Firework phobias are common in all breeds of dogs and cats, as well as other animals. Research indicates that the fear usually begins in puppies and kittens, but we don't know what the original stimulus was. It is very distressing when your dog or cat has a fear of fireworks, particularly because the animals often express their fear in destructive behaviour.

There are two common mistakes you might make, which often make the situation even worse. The first is to punish or reprimand the animal for being destructive. In their mind, you are reprimanding them for being frightened, and you will make them even more terrified. The second mistake often made is to try to reassure the animal by stroking and cuddling them whilst making soothing noises. The animal doesn't understand what you're saying but understands that they are receiving some kind of soothing action. This is then seen as some kind of reward for being scared, and so the animal will think they are right to be scared. The more you reprimand or reassure, the more frightened the animal gets, and the more frightened the animal gets, the more you try to reprimand or reassure them.

So, now you know you shouldn't reprimand your pet and you shouldn't reassure them, let's look at the right way to react. And the best way to react is ... not to react at all! Think about someone you know who has animals who aren't afraid of fireworks. What do they do during a fireworks display? Absolutely nothing. They carry on as normal, and so do the animals.

This program is going to teach you how to do absolutely nothing too. You will learn how to behave like an owner who isn't bothered, and your pet will learn how to behave like an animal who isn't bothered. The vicious circle of fear and reprimand/reassurance is then broken for both of you.

Do bear in mind that even a human undergoing therapy for a phobia will only be expected to reduce their panic down to a dislike. I've not yet treated a human with a phobia of needles who goes on to ask their GP if they can have an injection for the pure enjoyment of it! The same applies to your pet.

The object of this program is not to have the pet actually enjoy fireworks. Rather, the pet will be able to cope with fireworks without panic and distress.

What makes this program special?
This is not the first CD on the market which claims to desensitize animals to their fear of firework, but it is almost cer-tainly the most innovative. Why? Be-cause it helps both the pet AND the owner.
One of the biggest problems for a pet is picking up on the tension in their owners, and fireworks can create a very tense owner when they know how afraid their pet will be once the noises start.
Inevitably, a tense, worried owner will create a tense, nervous pet, simply com-pounding the fear of both parties. Both are trapped in a spiral of fear and tension.
This program is devised by a clinical hyp-notherapist and pet psychologist, making it very different from the simple “turn the volume down and up” CD’s currently available.

What does the CD contain?
There is a constant backing track of deeply relaxing sounds, which the owner can tune into, slowing their heartbeat and breathing so that they become to-tally calm and free of tension.
This then enables the pet to enjoy a calm and relaxed atmosphere - probably for the first time since pet and owner have been together near fireworks.
With both pet and owner totally calm, the therapy can begin - full instructions are included. Each track on the CD, and there are 6 in total, has the same level of relaxing sound - no need to turn it up and down - and the fireworks are introduced gently and steadily throughout the tracks.

The CD is in a stylish Digipack format and includes a 12 page full colour booklet with full instructions on how to use the CD and the theories behind the success of the programme.

The CD is 78 Minutes in length and has 6 audio tracks to play in conjunction with the instructions. Besides being a serious and effective tool for helping your pet cope with firework noises and other distrurbances, it is a superb gift idea for anyone with a pet !

How does it work?
With pet and owner spending quality re-laxed time together, the animal has noth-ing to fear—it is impossible to panic and relax at the same time.
A relaxed owner, gently stroking or grooming their pet on a daily basis as the CD takes them through the process is an entirely different person to a tense, nerv-ous owner praying that the animal will stay calm.
And, of course, the owner can play the CD on a night where fireworks are being let off, letting the animal feel their mutual relaxation, learning to associate fireworks with calm and comfort.

Where can I buy Happy Pets Fireworks Desensitisation CD?
It is available at many outlets across the UK including Vetinary Surgeries, Amazon.couk, and now you can buy it online from tjis site - just visit our online shop.

Helen Darby, LCCH Dip is a practicing clinical hypnotherapist, often working with clients with phobias.

This has enabled her to understand the mechanism of fear and the way we can so easily reinforce panic in our animals. She has also written extensively in the fields of pet psychology, holistic animal healing and animal-assisted therapy.

Her combined experience has enabled her to devise this unique program which is designed to desensitise both the pet and owner because, in her experience, a successful intervention needs joint co-operation.