How can I help my dog on Bonfire Night?

As Bonfire night is fast approaching, with fireworks going off in the night sky now is the time to think about how you can help you dogs if they suffer from noise anxiety.

The first step is to understand noise phobia/anxiety in dogs, their behaviour can manifest in different ways

• Panic and Fear: Shaking, whimpering, hiding, or seeking constant comfort.

• Escape Behaviour: Trying to run away or find a safe place, which may result in injury.

• Restlessness: Pacing or inability to settle.

• Destructive Behaviour: Chewing or destroying objects out of anxiety.

Any of these reactions can happen and they stem from a dog's natural instinct. In the wild, a loud noise would often signal danger, prompting either a 'fight or flight' response. In our modern world, this translates to the distressed behaviours many owners witness during firework events.

I know that you will feel helpless when your dogs are scared, whimpering and hiding and feel awful that you cannot help.

Well you will be pleased to know that there are steps you can take to try to re direct their focus during firework time, this can include re conditioning them during these times, giving them natural supplements to help them relax, burning pet friendly anxiety wax melts or a combination of all 3.

Reconditioning isn’t as hard as it sounds, currently your dog is super focused on a sound or sounds that scare them, and it means a negative reaction, we just need to change this to a positive one and the way to do this is distract them with treats that they absolutely love.

For fireworks, you would need to find a video of firework sounds and then set this going on the lowest level whilst you get their dinner ready. At this low level they will barely hear it, so each day after you would do exactly the same apart from you would turn it up slightly every day until you get to bonfire night and the sound of the fireworks means that its dinner time.

You could do this with a frozen kong.  You could fill this with different things including Meat Pate. This would need to be started with a good few weeks before bonfire night.

So you would turn the noise on slightly and while the dog is distracted call them and give them the kong and turn the noise up slightly but not too much that the dog gets scared. You would then need to practise this every week until Bonfire night, turn the noise up slightly every time and continue with the kong, they will then recognised the fireworks noise and realise that they are going to have a frozen kong – so they now have a positive reaction to the fireworks rather than the negative one.

Also, to aid with the above there are natural supplement available which will help to relax your dogs. Proflax Omega Calm is ideal for dogs that have high levels of anxiety or noise phobias, and Proflax Calm and Collected is ideal for the dogs that have low levels of anxiety.

Proxlax Omega Calm consists of 75% food-grade Atlantic salmon oil and 25% herbal tincture blend consisting of the following herbs –

Withania: A wonderful adaptogenic herb which helps to help promote a sense of balance and calmness. Helps to keep the nervous system in good repair helping to maintain normal cognitive function. A brilliant antioxidant. Supports a healthy immune system. Contains iron.

Valerian: A potent calming herb which can help to keep the sleep-wake cycle in good order, as well as helping to keep stress and nervousness at bay. It also helps to keep smooth muscles relaxed. Contains calcium, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium and manganese.

Bacopa: A brilliant adaptogen to help keep your dog calm and relaxed and decrease their response to stress. Wonderful at helping your dog to maintain their focus and concentration. Supports good memory function and helps to keep the immune system healthy.

Passionflower: A calming and soothing herb which can help to stave off anxiety and improve sleep. A rich source of minerals and vitamins.

Lemon Balm: A mothering type of herb that offers calming benefits and helps to support optimal brain function. This combination can help nervous dogs to concentrate and engage more, as well as help them keep relaxed.

Avena Sativa: A nervine herb which helps to keep the nervous system healthy. Helps to maintain optimal cognitive function. A fantastic antioxidant. Contains manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and E.

Proflax Calm and Collected consists of 75% pure cold pressed flaxseed oil and 25% herbal tincture blend consisting of the following herbs –

Skullcap: Relaxing & calming. A natural antioxidant. Detoxifying

Withania: An adaptogenic herb that supports flexibility/mobility and promotes calmness. A natural antioxidant. Contains sodium and iron

Chamomile: Relaxing, calming and soothing. Aids digestion. A good source of zinc, iron, and selenium.

Astragalus: An adaptogenic herb that supports good energy/stamina & supports a healthy metabolism. Contains flavonoids and polysaccharides.

Turmeric: Contains a mix of phenolics known as curcumin. A rich source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, niacin, potassium and zinc and a powerful antioxidant. Aids digestion supports cardio function. Cleansing

Gotu Kola: Adaptogen. Cleansing, aids circulation. Supports a healthy nervous system, veins & blood vessels. Contains calcium, manganese, potassium, selenium, zinc, vitamins C and B.

Ginger: Supports a healthy circulatory system. Supports joint health and aids bone density. Contains vitamins B5 and B6, potassium and manganese.

Liquorice root: An adaptogenic herb that supports the immune system, respiratory and digestive systems. Makes the whole formula taste great!

Dorwest Valerian Compound for dogs and cats helps your stressed, hyperactive, or anxious pet feel calm and relaxed with this fast-acting Valerian Compound for dogs and cats. Made with pure herbal extracts in liquid form, this calming aid works within 30 minutes and lasts up to two hours.

Easy to administer, it can be dropped directly into your pet’s mouth, added to food, or even sprinkled onto bedding, providing instant relief without causing drowsiness. Its appealing scent makes it especially popular with cats, so even the fussiest pets will find it soothing.

Dorwest Skullcap & Valerian Tablets for Dogs and Cats are specially formulated to naturally calm your pet without causing drowsiness or muscle weakness. These tablets are trusted by agility and show dog owners who need their pets to stay calm yet alert, and they’re ideal for any dog or cat experiencing stress, fear, or anxiety.

To aid these methods, the last thing to do would be to burn some pet friendly anxiety wax melts like the Goodbye Anxiety Wax Melt which has the floral notes of lavender teamed with the warm anchor of cedarwood is a winning combination.

• The benefits of the pet friendly wax melts are - Reduces stress & anxiety in both dogs & humans

• Alleviates headaches (the intensity & frequency)

• Ensures a relaxing environment for anxious or nervous dogs, perfect to have burning during fireworks on the lead up to Christmas & New Year

• Can reduce nervousness & depression/low mood for us hoomans

• Support in reducing mild insomnia & maintaining a healthy sleep schedule (which in turn boosts your immune system)

• Eases PMS.... yes ladies!

• Cedarwood provides mental clarity, deodorises those doggie smells, decreases hyperactivity and eases tension