A dog owner has shared a clever hack to help soothe dogs on Bonfire Night - a time that often agitates animals scared by the sound of fireworks.
Caitlin Miller, 17, revealed her nifty trick on Facebook on Sunday (25 October), hoping that it might help others and their dogs as fireworks season kicks in.
Miller, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, explained how people needn't buy stress bands or calming jackets - which can cost up to £40 ($52) each - as they can just use old socks instead.
The student revealed how she cuts the end off each sock before placing them around her dogs' heads, in turn giving them the comforting feeling of being cuddled.
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Miller claimed her method works straightaway, having instantly relaxed her five-month-old Jack Russell Cookie and nine-year-old Pomchi Ruby.
Posting photos of her two dogs wearing the makeshift garments on Facebook, Miller wrote: "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."
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Her post has shown just how common the problem is, having been shared more than 15,000 times and attracting nearly 7,000 comments.
Miller said she'd tried various other techniques in the past to help calm her pets, but none had worked.
She explained: "My older dog, Ruby, had been afraid of fireworks all of her life.
"She began to rip out patches in her fur due to this anxiety, so last year we then took it further to the vet.
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"They gave her anxiety pills and a cone. The anxiety pills didn't do anything and the cone only made her more uncomfortable than she already was."
Miller went onto Google to see if she could find anything that might help, and came across an 'anti-stress band'.
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She said: "It gives them a sensation of being cuddled and of course covered their ears which blocked out some of the sounds of the fireworks."
But Miller realised the bands had a strong resemblance to everyday socks, and decided she could create a cheaper DIY version herself.
She added: "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.
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"I found one that wouldn't be too tight but not too loose either.
"After trying it I realised it was the only thing that kept her calm and happy."
Last year RSPCA research 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.
Featured Image Credit: Deadline News