Cheeky Jemma (Australian Shepherd, 11yo) h
ad a rough few months with a large kidney stone (biggest the specialist has seen!) and limited mobility but is now back to her normal playful self after months of a special diet and following a treatment plan.
It is important to introduce puppies and kittens to new experiences in a slow, controlled manner. If their first experience of fireworks is on New Year's Eve, alone in the backyard, when you're not at home, with multiple people letting off firecrackers, this can be a very traumatising experience.
For dogs and cats that already have issues with loud noises you need to start planning early, especially if they need medication. Make sure that your dog or cat is going to be in a safe, secure place on New Year's Eve, with curtains closed, background noise such as the TV or radio.
Desensitisation needs to be done in a slow, controlled manner, best managed by professionals. DogTech is a dog training company that specialises in dog behaviour training. They run a puppy preschool class at our Elizabeth Drive Animal Hospital, but also run group classes and more importantly in home training.