The Resurrection service is approaching, and most pet guardians are concerned about how their pets might react to the noises on the night of the Resurrection.
Fear of sounds from firecrackers, fireworks, loud bangers, and gunshots is a common phenomenon observed in a large percentage of both dogs and cats. It can develop after trauma, due to a lack of familiarity, or because of heredity.
Symptoms vary depending on the sensitivity of each animal and can include trembling, drooling, rapid heartbeat, tail tucking, hiding, attempts to escape, and even vomiting or diarrhea.
For this reason, keeping an animal outdoors, even if it is tethered, is strongly discouraged. It can easily cause the animal to flee and get injured or to be strangled by its chain.
See some tips that will help you take the appropriate measures to make the night of the Resurrection as painless as possible for your pet.
Do not take your dog with you to the Resurrection service. Even if he isn’t afraid of the noises, the level of noise at that moment is such that he will most likely develop a permanent phobia.
Make sure he is taken for a walk early, before the Resurrection service, so he can relieve himself and eat.
Choose a room where you will securely close the doors, windows, and shutters, and where the animal will remain under the supervision of an adult.
Turn on the radio or television loudly enough to cover the sounds of the fireworks. You can also play relaxing music for dogs from YouTube.
In the room, you can place a dog pheromone diffuser. Pheromones are a product that helps in the prevention and protection against anxiety and uncertainty in puppies and adult dogs.
You can give him (even preventively) Rescue Remedy. This is a Bach Flower Remedy that helps combat anxiety.
You can apply an anti-stress ampoule. They take effect within an hour of application and are placed between the animal’s ears.
You can put a ThunderShirt on him (a special garment for combating anxiety in dogs). However, it requires gradual application and acclimatization.
While the noises of the Resurrection are happening, if you see that he is scared, you can try to distract him with his favorite toy, a chew bone from a pet shop, and basic obedience exercises.
In the room, make sure the animal’s crate is available so he can go inside if he wants. If you don’t have a crate, there should be a bed or a table under which he can hide. Let him stay there as long as he wants and do not force him to come out.
Remain calm, even when the dog seems particularly anxious. However, you can pet him to reassure him. Petting produces endorphins, which cause a reduction in anxiety, and is not a reinforcement of fear.
Do not use violence, shouting, threats, or punishment. Things will only get worse.
If you know your dog is afraid of loud bangers and bells, you can, under the guidance of a veterinarian, give him some medication beforehand (an anxiolytic, a sedative, or even cannabidiol oil). Here I must note that administering medication without a doctor’s advice (and in this case, a specialist in behavior) is not permitted. Doing so can put the animal’s life at serious risk.
Do not force the animal out for a walk; let him calm down.
If for some reason you are outside, make sure the collar and harness are properly fitted, and keep the animal held close to you. If he gets away from you, he is at risk of getting injured while running, or you could lose him completely.
It is extremely useful, before Easter arrives, to have started the process of positive reinforcement desensitization with a certified positive reinforcement trainer. If there is no progress, you should contact a veterinarian specialized in behavior in order to get the appropriate medical treatment. However, I must stress that NOT all veterinarians are specialized in behavior, so it is correct to approach the appropriate ones and not just any one we have in mind. In any case, remember that addressing dogs’ fear of loud noises is not easy or quick. It will require a lot of work and patience on your part.
Finally, let me remind you that our animals must have an ID tag with our phone number and a microchip.
Giorgis Taxideftis
