An owner has revealed how to create a DIY ear muff out of a single sock. That’s to help keep dogs calm on bonfire night. Here’s how to keep your dog calm, under any condition.
Caitlin Miller, 17, from South Shields, Tyne, and Wear, had been looking for a more cost-effective way to calm her pets when fireworks were let off.
Instead of purchasing stress bands or calming jackets from specialist stores, she decided to create a headband to muffle the sound. That was simply by cutting the ankle and toes off a pair of socks.
The comfortable contraption helps quieten the distressing noises. It also creates a slight compression that makes it feel like the dog is being cuddled, she claimed.
How to Keep Your Dog Calm (DIY)
She shared her nifty trick on Facebook on October 25 to help other dog owners prepare for the firework season. Caitlin claims her trick worked wonders on her five-month-old Jack Russel Cookie and her nine-year-old pom chi Ruby.
When posting on Facebook, Caitlin said: ‘For all those whose dogs are scared of fireworks.
‘Instead of buying anti-stress bands or anything else off the internet, just cut the two ends off a sock and put it on their head. Make sure it’s not too tight but comfortable.
‘It gives them a sensation of being cuddled and relaxes them. We used them last year. And, as firework season is back, we’re using them again and thought I’d share with my friends’. Caitlin said that Ruby has been afraid of fireworks her entire life. And, nothing could help calm her down no matter what she tried.
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She said: ”She began to rip out patches in her fur due to this anxiety. So, last year we then took it further to the vet. ‘They gave her anxiety pills and a cone. The anxiety pills didn’t do anything. The cone only made her more uncomfortable than she already was.
‘After all this not working I then went on Google to research if anything would help them. I came across the anti-stress band which instantly brought my attention and did some investigating on how it works.
‘It gives them a sensation of being cuddled. And, of course, covered their ears which blocked out some of the sounds of the fireworks.
‘I’m not sure if it’s true, but I also read it releases endorphins that make the dogs happier and further relaxed.’
When asked about her DIY dog comforters, she said: ‘I noticed that it looked a bit like a sock on the dog’s head so I thought I would try it with a sock and cut off the two ends.
How to Keep Your Dog Calm with an Anti-Stress Band
‘I found one that wouldn’t be too tight but not too loose. After trying it I realised it was the only thing that kept her calm and happy.
‘I also recently got a puppy, Cookie, she is only 5 months old and has never experienced fireworks before.
‘Much like Ruby, she didn’t like them and barked at them. Trying this on her she was unsure at first, something going over her head, but once it was on it was instant relaxation.’
Since being uploaded to Facebook at the weekend, Caitlin’s post has been shared more than 15,000 times, with thousands of people leaving comments.
In 2019 research conducted by the RSPCA revealed that 62 percent of dog owners said their animals were visibly distressed by fireworks.
Additionally, since 2014 they have received 2,200 calls about firework-related issues.
Source: dailymail
