A Richmond dog trainer is asking owners to leave their dogs at home during the upcoming Halloween fireworks show at Minoru Park.
Bringing dogs to fireworks shows can be unsafe and frightening for them, explained dog trainer Sandy Reichert, and many get lost.
She advises pet owners not to bring their dogs to fireworks.
“The majority of dogs are going to be frightened by fireworks because they’re loud, and there’s bright flashes of light. And, typically, that’s very scary for dogs.”
Flashing lights and loud sounds coupled with large crowds can overstimulate the animals and make them “very fearful.”
When fireworks go off, dogs can “go into a state of panic and try to get away” as their fight-or-flight response gets triggered, said Reichert.
“And sometimes they slip out of their collars or harnesses and they just run.”
Kim Decker, City of Richmond spokesperson, confirmed BC SPCA officers will be present at the Minoru Park fireworks event on Halloween to educate people who bring their pets along.
City staff will also be working late on the day to respond to calls of dogs-at-large across the city.
“‘Fireworks can be very frightening to pets, so please leave them safely at home,’ is an important message the city conveys each Halloween,” she said.
The city’s bylaws prohibit people from bringing pets, except for assistance dogs, within the boundaries of a sports court, artificial turf field or running track, Decker added.
How can you keep your dogs safe?
Owners who bring their dogs to the fireworks show should watch for signs of fear responses including shaking and heavy panting, said Reichert.
“Some people don’t recognize it. Like, they think their dog is panting because they’re hot out there, but often times, that can be a sign of pretty intense fear,” Reichert explained.
If their dogs become distressed, owners should move the dogs as far from the fireworks as possible. They should also make sure their dogs have some kind of identification on their collars.
Some owners might want to desensitize their dogs to the sounds of fireworks by bringing them along to the shows, but Reichert thinks this can be counter-productive.
A better approach, she said, would be to play the sounds of fireworks for the pets at home and gradually increase the volume.
“And that’s how you would desensitize them, rather than just putting them immediately into a situation… that can actually work against you where they can become sensitized and become extremely fearful.”
For dogs in homes close to fireworks, owners can close the curtains and put on a fan, white noise or music to block out the sound.
“Try to play some games with their dogs and keep them calm and give them some treats, and just help them realize that everything’s okay,” said Reichert.
If dog owners are concerned about their dogs’ fear of fireworks, Reichert also suggests consulting their veterinarians.
Reichert’s company, Daisy Dog Training, received BC SPCA’s AnimalKind accreditation earlier this summer.
More tips on keeping your pets safe during Halloween can be found on BC SPCA’s website.
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