Rachel Bean catches us up on the latest info, as well as provides some information on trauma and fireworks around canines.
It’s been a busy old month, as I was invited to Cyprus to teach life-saving skills to animal charities and pet parents.
The trip was a real eye-opener, and I went to Nicosia to teach a sold-out canine first aid course at the Dog Coach Cyprus facility.
The course, was the same as what I teach in the UK, is designed to give learners the skills they need to react quickly and calmly in a crisis, which can range from a cut paw to a cardiac arrest.
Because my usual stunt dog Chilli could not travel, I was ably assisted on the day by adorable Rico, who helped me demonstrate some of the lifesaving techniques.
A big shout out to Rico, who stood in for Chilli on the day. Chilli usually helps me demonstrate some of the techniques so it was like losing an arm or leg not having her with me, but Rico was an eager and comical stand-in.
The Cyprus trip was wonderful and it was amazing to share my skills with people in a different country.
Everyone was so keen to learn. Just like here, Cyprus has plenty of dog lovers and pet parents, and everyone wanted to do the best they could for their pup.
Now that I am back in the UK, I am back out on the road delivering the iPET Network qualification in canine first aid, as well as sessions for pet parents who do not need a qualification but want to learn more.
The more people that know these skills the better, as you never know what is around the corner. Some of the people who have taken my courses have gone on to save their own pets’ lives or the life of someone else’s pet. It’s really important stuff.
My tip this month is actually a surprising warning, as many of us would not even consider taking our dog to a fireworks display.
But in my practice as a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, I have seen an increasing number of traumatised dogs, who display behavioural issues not dissimilar to PTSD.
This could be down to exposure to environments that have traumatised the dog, and I have to say that even if your dog appears calm at noisy events such as fireworks displays, it does not mean that they are having fun.
Many dog owners prepare for fireworks season and work to desensitise their dog, but for some owners, the dog does not appear to be scared at all, so they carry on with their regular routine. For some, this even includes taking their pet along to fireworks displays.
However, just because your dog appears calm, it does not mean they are not afraid, dogs are people pleasers, and they might be suppressing their fear to be part of their pack.
My advice would be to avoid fireworks displays altogether with any dog, no matter how calm they appear, as it could lead to behavioural issues in the future.
Welcoming a dog into your life is the best thing in the world, but we need to remember that our dogs do not think like we do.
It is our responsibility as pet parents to recognise the signs, and avoid any potentially triggering scenarios, dogs don’t enjoy the same things that we do.
To find out more about Rachel Bean go to www.rachelbean.co.uk