Infographic: Looking Out for Your Dog During July Fireworks

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Dogs and Fireworks: Basically, they don’t mix.

With their sensitive hearing, the intense noise of fireworks can cause many pets to panic and anxious ones have an even harder time. Please keep your pets safe in the coming days because the stats are alarming.

Missing Pets Skyrocket from July 4-6

There's a 30-60% increase in lost pets July 4-6.

“ July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters, as companion animals that fled in fright the night before are found miles from their homes, disoriented and exhausted. Anxious families often find themselves searching the streets and shelters looking for a treasured family member whose fear drove him to jump a high fence or break his leash or chain.” – American Humane Association

Sources: http://www.petamberalert.com/blog/july-4th-fireworks-keeping-your-pet-safe/ and http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/holiday-issues.html#fireworks

Only 14% of lost pets are reunited with their owners.

Source: http://www.petamberalert.com/blog/july-4th-fireworks-keeping-your-pet-safe/ 

Make sure your dog has proper I.D.

Your pets should wear I.D. with their name and your current phone number. Also consider microchipping as a form of permanent I.D. Even if your pet loses their tag, shelters and vets can scan for a microchip and facilitate a happy reunion.

50% of dogs have a fear of loud noises.

Fireworks were reported (in 83% of those dogs) to cause fearful behaviors. This is more than any other loud noise (e.g. thunderstorms, though they are #2 on the list).

Only 4% of dogs who develop a sound phobia improve without help.

Pets can become sound sensitive even if they haven’t previously reacted to noise. Once a dog is “exposed” and develops fear, spontaneous recovery is very rare. Keep your dogs indoors on firework nights. This will limit their noise exposure—and they’ll find a safe, familiar place comforting.

sources: http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232713012401&mode=prd and http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicyStatements/ManagementandTreatmentofFireworkPhobias/tabid/495/Default.aspx

Common anxious reactions to loud noises

• Barking
• Hiding
• Trembling/Shaking
• Seeking out People
• Escape
• Panting
• Pacing
• Destructive Behavior
• Peeing or Defecating
• Howling
• Running/Fleeing
• Whining
• Salivating

In studies, the dogs most prone to develop sound phobias:

• Older Dogs: Why? The study we reviewed didn’t provide an explanation but some theories are that older dogs may be less able to manage stress or may actually be more sound sensitive. Decreased mobility and age-related cognitive issues may also play a part.
  
• Autumn/Winter Born Dogs: The likely explanation: Unlike spring/summer borns, thunderstorms and fireworks weren’t part of their puppyhood so these events are more frightening to them.

source:  http://www.bsava.com/Advice/PolicyStatements/ManagementandTreatmentofFireworkPhobias/tabid/495/Default.aspx (note, this was a British study with fireworks for New Year’s Eve being common. We extrapolated and changed the birth seasons to fit our summer fireworks in the US) 

What you can do to help

Keep your pets indoors on fireworks nights. Do not take them to a fireworks display.

Keeping them indoors will prevent them from direct exposure to the noise and will keep them safe in case the panic and try to flee. If they seem worried, it’s ok to try to calm or distract them. Just don’t act worried about them because that will feed their anxiety.

Escape proof your home in case of a panicking pet:
• Close and lock (or close and block) pet doors
• Screens won’t hold back a pet reacting in fear and trying to escape. Close screened windows and screened doors.

Give them things they love to keep them busy during the booms (so they won’t be as worried about the noise).

Stuff and freeze a Kong, bone or consider other long lasting interactive chewies like bully sticks, or appropriately sized elk antlers or Nylabones.

NOTE: Some pets may be too nervous to eat  but perhaps you can entice them to play with you as a way of distracting them from the noise. If none of that works, don’t force them. Shutting down a little is likely their way of coping with the loud sounds.

If your dog has already displayed sound sensitivity, be proactive and consider the following things that have been proven to help:

• A Pressure Wrap* Thundershirt is the one that we recommend and have seen success with. It won’t make all anxiety disappear completely but it can certainly take the edge off for your dog.
 

• Pheromone spray* Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the natural comforting pheromone released by a mother dog to reassure her puppies. You can spray it on bedding or a bandana. We recommend it to clients and the manufacturer has research to prove that it helps. Their site even has a 5-minute fireworks fear assessment tool 
 

• Music Desensitization/counter-conditioning CDs like Through the Dog’s Ear to play while in the home (CD or download on Itunes) or Sound Therapy 4 Pets has a “Sounds Scary” (pre-fireworks therapy edition)” download on iTunes. If you have a puppy you can even try sound exposure on your own—when INDOORS play fireworks sounds at low volume for 30 sec up to 2 or 3 minutes and treat with food while listening to habituate your pup to this sound and prep the dog for future exposure.
 

