It’s that time of year again when firework displays start happening on what can seem like every night. Half of all dogs are scared during these evenings, with many of them being affected for hours or days afterwards. For some dogs (3%), they can feel the impact for months afterwards. So what can we do as guardians to help support them?
Risk Factors
Some dogs can be more affected than others. Obvious factors include generally anxious dogs, including rescue dogs with a history of trauma. Certain breeds can also be affected, in particular herding breeds and collies. Dogs who have never been exposed to loud noises before find it difficult, but conversely, those born in October seem less affected.
Physical conditions also play a part. If your dog is one of the 25% affected by arthritis (80% if your dog is senior), or any other pain, then startling at loud noises could cause additional pain, making them extra fearful of noise. Speak to your vet about a medication review well in advance of November.
Neutering can also play a part, with early neutering being a risk factor. But if you have a female older than 3 years, it’s possible that spaying can help them improve – speak to your vet for advice.
Signs of Panic
Some of the panic signs that we see in our dogs are really obvious: pacing and panting, trembling and vocalisation (whining and barking). But there might be more subtle signs such as becoming more clingy or hiding away. Maybe they become hypervigilant, watching at the window in anticipation of the bangs. Or you may see other changes in general behaviour, such as being startled by quiet noises like car doors, or refusing to go outside after dark.
How to help
There are many things that we, as guardians, can do to help our dogs get through the firework season with less stress. The big message here is to START EARLY. Whether it’s beginning training in September, or shutting the curtains at 3pm, the key is to get them nice and calm beforehand. If you are creating a safe den for them, get it set up in the weeks leading up to 5th November. This way, they have time to get used to it as a place of relaxation, and won’t link it’s appearance with scary fireworks.
Create a calm environment using all the senses
Sight: Shut those curtains, and put on the lights, including outdoor ones. This stops sudden flashes disturbing them. You can provide a snug den for them to go in – maybe they already have a crate, or you can throw a blanket over a coffee table for them. The blanket will help block out light too, and muffle sounds. Don’t be tempted to use freshly washed blankets – you want to give them comforting smells. You can even add in things like a recently worn jumper to help comfort them.
You can introduce other calming smells. Scents such as lavender or chamomile have been shown in studies to help dogs relax. You can opt for blended pet specific sprays such as Pet Remedy or Adaptil. These can help the humans to relax too. If you mix your own essential oils, please do your research, as some can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Sound: Get some background music on. Something with a beat, such as soft rock or reggae is good to mask the bangs, or try some white/brown noise (either a dedicated noise machine, or search for online videos). If you are planning on putting on Classic FM, practise this beforehand. If they only ever hear it on 5th November, they might begin to find Beethoven a bit scary!
Taste: Well, maybe not taste, but the act of chewing can help release serotonin and naturally calm the dog down. Using lickimats can also be an option if they are finding it too hard to chew. This is definitely one to start in the late afternoon: your dog may be too upset to eat if they are already scared by the fireworks. So get them chilled out with a chew well beforehand.
Touch: Some long, calming strokes along the whole length of their body, and along the whole length of their ears helps dogs to relax. You can also look at TTouch bodywork (massage) or Accupressure. Please be mindful that some dogs may not cope with physical touch when they are upset. Use the three second rule: stroke for three seconds and pause. Only continue if them move towards you. And always let them move away if they need to.
Set a calming example
Your dog may look to you to check whether the noises outside are anything to worry about. So snuggle up together on the sofa with lots of blankets and watch a feel-good movie together. If you stay relaxed, you send a message that they are in a safe place too. Calmly stroking them will also help you to relax.
Behaviour Modification
This is one to start a month or two before Fireworks Season (set a reminder for September!). Because of the many pitfalls, it is really important to do this under the guidance of a trained professional. You can also look at Sounds Scary from the Dog’s Trust (available for free), which will help you to desensitise your dog to loud sounds. Consistency is key though, so be prepared to commit to the full 8 weeks, and keep practising throughout the year.
Training techniques such as Counter-Conditioning help your dog associate scary events such as loud bangs with good things like treats. But this must be done very carefully as it can backfire if done wrong. