Leading Sussex-based business The Dog G8 Company, which appeared on BBC One Dragons’ Den earlier this year with their versatile concertina safety gate for dogs, is helping pet owners to avoid stress or harm to their animals on Bonfire Night.
With the firework season seemingly getting longer each year starting with Halloween, Bonfire Night and then finishing with New Year, combined with the higher noise levels caused by large and commercial display type fireworks which are available for public purchase through various retail outlets and used for back garden displays, many dogs and other pets that are sensitive to the noise of loud bangs will suffer with terrible stress and anxiety. Sadly every year this often leads to pet fatalities.
Founded by Peter Maxted, who started a dog sitting business years ago, The Dog G8 Company recently received a Silver Award at the PetQuip Awards which were held at PATS Telford. They were also one of only 10 companies to make the finals of the Pet Industry Federation’s New Pet Innovation of the Year Award this year.
Their range of highly versatile, concertina gates that aid dog owners with training, prevent dogs from escaping, and reduce the potential risk of an attack on postal and delivery workers coming to the house particularly important as we approach Christmas.. They are also extremely useful at this time of year with the firework season that starts from Bonfire Night and goes up to New Year when dogs can get spooked by fireworks, and can run out of the door and sadly on occasions, lead to fatalities on the road.
During the firework season, The Dog G8 Company often hears of concerns from their clients about how to deal with the noise of fireworks and are keen to know how to keep their dogs calm and safe. There are a number of practical steps that pet owners can take to avoid undue stress on their pets as Chris Maxted, Director explains: “Dogs in particular seem to have the biggest issue with the sound of fireworks. The Kennel Club states that at least 40% of dogs are frightened of the noise so it is important to make sure that pets are kept indoors in calm and safe environment and that you do what you can to blank out the sound. These are a few tips that we suggest for pet owners.
“Before Bonfire Night, try to acclimatise your pets to the sound of fireworks. There is plenty of downloadable content which can give you the opportunity to introduce your pet to a variety of potentially disturbing noises in a controlled positive manner. Make sure that your pet is micro- chipped, registered with correct contact details and wearing an ID tag in case they wander off. You could also check with your neighbours to see if they are holding any garden displays to give you time to prepare and in extreme cases, seek the help of an animal behaviourist if time allows.
“Take your dog for a precautionary toilet break before dusk, as your pet may feel too anxious to venture outside until they feel calm has returned. Always make sure that your garden is escape proof, just in case a firework goes off if you take them into the garden to go to the toilet, as a panicked dog might act out of character or try to escape. Make sure you shut all doors and windows in your home and don’t forget to draw the curtains. This will block out any scary flashes of light and reduce the noise level of fireworks. Don’t forget to block off cat flaps to stop dogs (and cats) escaping. Make a safe den for your pet to retreat to if they feel scared. Make sure to fill it with their favourite blankets, toys, (enrichment ones will distract them) or an item of unwashed clothing, as these may help them feel safe.
“During the fireworks, distract your pet from the noise by having the TV or the radio switched on or play some calming music. Act normal and remain calm, happy and cheerful as this will send positive signals to your pet. Comfort your pets and reward calm behaviour with treats or playing. Never try to force your dog or cat to face their fears and never try and tempt them out if they do retreat, as this may cause more stress. Avoid telling your pet off and if you need to open the front door, shut your dog or cat safely inside a room first. You should never take your dog to a firework display or tie them up outside whilst fireworks are going off.
“To prevent escapes from the front door, installing a portable interior gate is a good idea. A spooked pet can run out into the road and can cause an accident. The portable gate from The Dog G8 Company which appeared on BBC One Dragons’ Den last year has a concertina mechanism which will go across any span and more importantly, the front door. www.dog-g8.com
“There are also a number of excellent natural and herbal calming aids on the market that come in spray, tincture, chew or powder formats. If your pet has any health problems, or is taking any medication, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult with your vet. There are also a number of plug-ins available from vets and pet shops that give off a calming effect for pets.”