• Medication Consult with your vet or a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist for possible medication to help during acute situations such as the 4th of July. Note: Acepromazine which is a sometimes still prescribed for sound sensitivity-actually can INCREASE your dog’s sound sensitivity. See 1:50 mark here 

*Both Thundershirt and Adaptil come with a money-back guarantee from the manufacturer.

sources: http://thundershirt.com/Docs/2011-Thundershirt-Dog-Anxiety-Survey-Final-Key-Findings-Summary-May-2011.pdf, http://doyoubelieveindog.blogspot.com/2012/12/fireworks-not-fun-for-everyone-or-every.html

It’s sad to see dogs suffer from fear, phobias and anxiety but with their humans looking out for them and getting guidance from experts, it’s possible to help them cope.

If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, feel free to pick our brain about your dog—no charge. To find out more one-on-one training, behavior consults or group classes visit http://www.opportunity-barks.com

We hope all our readers and their dogs stay out of the fireworks fray and have a safe and happy 4th!

Enrich: Recipes for Kong Noms

It's that time of year where we at OpBarks reflect, give thanks and loosen our pants :) In the spirit of enjoying the holidays with your canine companions, here are a few recipes to keep your dogs busy and happily munching on Kongs in the midst of your travels or entertaining. Here's to a few good naps on the couch too. Kong on my friends!

Click here for full size recipe poster. 

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This past summer I had two amazing clients, two young girls...and their dogs. It was our first "Kids and Dogs" Camp and we tailored a program for these two gals and their pit bulls (gasp, yes pitties).

Day one we sat down and got to work. The dogs, Jed, Stella and Roxy suffered from a case of "happy tail" which could at worst leave welts on your legs! We got right to working on some "self control" or basically- rewarding the dogs for doing, well, nothing (but being calm).

Once the dog settled in, we got to talking.

I asked the girls, "do you have a favorite teacher in school?"

"Yep!"
(ok, ok, we're getting somewhere)...

"Well, why are they your favorite?"

"Well, Mrs. So and So is really nice, she doesn't yell a lot."

Note to self.

"Ok, what about a favorite Uncle or Aunt?"

Emma says, "Oh yeah, my favorite Uncle lives in Colorado."

"Why is he your favorite?"

"Well, he's a really busy guy, he has this real important job, but when I'm with him, he always makes time for me."

I waited a second while I was impressed by the sheer brilliance of what she said, so simple, right?
Making time (with your dog or your favorite Uncle).

So, thanks for Emma and company, I've been making sure I'm making time for my dogs and having more fun. The last few days we've taken swimming breaks during the day. And instead of slowly tip toeing down from the shallow end of the pool- I jump right in, (and yeah, I've done a few cannonballs). And yes, my dogs are having fun.

coolest FedEx guy...ever

Tires crunch the gravel and the dogs are going ape to alert me to the inevitable- "mom, there's someone in the driveway".
Yep, I see those old purple and green letters on the side of the truck. "Wait", I tell them as I slip out the door to prevent the knocking, door bell ringing and what have you mayhem.

"How many are in there?" the driver asks.
"Just two, why does it sound like more?"
"Let 'em out", he says...

My ears do a double take...um, sure!

Sweets and Tater stroll out the front door.

"One for you and one for you". He hands them two gigantic bisuits, which, Sweets in her picky taste, happily put in her mouth.

"They're probably going to jump in the truck", I said as the rock and roll kept blaring out of the open door.

"That's happened before. I have lots of dogs that will jump on my truck before I can even get the package to the door."

"Because you've given them treats before?"

"Yep!"

Now that's the power of positive reinforcement.

They both headed back towards the door, so I opened it, and they ran to the rug to devour their treat from the happy stranger.

Houston we have a problem

If there is one thing you can count on with your companion, it's that their behavior is always changing. That dog that was happy and easy going 6 months ago, may not be the same dog that is walking beside you today.

As your dog gets older, things that have become well rehearsed or have become a part of their behavioral repertoire, are likely to stay in place or intensify. So, what to do when your notice a mole hill is becoming a mountain?

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt
Behavior is behavior is behavior. Stop making excuses for what you're seeing. If you've been saying...."he must be tired or crabby today", "that other dog started it", "it wasn't his fault", it's time to give it up!

