Photo: KoolShooters

Why do dogs bark after an earthquake?

stuff.co.nz - Helping your dog cope after an earthquake | Stuff.co.nz

What is the most used bullet in the world?

9mm. The 9mm round is the single most popular handgun round in the world, including in the U.S. It's used by everyone from federal, state and local...

Last updated Nov 26, 2022

How much should you have after all bills are paid?

Key Takeaways. The rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must-have or must-do. The...

Last updated Sep 3, 2020

Promotion

Dogs are hyper sensitive to big noises and will react to a loud and unexpected sound with a surge of adrenalin which puts them into a "fight or flight" state. I was deeply saddened to see there had been another earthquake on Monday morning. Severe earthquakes can be a frightening experience for everyone in the family, and this includes your pet, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on how you can help your dog get through the situation.

IF DOGS ESCAPE

The ancestors to our domestic dog - wolves - are hyper sensitive to big noises and will react to a loud and unexpected sound with a surge of adrenalin which puts them into a "fight or flight" state. This drives them to escape to safe territory immediately and is designed to protect the wolf from potentially dangerous situations. While dogs are normally more robust and confident than wolves, if they have a traumatic experience they'll be inclined to react in the same way. But while wolves are conditioned to escape for safety, when our dogs do this they actually place themselves in more danger out on busy roads and away from our care. Wolves have a very good ability to navigate but these tendencies have diminished in dogs, so they can easily become lost. This is especially true when a dog has bolted out of fear, so it's best not to assume your dog will find its way home easily.

* Woman gives birth during quake

* Quake hits during honeymoon

* How to deal with quake stress

Supplied When a dog has bolted out of fear, so it's best not to assume your dog will find its way home easily. In this stressed state, your dog may become fearful of unknown people (sometimes even people they do know), and will be hyper-sensitive to being caught. They will be in hiding and may not come when called, so it is important to actively search. * Look everywhere on your property - check sheds, garages, under the house etc. Cats particularly go under buildings and some dogs do too. * Ask your neighbours (it can help to take a photo if they are not familiar with your dog).

How did people purify water in 1800s?

In the late 1800 s, many cities in the United States began to adopt water filtration processes for city drinking water. The early systems involved...

Last updated Aug 18, 2020

How do narcissists treat their children?

A narcissistic parent will often abuse the normal parental role of guiding their children and being the primary decision maker in the child's life,...

Last updated May 14, 2019

Promotion

* Phone animal control. In Christchurch call CCC Animal Control on (03) 941 8999, and in Wellington call Wellington City Council Dog Find on (04) 801 3222. * Call local animal rescue centres and SPCAs, to check if your dog has ended up there.

* Check lost and found sections on Trade Me or www.petsonthenet.co.nz.

* Put up flyers in your neighbourhood or post them in letterboxes.

* Inform local vets in case your dog has been injured and taken there. * Get anyone with a voice that's familiar to your dog to be out calling its name and if you have another dog, take it with you - your dog will recognise the bark of its companion which may help lure it in. * Longer term, you can try food stations or appropriate baited traps which you may be able to get from your council or SPCA.

POST TRAUMA CARE

Your dog may be in a persisting phobic state if it is showing signs of distress, has highly dilated pupils, is shaking and panting or if it has stopped eating. Extreme stress can even cause a dog to defecate, urinate or vomit. Anything that imitates an earthquake can trigger your dog's fear - loud noises, shaking, things moving or falling, thunder, lightning or big storms. Even a truck rumbling past can be enough to set off a dog that has had a traumatic experience like this. Supplied Mark Vette is one of the world's leading animal psychologists and behaviourists. If you are expecting an event that could set your dog off again (such as an aftershock or a storm), here are some things you can do: * Create a "safe zone" for your dog - ideally a crate padded with blankets located in the centre of the home. Include a worn piece of your clothing to provide the additional comfort of your smell if you would like. This essentially creates a "den" for your dog where it will feel safe - they like small enclosed spaces at scary times. Make sure the crate is strong so the dog is protected from falling items or place it under a dining table. * Have food and water in the same room so your dog does not need to leave except to toilet.

Is it worth doing a 2 day cleanse?

Short cleanses of 1-3 days are excellent for budging a small amount of weight off to start the process of weight loss by following a healthy eating...

Last updated Jun 22, 2022

How do you win alone?

With the exception of medical check-ins, the participants are isolated from each other and all other humans. They may "tap out" at any time, or be...

Last updated Apr 17, 2019

Promotion

* Play music or put the TV up loud to create a buffer of familiar sound from any scary noises.

* Use toys to get them playing and distracted.

* Make sure your dog is restricted to the house - scared dogs will go to extreme lengths to escape, jumping through windows or chewing through doors to get out. * Stay calm and your dog will likely follow suit - they take your lead. * Speak to your vet about drug facilitated therapy - there are sedatives and anti-anxiety medications you can use to relax your dog if it is having a severe reaction. Alternatively something like Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic option - this is not as effective in extreme cases, but you can try it.

PREVENTING THE FEAR GOING FORWARD

Once you've gotten through the initial frightening experience, the best thing you can do for your dog is to work on preparing them with desensitisation training. If there is another incident (such as an aftershock), it will help them be more resilient and able to handle the experience without becoming phobic. This training is not difficult to do, and it can make a world of difference. If you'd like to look at doing this therapy to help your dog cope in stressful situations, you can go to dogzen.com or email me on mark@dogzendo.com and I will do what I can to help you out. Mark Vette is one of the world's leading animal psychologists and behaviourists, who has been studying and training dogs for more than 40 years. He has seen - and solved - every behavioural issue imaginable and is known as the star of the TV show 'Purina Pound Pups to Dog Stars'. For more information about Mark's training, go to www.dogzen.com

stuff.co.nz - Helping your dog cope after an earthquake | Stuff.co.nz

Are Nigerian soldiers strong?

Nigeria's military is ranked the fourth in Africa and thirty-fifth in the world with respect to strength. This is according to data from Global...

Last updated Jun 25, 2018

Was Battlefield 4 a success?

Battlefield 4 was met with positive reception for its multiplayer mode, gameplay and graphics, but was criticized for its single-player campaign...

Last updated Jan 12, 2022

Promotion

What is the most sought after ammunition?

The 9mm is the most popular, and therefore the most common, ammunition in the United States. While it isn't a runaway in terms of outselling its...

Last updated Jun 13, 2020

Promotion

What does pork mean for snipers?

Professionally instructed gunmen Professionally instructed gunmen, affectionately known as PIGs, make up the majority of the scout sniper platoon,...

Last updated Jun 23, 2019