How to Get Your Dog Out From Under the Bed

I don't like fireworks- a terrible thing to admit perhaps, but it is the truth. I don't particularly dislike them, but popping noises and coloured lights can only hold my attention for so long when it is cold, dark, raining and- at five foot three inches- I am having to constantly crane my neck to see anything.
I am not alone in my opinion- a good 90% of the canine population agrees with me, and when the 5th of November rolls round once more they will whine, bark, scratch, defecate, hide under the bed and generally make clear their dislike.
They are for the most part ignored: a survey showed that the vast majority of owners considered a fearful response to loud noises by their dogs to be normal, and would not mention it to a vet. In reality though, however amusing or exasperating your find such behaviours, living in fear is bad for your dog and you should probably take measures to help.
Traditionally two methods have been used to 'cure' dogs of their fear of loud noises- the first is systematic desensitisation through repeated exposure i.e. accustoming dogs a variety of loud noises. The problems with this approach are that it is both time consuming and labour intensive so not appropriate fpr most dog owners.
The second option is medication- benzodiazepines are often prescribed on an 'as required' basis- however, the drugs need to be administered in advance of whatever elicits the dog's fear and animal responses to such medications can vary drastically.
A third solution has now been suggested: using pheromones.
DAP, the Dog Appeasing Pheronome, was developed in France to help with separation problems in puppies and parents, and is believed to have a calming effect (it is taken from bitches after giving birth).
British vets Sheppard and Mills (2003) decided to see if its effects would help to calm dogs during fireworks displays.
Using volunteers from their surgery, they asked owners to fill in behavioural questionnaires and were interviewed regularly during the 5 week test period about behavioural changes observed. All the dogs were exposed to a minimum of four firework events, including at least one that lasted more than an hour.
The results showed that of the fourteen 'fear' behaviours identified, those thought to indicate a more intense reaction- such as continuous running, destruction of property, barking and drooling excessively were decreased with the treatment. This calmed them sufficiently in many cases to make a proper risk assessment of the situation, frequently followed by a return to normal behaviour.
The success of the study needs to be replicated of course, but it appears DAP may be the key to a peaceful fireworks night.
I wonder if it only works on dogs...

Vetinary record 2003 152: 432- 436 'Evaluation of dog-appeasing pheromone as a potential treatment for dogs fearful of fireworks' Sheppard and Mills