Amanda Teixeira
The pre-Christmas rush, the unusual daily rhythm, visitors, gifts, and the loud turn of the year. With our tips, you and your dog will have a happy new year.
Hectic and hustle and bustle is not uncommon at Christmas, the public holidays, and New Year’s Eve. Some dogs get really excited and get infected by the stress. You should keep these 7 tips in mind for relaxed holidays with your dog.
Emergency numbers ready?
The dog steps into a broken bauble or has a serious upset stomach: it doesn’t have to be anything major, but it will make you feel better if you have the phone numbers and addresses of the vet on duty, the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic, the local animal welfare and shelter, the Animal taxis and – if there is one in your region – animal rescue saved on your cell phone or pinned to your bulletin board.
Small inventory
There are only a few days in a row that the shops are closed. Nevertheless, it is good to get an overview of stocks of necessary medicines (note the expiry date), food and treats, chewing bones, toys, and treats.
New Year’s preparations
Prepare meticulously for the worst day of the year for some dogs, New Year’s Eve. Blanket/basket/box is in the familiar corner, shutters are down, windows are closed. To do this, when the spectacle begins, turn up the radio or television, loudly and with non-stop music if possible.
They themselves stand merrily in the room and throw sausages, pieces of cheese, or other delicacies around. Don’t slip the dog, but let him look for his treats. He’s supposed to be distracted. It works if you start on time and don’t wait for it to start shaking.
Create quiet zones
Even a quiet Christmas and a New Year’s Eve party in a small circle bring unrest into dog life and unsettle. The animals miss the everyday rituals that we are sometimes not even aware of. A place of retreat – a blanket, an open transport basket, a cuddly basket next to the human bed – calms and gives security. But not just at the last minute. Make this space “lovable” now and let the dog enjoy its chewing bones or find undisturbed sleep there.
Linen required outside
Even the most stoic of dogs can lose their nerve when a firecracker bursts or a rocket lands next to them. Especially on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the search reports for dogs accumulate, because even during the day you have to expect noisy surprises. On these two days, there should be an absolute leash obligation. You can romp again next year.
Gentle tranquilizers
You can prevent New Year’s panic with homeopathic globules, rescue drops (Bach flowers) and pheromone sprays. Globules and rescue drops are available from pharmacies (use an alcohol-free version), and you can get the pheromone spray from your vet. In a gentle dose, it exudes an odor that the mother dog also gives off, and puts the dog’s soul a bit into the puppy state, when the mother provided protection and security. But even these gentle lucky charms do not help ad hoc. The effect only sets in after about 14 days. So start early.
If you want to resort to chemical sedation, you and the veterinarian must try the chosen remedy beforehand, because the effect varies from person to person and, in the worst case, can be reversed. Under no circumstances should you – without consulting your veterinarian – use medicines for humans, including herbal preparations.
Solid as a rock
If all else fails, if your dog is trembling with fear and wants to crawl into hiding, he can do that. With you. They neither comfort nor appease him. But you are there, holding him in your arms, curling up next to him, letting him get into bed with you and lie next to you. You give him what he needs most: the security that nothing can happen to him because he is with you and you always protect him.
You yourself have to radiate calm (no pity), you can smile or laugh, you can tell him a nice story. If he continues to tremble, don’t respond and continue to offer him your protection. It’s exhausting, but every spook comes to an end. Then normality returns to the dog’s soul.