How do Thunderstorms & Fireworks affect your dog?

 

 

 

This time of year dogs can be thoroughly spooked by thunder or fireworks. You might like to consider having an app to alert your mob phone of severe weather warnings. This way you’ll have extra time to prepare and try to move your dog inside.

New years eve is a little easier to forecast. Again, keeping pets inside is usually the best way to keep dogs safe.

There are also products on the market to assist you in helping desensitize your dog to thunder and loud noises. Thundershirts work on the principle that pressure has a calming effect on dogs and humans alike. There are CD’s with recordings of a multitude of sounds, natural and engineered. Addressing these types of issues are often more involved than just playing a sound track in the background of e.g. thunder at other times. It’s ok to let your dog be close to you if he is stressed by noise by please don’t fuss over him, pet him whilst he is in a stressed state as this can compound his fears.

Make sure your dog wears identification and always have a pic of her available in case she does get out. One year we had a soaked-to-the-skin retriever turn up at the front door during a storm. She came in and paced until she fell asleep on the kitchen floor. She wasn’t wearing any tags and it was a Saturday night. The next day my cousin took her for a walk in the local area and thankfully her owner spotted her. Please report missing/found animals to your local shelters and the RSPCA (1300 363 736). Consider using a local facebook page to advertise as many people will check those first. However, if you have found a dog avoid giving every detail. The true owner should be able to describe the dog in great detail and bring some proof of ownership.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)