I have been hearing scary stories from my friends about how they really don't like the bangs and crashes that go along with Halloween and Bonfire night. I hope that all their companions will make sure they are all safe and sound at home with some background music on to help them feel everything is OK.

I am really lucky that I got used to lots of different sounds when I was really little. Everytime we had a feed with our Mum, Peg, Sue used to play us an exciting CD of noises and sounds. We hadn't heard anything quite like them before but because our Mum wasn't bothered and we were having some lovely warm milk - we weren't bothered either. As we got older Sue started playing it louder and louder. Until it was as loud as the real thing. We had fireworks, helicopters, trains, low flying jets, everything we might meet later in life. So we reckon we are bombproofed from birth nearly ( well ten days old anyway - when we can start to hear). My friend Einich went to the Windermere Airshow when she was a really little pup and didn't worry at all - and now she's training to be a search and rescue dog like Dottie.

Sue says that you can do it with older dogs but you just have to be more patient and make sure you stay jolly and happy while its on to make sure the dog thinks everything is fine.There's a few weeks left to practice it - you can get the CD's at lots of petshops. But keep it really quiet to start with, with lots of goodies, extra special treats and a happy voice.

Anyway hope everyone stays safe and cosy at home. See you next week

Scout