It is officially fireworks season — Bonfire Night is here.
This means many dog owners will be looking for ways to keep their canines calm for when the fireworks start going off
Caitlin Miller, 17, took to Facebook to offer a nifty solution involving old socks.
The student shared that people need not buy stress bands or calming jackets, which can cost up to £40 each to soothe their pets.
Instead, she revealed how cutting off the end of each sock and placing them around the dogs’ heads can recreate the comforting weight of being cuddled.
The student from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, who owns two dogs, five-month-old Jack Russell named Cookie and nine-year-old Pomchi Ruby, said that the hack worked right way on her dogs.
She also shared images of her two dogs wearing the makeshift garments
Her helpful Facebook post which has been shared more than 15,000 times read: "For all those whose dogs are scared of fireworks.
Instead of buying anti stress bands or anything else off of the internet, just cut the two ends off a sock and put it on their head ensuring 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."
Miller also said that she had tried other techniques to calm her pets but that none had worked. Her older dog, Ruby, in particular was ripping out her fur due to anxiety.
It was during a Google search to try and help Ruby that, Miller said she came across an ‘anti-stress band.’ But Miller realised the bands looked a lot like everyday socks, and decided she could create a cheaper DIY version herself.
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,” adding that it seemed to be the only thing to keep her calm and happy.
Statistics from the RSPCA revealed that 62 percent of dog owners said their animals were visibly distressed when fireworks went off nearby.
They also said that since 2014, they received over 2,200 calls about firework related issues.
