Fireworks with your Border Collie.

Calming your dogs fear of fireworks will benefit you & your dog, sometimes their fear can go back to a previous frightening experience. some get scared for no apparent reason, but you can help by...

1) Don't cuddle and reassure them as this will reinforce the dogs belief that something awful is happening.

2) Try to act like nothing is wrong, and behave normally.

3) Draw curtains to block out flashes of light.

4) Muffle the noise as much as possible.

5) Provide your dog with a den - use a crate covered with a blanket or improvise with a table or some chairs - which they can use as a refuge some dogs feel safer if they have such a treatable space, but never shut them in.

6) Feed a stodgy meal earlier in the day including pasta and rice so they have plenty of carbohydrates so they will relax and sleep.

7) give tons of exercise so they will be tired and sleep.

8) Play realistic CD recordings of fireworks to get them used to the sound

Remember your Border Collie most likely barks at firework because they feel the duty to protect you, reward them with a treat.

(This knowledge was bestowed by the book, Everything Dogs Expect You To Know, by: Karen Bush.)