I thought I would post a link to this excellent blog post from my friend Lizi, the canine dog behaviour psychologist at Canine Mind, who offers lots of brilliant suggestions to help fearful pets through fireworks time.
There’s a full list of DOs and DON’Ts on the link above, with suggestions such as drug-free remedies, body wraps/t-shirts, massage and T-Touch.
Lizi makes the great point that while owners are often told not to reassure their dogs …
… DON’T ignore your dog if it comes to you. Despite the all too common advice to ignore a dog during fear-inducing events, there is in fact absolutely NO evidence that reassuring a fearful dog encourages or reinforces fearful behaviour. Be happy that your dog views you as its safe haven and give it some constructive touch such as ear T-Touch or gentle but firm massage to the head, neck, shoulders and back.
Here’s hoping the Thundershirt will help this year …
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