What is a Safe Haven?
A safe haven is somewhere your dog can go to, where they know they will feel safe, and it is somewhere great where only positive things happen. The idea of a safe haven, is that your dog can retreat there, and when they do so, you can't touch them, you can invite them out, e.g. to go on a walk, but they have control over whether they do or not. Having choice can help many dogs to feel more secure, and for worried dogs, having a Safe Haven to retreat to can help them to feel less worried.
Safe havens can be great for dogs who are worried by fireworks, because it gives them somewhere to go to, where they can feel more calm (although it is essential to set the safe haven up outside of firework season, so that they already have positive associations).
How do you make a safe haven?
There is no exact rule as to how to make a safe haven, but here are a few tips.
Choose a location- preferably somewhere quiet and without a lot of traffic. If your dog is worried by fireworks or sounds, then also preferably away from windows.
Create a comfy bed- crates tend to work very well, because you can cover them with a blanket and put cushions in so they feel very comfy and cosy, which a lot of dogs like (just never shut them in this crate). If using a crate, I would recommend putting a towel or blanket underneath the bottom tray to prevent potentially worrying noises. If this isn't an option, then any dog bed or cushions will work, especially if they are somewhere out of the way, such as an under-stairs area.
Make it a great place to be- you want your dog to choose to be in their safe haven, so we want to build up positive experiences with it. Never force your dog into the crate, shut them in the crate, or do anything that may worry them when they are in the crate. When your dog isn't around, you can randomly place Kongs, chews or toys in the crate for them to find.
Pheromones- this is a completely optional step, but using pheromones, such as Adaptil plug-ins, can help your dog to feel secure, and so putting a plug-in near the safe haven can encourage the dog to use the Safe Haven as a place of safety.
Don't like the look of a crate?
If you don't like the way crates look, one option is to put the crate somewhere you won't see it anyway, another is to decorate it. You can go as big or as small as you like, whether you cover the crate with a nice blanket, buy a pretty crate cover, or build your crate into a stylish piece of furniture!
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!
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