Dog Marley! Reggae holds the key to keeping pups calm on Firework's Night

Reggae music has a slow and rounded beat that soothes dogs, so ask Alexa to play Bob Marley
Tag and microchip details should all be up to date
Reassure your dog. Treat them like a member of the family and reassure them when they’re scared
Make sure your dog’s favourite place is accessible to them

40% of dogs in the UK are scared of fireworks, and an astonishing 35% of dogs are reported missing on Firework’s Night[1] as they want to hide from harm.

As the British population enjoy the local Bonfire Night show, PlayOJO the fair casino, has partnered with Oli Juste, dog trainer and behaviourist, to give top tips on making the night fairer for man’s best friend:

Video Content of Top Tips: https://youtu.be/AYF3qBH73Mk

Pre-Fireworks Night Prep

Exercise Your Dog – make sure you’re taking your dog for long walks during the day and try to do so before 3.30pm – 4pm when the light dims and the fireworks may start
Safe proof your garden to prevent your dog from escaping
Make sure the collar / harness is fitted properly – and prevent your dog from being able to escape the lead and run-away from the situation that they’re scared of
Tag and microchip details should all be up to date to ensure the dog can be returned to you as quickly as possible
Close the curtains to reduce the amount of noise and sound that is generated by the fireworks

Throughout Fireworks Night

Play reggae music! The slow and rounded beat soothes dogs, so get Bob Marley on to calm your dog
Ditch Mozart! The erratic tempo and the high pitch tones from classical music – once thought to soothe your pet – is actually not as calming as we once thought
Stay at home with your dog and become their safe place. This will reassure them and prevent them from trying to escape or even worse: accidentally hurting themselves in their panic
His Den – make sure that your dog’s favourite place is accessible to them. Whether they like to lie under the table, on – or under – the bed, or in the corner. Make sure their safe place is not obstructed, and they can access this to make them feel more safe
Reassure your dog. The preconceived idea that you will reinforce your dog’s behaviour when scared is not correct. Reassuring your dog will make you their safe place and be a comfort to them. Make sure you’re calm, as erratic or high-pitched voices will not help.
Accidents happen –dogs produce cortisol when they’re anxious which creates an urgent need to go to the bathroom. They cannot help this and should not be reprimanded. If you return home to an accident, then roll that newspaper up and hit yourself, as you should have been at home with your dog!

Not stopping at sharing top tips from Oli, PlayOJO will also be offering a training class to one lucky owner to soothe their stressed dog ahead of Fireworks Night.

For your chance to win a one-to-one session with a professional trainer, entrants need to submit the reason why their dog should win this class, via PlayOJO’s social channels and using the hashtag #firewoofsnight. Whether that’s missing Bonfire Night to console your cockapoo, fashioning earmuffs to muffle the terrifying bangs or creating a makeshift safe room for your pet, the most heart warming tale may win the helping hand your pet really needs.

Please enter on: Twitter, Instagram or Facebook