Hi!
it’s that time of year again.
Diwali, followed by Bonfire Night, Followed by Christmas & New Year.
I have two dogs, both sighthounds so a tendency towards anxious
behaviours anyway (most separation anxiety). The female doesn’t like fireworks when we’re out but can more or less manage at home (maybe a wee inside at the back door rather than requesting to be let out, understandable and manageable).
But my poor boy, a greyhound from a racing background seems to have severe PTSD type symptoms that are triggered by loud bangs.
He’s almost 6 and has been with me 4 years. We’ve tried everything commercially available (thundershirt-didn’t really fit his big ribcage/skinny hips, noise cancelling ear defenders -don’t stay on his skinny head, herbal pills, diffusers, sprays-maybe take the edge off a bit but at 35kg he needs to eat a lot of herbal pills, prescription sedatives-defo help but can’t be used for months on end) kids tights on his head helps a bit. We’ve tried the music with fireworks in as desensitisation but it hasn’t worked, although it is useful to have music on while the fireworks are actually going off.
This year, I think I will try making him a den (he likes under the dining table but it’s a big table with a cross beam between the legs at foot level, so no room to lay down under there).
So I’m currently looking at pop up tents for kids. Anyone bought similar? Aldi has a teepee in stock at the moment that I could try out and easily return if he doesn’t fit in it, but I could order online too.
It’ll probably live in my bedroom for my convenience so I would prefer it not to be too ugly, or perhaps be a bit humorous, like the ladybird styled ones?
Any other suggestions gratefully received!