Bangs, Lights and Squeals – It’s the Fireworks.

Owning a noise sensitive dog is an interesting experience during the fireworks period. One of my dogs is going deaf now but my four year old Dalmatian has never been keen on any loud noise, let alone fireworks.

Every year I’ve worked on counter conditioning techniques to attempt to desensitise the poor little mutt to these horrid sounds and lights that anyone without a dog finds entertaining and each year she’s still struggled.

Some things that have helped and you may find useful if you have a similar problem have been:
- Set up a safe spot for her – either a crate if you have one with a blanket hung over it to make it dark and enclosed or just hang a blanket between two pieces of furniture or over the furniture.
- Play some music quite loudly or the television. Be aware that if you are watching the news or a soap, there are likely to be fireworks on the TV too!
- If your dog is not too stressed she may accept some food or want to play – distract her by doing some training or a game.
- Close the curtains etc. to keep out the bright lights.

These things may help but you can also work on desensitising your dog to the fireworks throughout the year so that when the fireworks season arrives, it is less bothersome to your dog.

The Company of Animals has produced a CD called the Noises & Sounds CD which includes the sound of fireworks being set off. The idea with this is to start off quietly when it’s not bothering your dog and build up gradually, ensuring that it’s never too much for her to cope with. Providing something reinforcing when your dog hears these noises, helps her to associate the noises with something positive.

Last year I discovered a product that absolutely changed our lives – it’s called Serene-Um. This is a natural remedy that enhances the levels of Serotonin in the dog’s body, enabling her to accept reinforcement more readily and reduces stress levels. It is not a sedative and does not leave them drowsy but helps them to ‘chill’.
I would never recommend something like this on its own – it’s important to put the work in too. However, teaming this up with our usual desensitisation techniques worked a treat. When it came to fireworks night, Takara was unable to accept much in the way of reinforcement due to her stress levels and so we struggled to get to a stage where she was comfortable with the fireworks. However, with the help of Serene-Um, Takara was able to accept the reinforcement and therefore associate the fireworks with nothing scary. I saw an immediate improvement in her behaviour and am pleased to report that this year, we have already started hearing fireworks and she hasn’t even flinched. She appears not to notice!

For more information on Serene-Um or for help on working with your own dog, please feel free to email: info@pawsitivelypets.co.uk with the subject title ‘fireworks’.

Doggy Advent Calendars?!

Perhaps it's the spirit of Christmas hitting me early, or perhaps I'm just going soft but I have been sucked in to the anthropomorphosis of dogs via the use of 'doggy chocs' and advent calendars!

When I went to the suppliers today and stood looking at all the goodies for pets at Christmas I decided there must be some really lucky animals out there!

As my eyes fell on the Doggy Advent Calendars I found myself thinking 'why not?'. I mean, ok - dogs don't know it's Christmas - but don't they usually get a little daily treat anyway? And it helps us grouchy humans get into the spirit!

So, having got plenty in stock, Takara and Eddy - the daft dallies - will be receiving advent calendars this year! Will your dog?

The advent calendars are £2.49 each and will soon be found at www.pawsitivelypets.co.uk or email us for more info or to order: sales@pawsitivelypets.co.uk

Meet the Menagerie

At Pawsitively Pets we don't encourage the selling of animals from pet shops and prefer to refer anyone interested in a furry, feathered, or scaly creature to rescues or breeders.

However, we do have some of our own. Lottie, the director and founder of Pawsitively Pets has a little menagerie set up at home (which will inevitably grow as Lottie gets more of her own space!).

Here's introducing...

Takara - Dotty Dally #1

Takara is a 4 year old liver spotted dally who first met Lottie aged 5 weeks. She finally went home with Lottie almost three weeks later. She and Lottie have been through a lot together and earlier this year they appeared at Crufts for the Friends For Life competition.
Takara helps Lottie (who is disabled) with every day life and accompanies her to places wearing her assistance dog jacket. She also enjoys training regularly with Lottie.
Thanks to Karyn Wight of Tafuta Dalmatians for allowing her to come and live with us.

Eddy - Dotty Dally #2

Eddy came to live with Lottie and her family aged 11 and a half years of age when his previous owner had to move to Australia and decided it was in his best interests to find him a good home in the UK instead of making him travel.
Eddy is now 14 and a half years of age and people still struggle to believe his age! He playfights with Takara and is still pretty active. He has been diagnosed with kidney disease but is doing well.

Smitch - The Cat

Smitch is an 11(ish) year old cat Lottie has had since Lottie was 11. Until recently Smitch lived with her sister Smudge, who sadly died earlier this year.
The pair were rescue kittens and have lived with Lottie and her family almost all their lives.
Despite her appearance, Smitch weighs next to nothing as it's all fluff and her favourite past times include plucking at furniture, guarding the rodents and sharing primula cheese with Little Miss Chief.

Little Miss Chief - The Fancy Rat

Originally named 'Petal' after she was found abandoned in a garden, Little Miss Chief has been renamed due to her naughty and bossy nature!
She came to live with Lottie after attempts to introduce her to other rats failed. Little Miss is much happier with no other rats around her and is progressing well and growing in confidence.

Whiskas and Felix - The Hamsters
Whiskas and Felix are the rescued hamsters here at Pawsitively Pets. They came to live with Lottie after their owner didn't return for them.
Unfortunately we are lacking in photos of these two sweeties just now but will get some put up!
Whiskas is possibly the world's fattest Russian Dwarf ever and Felix is small but mighty! He enjoys picking up his wheel and banging it against the cage bars at approximately 2:30am! Not so fun as they live in the bedroom!

Welcome to the blog!

As our first post to this blog, I'll make it simple!

The blog is intended to bring you up to date with the latest pet news, bring you items of interest and to post items we like.

We will be keen to update you on the adventures of not only the Pawsitively Pets dotty dalmatians, but also of Smitch, the clever cat, Little Miss Chief, the naughty but nice fancy rat and of Whiskas and Felix, the hamsters!

Finally, we will be looking forward to reviewing and bringing to your attention new and exciting products whether we get them in stock or whether we know where else you can get them from.

So do keep looking back, and feel free to send us your feedback to: info@pawsitivelypets.co.uk