Wave Goodbye To Firework Fears With Sound Therapy For Dogs
| Wave Goodbye To Firework Fears With Sound Therapy For Dogs (We are an equine site but as many of us also have dogs we sometimes include information articles.) One of Britain's leading supermarkets is helping the RSPCA combat the misery suffered each year by the millions of animals left terrified by fireworks. The Co-operative will help distribute a new leaflet produced by the RSPCA which gives practical advice on how owners can use sound therapy to overcome their dogs' long-term fear of loud noises that have traditionally caused so much distress to animals during the Guy Fawkes celebrations. |  |
Mark Evans, the RSPCA's Chief Vet said: "Every year, fireworks and other loud noises are a source of great anxiety for many dogs. But what most owners don't realise is that this is a treatable problem. Scientifically proven therapy tools such as the Sounds Scary! CD, can help to teach dogs to be less afraid of fireworks, so that the next fireworks season will be less stressful for both the owner and their dog."
An estimated 45% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks1 - meaning up to three million dogs could be affected this Bonfire Night2.
Firework phobia is a treatable condition for many animals though, and the RSPCA wants to spread the message that pet owners do not have to watch their canine companions suffer every year.
The Co-operative will give the charity's new firework leaflet to anyone who buys fireworks from any of its stores in England and Wales. The convenience retailer - which was this month awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the RSPCA Good Business Awards in recognition of its longstanding commitment to animal welfare - expects to hand out more than 60,000 copies of the advice leaflet at its stores.
Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean star Bill Nighy has also given his support to the RSPCA's fireworks campaign. The legendary British actor has provided the voiceover for a radio advert which will air during the fireworks season and invites listeners to text the word ‘BANG' to 60022 for further advice5.
Bill said: "I'm delighted to support the RSPCA's fireworks campaign and I hope the ad will help remind people that fireworks frighten thousands of pets. This is a huge problem, and I hope everyone will do what they can to help. The best thing people can do is go to an organised public display instead of holding their own at home - and encourage the organisers to use lower noise fireworks."
Thousands of RSPCA leaflets will also be distributed by local councils, vets, MPs and to schools. The leaflet contains tips on how to help dogs leading up to and on the nights fireworks are set off, and is available at www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks.
The RSPCA has teamed up with Sound Therapy 4 Pets to endorse the Sounds Scary! CD therapy pack3. This can be used to help dogs learn to be less afraid of loud fizzes and bangs in the build up to Bonfire Night.
In a scientific trial where owners trained their dogs with the Sounds Scary! CD, together with the use of a dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), 93% of owners stated there was a degree of improvement in their pet's behaviour.4
"This year, we are urging owners not to ignore the problem just because it only happens once or twice a year," said the RSPCA's Mark Evans. "So, once the fireworks season is over, we would encourage owners to use the CD to start training their dogs in preparation for the New Year and next year's Bonfire Night."
The two-CD pack works by gradually teaching dogs to be less afraid of loud noises. It should initially be played at a very low level, so that the dog shows no reaction to the noises. The volume can then be gradually increased, until the dog doesn't react to the noises, even when the CD is played at moderate to full volume. The last stage is to teach the dog to associate the sound of the CD with something he or she finds pleasant and rewarding, such as food or play. It can take several weeks to see improvements in a dog's fearful behaviour, so this requires time and commitment from the owner, but it can transform the welfare of the animal.
It is not just dogs that can be afraid of loud noises though and the RSPCA now receives twice as many fireworks related calls as it did just eight years ago. In 2007 the charity's national control centre received 940 calls from people about fireworks. But last November alone, the animal welfare charity handled 484 fireworks calls - 28 more than in the whole of 1999.
The RSPCA's fireworks campaign leaflet also contains tips on how to help cats and small animals on the day of fireworks and advice is available at www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks.
10% of the money from each CD sold will go to the RSPCA, so that we can continue to help more animals. For more information, or details on how to purchase an RSPCA discounted copy of the Sounds Scary CD, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks
RSPCA advice to keep cats and dogs safe and secure:
1. Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to, and has access to this place at all times. For example, this could be under some furniture or in a cupboard.
2. Close all windows and curtains at nightfall and put on some music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.
3. Never show any anger towards your cat or dog if they appear frightened - this will only convince the animal that there really is something to be afraid of.
4. Do not fuss over or try to reassure your dog or cat when they are frightened. Try to ignore any fearful behaviour, unless there is danger that he/she may harm themselves.
5. Make sure your dog or cat is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times so that they cannot escape in reaction to a sudden noise.
6. If your pets live outside, partly cover cages, pens and aviaries with blankets so that one area is well sound-proofed. Make sure your pet is still able to look out. Provide extra bedding for small animals so they have something to burrow in.
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Added on: 28/10/08.
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