There are so many dogs out there that are indeed suffering during the firework season. Trust me you are not alone in this fight. Studies have shown that at least 50% of all dogs display anxiety and fear to loud noises such as those like fireworks going off or thunder during a rainy day. Some dogs might display mild symptoms such as barking and panting and others might completely shut down shaking like a leaf.
If you own a dog like that I am sure you have tried everything to help them through those firework nights. Equally, if you have just bought a new puppy/dog you might be considering to just wait and see how they react and take action later. I am here to tell you with certainty that the best way forward and the best plan of action is to be proactive, even if you have a dog that seems happy during the firework season.
Habituating a puppy or young dog to the sound of fireworks is the first step. There are plenty of CDs and options on YouTube that you could use. With habituation we essentially teach the puppy that these noises are nothing to be afraid off. How to do it? Start by playing firework noises at the lowest possibly volume; your dog will be able to acknowledge the noise but should show no reaction to it. Whilst the firework music is playing, pair it with a pleasant activity. That might be giving your dog a chew to work through, a filled kong, a lickimat etc. Licking and chewing are calming activities for a dog. Equally you might choose to play a few games with them or do a bit of training. Just remember that your dog should show no reaction to the firework sounds; you might need to have the music playing in one room of the house whilst the dog is in another. Keep these session short; 2-3 minutes long. With time start upping the volume but make sure that the dog still shows no reaction to it. Practise in different rooms and different times during the day and evening. Habituation and desensitisation will work perfectly for puppies and dogs that show to fear or anxiety or even mild anxiety to fireworks.
Now, if your dog already shows fear and anxiety to fireworks there are a number of things that you could implement in order to help them. Body wraps are one of them. Thunder-shirts, ear muffs, even a t-shirt or a scarf can be used to help alleviate a dog’s stress. The key here is to start preparing your dog wearing these in order to ensure that they are happy and comfortable. Start at least a month in advance, pair the body wrap with something pleasant (eg food) and then remove the wrap. To start with, the dog might only tolerate the wrap for a few seconds, but the point is to ensure they are not getting distressed with the wrap; slowly work at increasing the period the dog can happily tolerate the body wrap. On firework nights, put the wrap on them before they start going off.
Another thing you can try is playing some calming music (there are some radio stations that play calming music specifically for pets on firework nights!). White noises can also be helpful for some dogs; just ensure you have used these noises before and your dog is not scared by them (you can do that by using the habituation methods explained above). Make sure you that your curtains and blinds are closed as some dogs can be scared of the lights that accompany the fireworks too.
To crate or not to crate? If your dog is crate trained then by all means you can use a crate. However, do not lock them in; leave the crate door open. Dogs that get too scared and panicky can easily injure themselves trying to escape from their confinement. Equally, in a situation like that the dog is making a very strong bad association with the crate (as a place they cannot escape from) and might not want to use the crate again. Instead of a crate you can set up a den for them; a place they feel safe at. You can put their bed there, their water bowl and perhaps a couple of chews and toys. Equally, if your dog chooses to hide under the table or behind the couch just let them; don’t force them to be in an area they are feeling safe in. Your dog might even choose to snuggle up with you; give them that comfort and reassurance that they are seeking. I promise you that by doing that you are not reinforcing their fear; you are simply letting them know that they are safe and that you are there for them. An analogy would be letting your child sleep with you after they had a nightmare; it’s about letting them feel safe again.
Please avoid leaving your dog home alone or even in a separate room by themselves. Being alone will only make their fear and stress levels go up. Be available for your dog during those days/nights and be there to reassure them or to even just keep an eye on them.
To walk or not to walk? If you have a fearful dog, I would advise to not walk them when there is a likelihood of fireworks going off. Changing their walk routine will make a huge difference; perhaps walking them a bit earlier and opt for a garden let out instead of going on a walk might be the best solution. If you don’t have a garden, you could use training pads or even a piece of Astroturf they could go on. Just remember that you will need to introduce these in advance and train your dog to use them.
More dogs go missing during the firework season than at any other time throughout the year. Keep your dog safe by ensuring they have a collar with an ID tag on, make sure their microchip is working and that it is registered to you and the right address, and if you must walk them (or you get caught outside when the fireworks start going off) make sure they are kept on lead and have a high vis vest on them.
Another thing you can try would be using essential oils and devices such as Adaptil. Seek out a holistic vet or practitioner who can guide you through the options available. For some dogs, anti-anxiety medications might be necessary; speak to your vet about it and work with them to find the best combination for your dog. Just remember that, as with everything else, you will need to start these medications well in advance in order to make sure that they will be effective.
These are just a few tips that could be very helpful for your dog. Try a combination of them and figure out what works for you and your dog. Be proactive and prepare your dog well in advance.
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