It's that time of year again, where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate another year of Pride since the Marriage Equality Act was passed in 2015. What better way to commemorate the occasion than to attend (or even march in) the parade?! Every year, we see animals – mainly dogs – strutting their stuff at Pride whilst rocking glittery, rainbow chic! Nobody can resist greeting or petting them as the cuteness is too much. But is your pet parade-ready?
Let's see...
What makes a brilliant parade? The crowd, of course. There will be a lot of people around, so if your dog accompanies you to the event, you will need to ensure that they are emotionally and socially prepared for it. Crowds of people can be very overwhelming for animals, which may result in your dog becoming anxious or scared. If you think that your pet will react this way, it's probably best to leave them at home, and work on improving their confidence more gradually in calmer situations first.
If you have a puppy that has been vaccinated and is going through the socialisation period (up to 12 weeks of age), then bringing them to the parade might be a fun way of introducing them to new people and situations. Just remember to give them an 'out' if they find the situation scary or stressful, and don't keep them out for too long either; an hour is generally plenty.
Even if your dog is as cool as iced tea on a hot summer day, ensure to praise good behaviour by carrying a small bag of treats with you at the parade to reward them with throughout the event. And the most important- don't forget water!
Treat them when they do something good, like greet a new person with friendliness, or perform any command at your request. This may offset any worries they may have about being in a new place, and they will focus on you rather than the stimuli around them.
Exposing your pet to as many new people, animals, places and situations as possible during the socialisation period is key to raising a happy, friendly dog. Socialisation is essential to promoting good mental health for your pet, and also ensures that as they get older, you can feel confident
introducing them to anyone or bringing them anywhere.
If you have any concerns relating to animal behaviour, call any of our clinics to book in with the vet or nurse.
Looking forward to your next visit...
