comes to you for comfort, comfort them. Tell them they are amazing, look after them and remain your cheerful, relaxed self. After putting all that effort and you notice your dog still fears fireworks you will be tempted to give up. Please don't. Never scold your dog even when he's exremely frightened. Calm him down and behave in a normal way. Once he settles down reward him with a treat.
If your dog’s fear of fireworks is particularly bad, please seek the advice of a qualified animal behaviorist who will be able to tailor a programme specifically to help your dog, in conjunction with your vet.
I hope this helps! Celebrate responsibly! 🐩🐈