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The autumn season is closely associated with Halloween and bonfire night.
Although fun for some, the events surrounding these celebrations can often be accompanied by unexpected and alarming noises and, for those unaccustomed to the loud bangs of fireworks like our pets, it can be a particularly scary time of year.
A study carried out by British brand Joules has revealed that 72 per cent of pet owners see a change in their pets’ behaviour over this season, with 68 per cent saying that they are frightened by the loud noises.
For lots of pet owners, it can be distressing to see and difficult to know how to calm them.
Signs that your dog might be scared include:
So to help pet parents this autumn Joules have partnered with animal behaviourist Kimberley Grundy to share advice on how to keep your furry friend happy and calm this bonfire night.
Here are her nine top tips:
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5. Secure your home and garden
Make sure your doors and any gates are secure so your dog is unable to escape if they are scared by a firework. | Canva/Getty Images
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6. Distract them
If they are not overly worried then we can often distract them with games, enrichment toys, training etc so they are focused on something else instead. | Canva/Getty Images
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8. Reassure your dog
Ensure that your dog gets all the reassurance they need if they are scared. It used to be advised to ignore dogs when they were scared, as this would reinforce to them that they shouldn’t be scared of that thing. However, we know that when we are scared of something, being reassured won't make that fear worse, instead it might just make us feel a bit better. Therefore if they seek out comfort, give them as much reassurance as you want. | Canva/Getty Images