Dog dangers during Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis Night is a festive weekend when many people gather around the bonfire to socialize and celebrate the arrival of spring. Unfortunately, it can be a stressful weekend for many dogs as fireworks and firecrackers are often used. Let us help you reduce your dog's discomfort and create a safe and peaceful weekend! Here are our top tips on what to do, what not to do, and what to do if your dog gets scared.
Avoid these situations for your dog's safety
-Take your dog to the bonfire. It can be a stressful environment from the dog's perspective where people may be drunk and the noise level is often high.
-Do not leave your dog alone at home either. If your dog experiences the sound of fireworks and becomes frightened, he may be frightened by the sound but also by being alone at home. For more information on how to support a scared dog, check out How to deal with your frightened dog - tips on bribing, encouraging or supporting.
Remember: even if your dog hasn't shown signs of fear of sound before, he can get scared; all it takes is one negative experience!
Important preparations for May Day for your dog
- Contact your vet for a prescription for Sileo or Tessie, medicines that can help your dog through the evening if he is afraid of noise.
- Buy grease wadding (available at the pharmacy), which can be used as earplugs if your dog gets scared.
- Keep supplements such as Aptus Relax at home (should never be combined with medication).
Prepare your dog for Walpurgis Night
- Exercise and activate your dog during the day before the festivities begin.
- Avoid high-paced activities that can agitate the dog.
- Chop up a meaty bone or stuff fresh food into an activation toy and put it in the freezer. An activity that can serve as a distraction when dusk falls.
- Give your dog Aptus Relax or another supplement if you suspect he will become anxious.
Tips to calm your dog on Walpurgis Night
-Take the last break in good time before the fireworks start.
-Close the curtains to reduce the visual impact from outside.
-Play quiet music or turn on the TV to reduce outside noise.
-Give your dog something to occupy himself with when things are at their worst. The meaty bone or activation toy you prepared.
-Remain calm when there is a banging outside; don't look at your dog with concern but sweep your eyes and take in your dog's emotional expressions without interfering with your own concern. For more on the emotional life of dogs, read Dogs' emotional life - not unlike ours.
How to help a scared dog during May Day
- Show compassion, be close and talk soothingly and clap. Skip pity; compassion is the right tune.
- Ball up greasy cotton wool into earplugs and plug up the ear canal.
- See if your dog wants to be in a tighter space, perhaps in the bedroom with you.
- Test if your dog wants to exercise, chew on bones or engage in anything other than listening. If not, just sit close and ride out the storm together.
- Do not leave your dog alone.
If you are outside when the fireworks go off
- If the dog is moderately anxious, you can act as if the sound is the start of a fun activity. For example, jump, play, run or try a treat search.
- Say "Let's go home" if your dog gets really scared and then go home. No point in prolonging the suffering. In an emergency, there is no training. Your dog may turn active stress management into passive stress management. However, this does not mean that your dog is okay, quite the opposite.
General tips for a safe May Day with your dog
-Check what the rules are in your municipality when it comes to fireworks and firecrackers on May Day. Each municipality has different restrictions, but it is usually allowed to set off fireworks on May Day between certain times. Find out what the rules are in your municipality and plan your dog's life accordingly.
-Always keep your dog on a harness/collar that they can't get out of, and have a two-handed grip on the leash if you're out and about where there might be a bang. For dogs with a fear of fireworks, you can read more about Fireworks fear in dogs - emergency and long-term solutions.
There you have it, our top tips to help your dog deal with Walpurgis Night in a safe and calm way.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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