Name:
Angelo

Breed:
Staffie Cross

Sex:
Male

Age:
3 Years

Angelo was rescued from a toilet in an empty house. All four of his paws have marks from being tied up. The poor dog had been badly mistreated and when found was extremely traumatised. Angelo seems to be recovering well now. Agatha Christie, the famous British mystery writer said, “Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more.” Angelo seems to be recovering well but he, like many dogs, is petrified of thunder and lightning – and by extension, firecrackers. Dogs have very sensitive hearing and are startled by loud, sudden noises. So how can we help dogs, like Angelo, overcome this fear – or at least reduce it to manageable levels.

1. DON’T pet or reassure the dog. This only increases its anxiety and belief that there really is something to fear.
2. Talk to the dog in a firm, confident tone of voice to show that you are fully in control of events.
3. Close the windows and doors and turn on the TV or radio to mask the sounds.
4. If possible, play games or do some training exercises to distract your dog.
5. In severe case your vet can prescribe anxiety-reducing medication.