ORLANDO, Fla. – During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms and fireworks can often frighten our four-legged friends.
Whether it’s booms from Fireworks at the Fountain on July 4 in Downtown Orlando, or lightning, there are some products on the market designed to calm our fur babies, including one invented by an Orlando man.
News 6 producer Brooke Savage is trying noise-canceling headphones on her dog, Harley.
“Whenever there are thunderstorms or fireworks outside, Harley starts to shiver and pant and there’s no calming her down,” said Savage.
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The headphones, manufactured by PAWNIX, are designed to swaddle Harley’s head. The price of the headphones is $199.
The company says it uses the same noise-canceling technology found in human headphones, allowing pups to enjoy music and soothing sounds. During a recent thunderstorm, Harley seemed calm for the first time.
“It has been effective because it does get her to stop shivering, which is the most important part,” said Savage.
My high-energy, 18-month-old Labradoodle, Lucy, regularly pulls while walking on a leash. However, she followed right along on a bike ride and was able to get her energy out with the Bike Tow Leash, a biking attachment that helps prevent dogs from steering or tipping the bike.
“If dogs have too much pent-up energy, then they’re going to display it in a lot of ways that might be destructive,” said Mike Leon, an Orlando resident who invented the Bike Tow Leash.
Leon is an avid bicyclist who trains service dogs and wanted to take his dog, and others under his care, for a ride, but he hit a roadblock when looking for an attachment.
“None of them appeared safe enough for me or for the raising organization to accept us biking with the dog. So, I had to come up with something to do that,” said Leon.
Leon, a mechanical engineer, then invented the Bike Tow Leash. It not only works on bicycles but also wheelchairs.
“While training the service dogs, we would do a four-mile ride before the training class and we’d be the model student,” said Leon.
Leon says he designed the leash with a flexible, smart arm to limit tipping and injuries. The cost of the device is $183.
“Too much energy is 90% of all your behavior problems. Whether it be anxiety for fireworks or thunderstorms, [releasing energy] certainly helps,” said Leon.
Aside from distraction and exercise, calming supplements for dogs can also help reduce anxiety and restlessness during stressful times.
“My parents’ dogs, especially with the fireworks, they just never stop barking and they pant,” said Clickorlando.com writer and producer, Christie Zizo.
Zizo says her parents give their pooches CBD treats, specifically designed for dogs.
“I think they’re pretty effective for the dogs that I’ve used them for,” said Zizo.
The American Kennel Club recently examined CBD in dogs. It reported several success stories, especially for anxiety and pain. However, it is important to look for a product with the National Animal Supplement Counsel (NASC) Seal of Quality Assurance and ensure your dog will react well to the supplement by first trying smaller doses.
“Full Spectrum is the difference though. A lot of what you get in the stores is broad spectrum or it’s a hemp treat,” said Zizo. “It’s got hemp, but not a ton of CBD and what they’re really relying on are things like valerian root and chamomile, things that are calming, but the CBD stuff is more potent.”
To learn more about how to keep your pet calm during the loud nature of the summer season, contact your pet’s local care provider or consult animal experts.
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