What behavior is your dog exhibiting that concerns you?
It's now time to get clear about what your dog is doing that you don't "agree" with. With my dog Tater, it's "posturing and growling at other dogs when greeting".

Is the behavior appropriate in context?
For example, if Tater as growling when a dog approached him frontally, barking lunging, then his response would be appropriate, in the context. However, if the context is the other dogs is soliciting social contact and he is growling and posturing- then, in my opinion, then it is not an appropriate response in the context.

What now?
Well, now that we are over the Denial stage, we're gathering our collective history in my memory.
Here's what it looks like thus far....
1. Tater was always cautious and tentative around dogs- with his older sister, it took about 2 weeks for him to begin to play.
2. His appropriate response when conflicted is/was to sit down- appropriate.
3. Greeted at least 5 dogs prior to 10 months that were not socially savvy and he was scared in response
4. On hikes- rarely had the opportunity to greet dogs, and has barked at dogs in the past
5. When greeting dogs in the past month- stops about 10 feet short, gets stiff, still, hackles up and unsure of how to proceed. With puppies (males in particular) he will freeze, hackles up and growl- this has happened about 5 times.


Next Steps- the most important part!
1. Management-
Limited opportunities to practice this behavior with dogs and only controlled greeting with Ghandhi dogs.
2. Remedial Socialization-
For the next two months were going to intensely work on his reaction to greeting dogs on leash- only ghadhi dogs- dogs that will do everything RIGHT and not respond or get hooked by any posturing/growling:
Leeloo, Yumi, Jean's dog and Acacia (tons of butt sniffing) and Denise Bash's Peanut- a true Ghadhi.
3. Practiced greetings with our fake dog (facing away, then sideways, then front facing greetings)
4. Consider or schedule neutering- as with any intact males response- their reactivity will be more intense due to hormones (according to K. Overall).

Houston, we have a problem!
If you have concerns, jump the gun! Really, don't wait for something nuclear to happen to then determine that your dog is now in the danger zone. The earlier you can manage and modify behavior, increases your odds of success long term!

dogs, foxes & insights

A few days ago, we heard a horrible, screeching noise in the woods- at the time I was looking for injured wildlife- but to no avail. Sweets has begun to go on her spring flings to the creek in the back, obsessing under a large rock across the creek and a newly dug burrow near a tree stump.

After a little googling, it seems that foxes seek habitats hear marshlands and wooded areas- near water- check.

They can make an array of sounds that can be mistook for birds or other wildlife- check.

And now a days, Sweets is leash walked (bummer) to the back pasture. This morning, I gave her a little leeway and she was off. Without a leash it's checkered flag for her to sprint to the back of the property and sniff around the burrow. So, plan to fence more of the back property and allow her life off leash, and the foxes, can do their thing.

On another note, I've been thinking about how this Serbian mudd puppy came into my life and how she's really become part of my identity and who I am (not to mention that there are lots of similarities between us lately), when she bulked up and I thought- I need to run her more, cut back on her food- guess who's pants were also feeling a little tight? When she wants to "eat" small puppies (how I affectionately refer to how she can over-correct and is less tolerant of young dogs), hum, I'd just have to say that I can feel her pain. Actually it was a major insight.

I introduced her to a young, obnoxious, balls to the wall, type puppy last week. With her usual lack of tolerance, she tried to eat him several times (lots of noise, snarling, NEVER any damage). By day 2, she was ignoring him. Day 3, she saddled up against me on the couch and here he comes.

I'm ready for the canine, nose wrinkling nuclear holocust....

She stiffens, growls and rah, rah, rah! Corrects him.

Then I notice something. She starts to stress yawn, whine and her teeth start to clatter as she looks at me (can you say anxiety?)


OK, so the insight.

No doubt, puppies grow on her and it takes time for her to solicit or even want to play. But here's the thing. The close proximity of annoying puppy increases the likelihood that she will "explode". Post explosion- what follows- the surley look from her mother (me) and sometimes yelling to interrupt whatever she's trying to communicate- that embarrasses me and has her look like a she's about to dine on young dogs.

In short, the proximity of annoying puppy = mom may yell. Thus- annoying puppy, stay away, to avoid the wrath.
And, there she is, anxious, conflicted- wanting to give the puppy the smack down, but afraid that her human (me) may become unpredictable.

Mind you, this is the same dog that is stress yawning when my husband is watching TV and yelling at the Eagles or the 76'ers.

She is SENSITIVE.

So, I read her cues, vowed to "let it roll" and for the past few days, sure, she's acclimated to the young male in the house AND there have been no over the top corrections.