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New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands, for dogs

Pets

30/12/2010New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands, for dogs

Some advice for pet owners on how to prepare their dog for New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands.

Dog etiquette in the Netherlands

The ultimate ‘inburgering’ tool: dog or kid?

In the Netherlands, fireworks are only allowed one week a year, so they really go all out on New Year’s Eve—and often start a day or two before. Even if your dog is safely cooped up indoors, it will likely be a nervous wreck on the night. As severe anxiety attack can have long-term behaviour sequels, read below for some survival tips on Dutch Armageddon.

Before the big night

Get the dog gently used to the sound of fireworks weeks ahead of time .
Get a free firework audio CD from the Dutch Animal Protection Society, and play it at gradually higher volumes, always staying within the dog’s comfort zone.
Ask your local training school about‘vuurwerktraining (fireworks training). It often starts in September.
Towards the end of December, always carry a pouch of treats, and give a treat after each bang.
Consult your veterinarian weeks in advance if you would like your pet to be medicated on the night.

Getting through the night

So if you have no choice but to have your pet spend New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands, here are a few survival tips.
Do not leave your pet home alone on 31 December, especially if you live in an area with intense fireworks activity.
Have your last walk that night at 10pm at the latest.
Calmly comfort your dog if it asks for reassurance, and do not fuss.
Distract the dog with a game during peaks in fireworks activity (I always spend the midnight countdown with a Kong in my hand…)
Do not punish the dog if it shows unwanted behaviour related to its anxiety.

Prepare your home

Tape shut your letter box flap (teenagers + alcohol + fireworks = many bad ideas)
Close the curtains or blinds.
Leave soothing music on (the TV would show fireworks that night!)

New Year’s Eve and lost pets

The last week of December is one of the busiest periods for pet ambulances and dog shelters in the Netherlands.

In the event that your pet should run away, this is what could happen:

Rover causes a traffic accident and causes material damage, or worse.
Rover gets injured, or worse.
Rover bites someone in his panic.
Rover gets permanently lost (panicked dogs can run far).
Rover escapes and hides under a bush through the freezing night, with the near certainty of hypothermia.
Don’t let Rover be a statistic
ALWAYS walk the dog on the leash during the last week of December and the first week of January.
Ensure the dog is tagged and chipped.
Lock all potential escape routes on the night (e.g. garden gate, dog flap, front door, etc.)

About medication

Medication should really be a last resort for fireworks anxiety.
I strongly advise a gentle and gradual desensitisation approach instead, or a combination of medication and desensitisation.

Laure-Anne Visele is a pet photographer and dog writer. She also provides Dog services for expats in Holland. For more information, visit her website Canis bonus.

Photo credit: ©Canis bonus