A safe New Year’s Eve for dog and owner
The year 2021 is almost over. While we ring in the New Year with a bang, New Year’s Eve doesn’t feel like a celebration for most of our four-legged friends. The loud bangs and bright flashes of light don’t contribute to your dogs happyness. On the contrary, fireworks often cause a lot of anxiety and stress for pets, especially if they also have to go outside. These 5 tips will help your dog get through New Year’s Eve.
Tip 1: Recognize stress in your dog
Many people have no idea when their dog is scared. Of course, dogs cant talk, but you can tell a lot from their behaviour and posture. For example, you can see that the dog is overly alert, walks around nervous and restless, doesnt want to eat and keeps running away. Less obvious is when the dog adopts a low body posture. The ears can go flat or sideways. In addition, some dogs lick their lips a lot, pant and yawn when they are frightened.
Tip 2: Relaxed atmosphere in the house
Make sure things are as normal as possible in the house at the turn of the year, and that the dog feels save and at home. Turn on the radio or television so it’s not quiet in the house. Close the curtains and turn on the lights. Above all, make sure that the dog can get to his own safe hiding place or favourite place and that there’s water and food there. Does your four-legged friend want to snuggle up to you? Protect your furniture and offer extra shelter with a nice dog blanket. EQuest 4dogs, for example, offers fine dog blankets as well as dog pillows.
Tip 3: Provide distractions
Distractions can help the dog reduce stress or anxiety. For example, give the dog a bone to chew on. Even better are mind games, which really force the dog to focus on something else. For example, play hide-and-seek with a favourite toy or give a ball with treats. Distracting the dog may not always be easy. If the dog is hiding in a safe place, just let him lie there.
Tip 4: Go outside well prepared
Around New Year’s Eve, fireworks can be a real headache for dog and owner. An unexpected bang can make the dog panic and try to run away. That is why you should make sure that your dog has an extra tight leash during this period. The best thing is a harness, because that garment is impossible for a dog to get out of. EQDOG and DOG Copenhagen, for example, offer excellent and very reliable harnesses, collars and leashes. Take an extra long morning walk on New Year’s Eve and do a final round early in the evening. And make sure that your dog is visible so that people with firework notice you well ahead.
Tip 5: Stay calm
For many dogs, their own boss is the centre of their lives. Your behaviour therefore has a big effect on the dog’s behaviour. Are you acting nervous? The dog will pick up on that. So, just stay calm and act as if the bangs are normal. Relax and watch TV or play a game with the family. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed the dog will be.
More tips?
At NOHO we like to share useful tips with you. So, do you have any questions or a great tip for us? Let us know by calling +31(0)6 109 104 63 or emailing info@noho.nl.
What will make a webshop a success?
In times of Covid, a good webshop is extra important to complement your physical store. Because not everyone can or dares to visit the store. NOHO agency likes to make it easy for you and show which elements are important in a webshop for (new) customers.
Locally findable
Of course you can proudly mention your website address on your store front, but it is also important to be locally findable online. This makes picking up orders even more attractive. Create a Google My Business profile for free.
Beautiful pictures
When you buy something, you naturally want to see it first. Therefore, provide beautiful, high-quality, well-lit photos of your products. One is not enough. Make sure you show the product well from multiple angles. Do you need photos of the products of one of our brands? Call or email us and we will send you a nice selection or give you access to the brand’s image bank.
Beautiful videos
Beautiful photos are the basis, but customers also prefer to see moving images. Certainly from extra functionalities or handy instructions. Instruction videos of, for example, how to properly put on Pomppa dog coats or how to attach the safety lights by Orbiloc, you can easily embed. EQDOG also shares some nice product and instruction videos on YouTube.
Clear product details
Details convince customers. Therefore, make sure that you provide a complete, correct and clear product description. Be sure to keep a clear size chart and, if necessary, provide useful instructions to determine the correct size.
Clear about shipping
Free shipping can boost online sales. But it must be affordable. In any case, be clear about the shipping costs and, if necessary, use a threshold amount to convince potential buyers and order more.
Be there
Place your full contact details – telephone number, e-mail address and visiting address (with opening hours) – on the website. This increases confidence in your webshop. The best area to place your contact details are in the footer (fixed bar at the bottom) and also provide a menu button with the name “Contact”.
Be social
Of course you want customers to talk about your products and service, so that they also attract others to your (web) store. You do this by being active on social media, among other things. Link your webshop with clear icons to your social media. A small note: a static Facebook page is not enough. For example, you can create beautiful Instagram stories every week and invite your customers to respond to your posts.
Share reviews
Experiences of others can convince even the biggest doubters. Reviews about products or even on your store are therefore invaluable. Offer customers the opportunity to respond to each product and the shopping experience itself. Place the social media icons with each product and ask, for example, with every order or in a mail afterwards: do you also want to share your experience online?
We can help!
Do you need images, videos or product details for your webshop? Let us know: give us a call at +31 (0) 6 109 104 63 or send a mail to info@noho.nl.