25/10/2022
Dogs and Fireworks, a survival guide.
Owners, please read the first three paragraphs, even if you don’t feel the need to read any more. If your puppy has not yet heard any fireworks or your dog has never reacted before, please don’t assume they will always be fine. The adage “prevention is better than cure” is SO true when it comes to fireworks. It is far better to put in a little effort to keep them calm. Dogs have no way of understanding what is happening, so it is your job to make it as stress free as possible.
• Be aware of how sensitive your dog’s ears are. They can hear things four times further away than we can. That means things that we find a little bit loud could be deafening to them. Also, a dog can hear at a much higher range of frequencies, so they might find things too loud that we cannot even hear. It would be irresponsible to take them to a firework display to ‘get them used to it’.
• Think ahead. Give your dog a walk, in daylight hours if possible. The exercise may help to relax them. Feed them before fireworks are likely to start as they may be too anxious to eat later. Close your windows and curtains to muffle the sounds. Act as normally as possible, as your dog will quickly pick up on changes in your behaviour. Put on the TV or Radio or play some music to disguise external noises.
• Perhaps most importantly, react in as positive a way as possible at the sound of the first bang. The first unusual sound may startle your dog and they will likely look to you, to understand how to react. If you ignore your dog they will make their own mind up and it could go either way. If you show concern or try to comfort them you will reinforce the idea that the bangs are something to be scared of. Better to pretend your dog is a three-year-old child. Put on a big smile and say ‘Oooh, listen to that’, ‘fireworks, how exciting’ or similar words. At the same time scatter some treats on the floor that you have put in a tub earlier. Begin a game with them, throw a ball or toy. Distraction and cheerfulness work wonders. Remember to stay calm yourself or your dog will quickly pick up your anxiety.
With these things in place most dogs will cope well.
Other simple preparations:
Close cat flaps and dog flaps.
Make sure your garden is secure.
If you need to open the front door, shut your dog safely inside a room first.
If your dog shows signs of anxiety.
Top up your dog’s water bowl. Anxious dogs pant more and get thirsty.
If your dog prefers to go away and hide, let them. Leave them alone and don’t try to comfort them – this is your pet’s way of coping.
Create a den – dogs might like a den behind the sofa, in a quiet room or even a cupboard. If your dog is used to a crate then covering it with an old duvet is perfect. Put some blankets or cushions in the den to help absorb sound. A favourite toy or an unwashed item of your clothing can give reassurance.
If your dog seeks reassurance from you in stressful times, comfort them as you would normally, ignoring them at this point would only make things worse as they wouldn’t understand your withdrawal.
Stay calm. Keep your tone, mood and behaviour as normal as possible. If you get anxious or comfort your dog more than usual, this can make your dog more unsettled.
Never punish your pet. It is not their fault they are scared, and it adds to their anxiety.
If you know your dog is likely to react badly there are other preparations you can make beforehand.
If you know your dog is likely to need a den, set it up a few weeks in advance. Give your dog access to this den at all times. Give healthy treats and praise when your dog uses it to build a positive association, but don’t force them to use it if they prefer to hide elsewhere.
Playing a desensitisation CD is a good way of getting them used to sounds, including fireworks. If your dog hears fireworks at a young age in a safe, calm environment, they are more likely to be calm and unafraid when they hear real fireworks. Start at the lowest possible volume and gradually increase the volume and duration of sounds each day over several weeks. Reward and praise any calm behaviours and if you see anxiety, stop immediately and take it back to the previous volume – only progress when they are calm.
If your dog has shown fear of fireworks before, try giving herbal calming products to help reduce your dog's anxiety. These often work better if you start a few days or weeks beforehand and are readily available from any good pet shop. If your dog has any health problems or is on any other medication, please speak to your vet first.
Lastly:
Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date – there is more chance you will be reunited if they run away from home.
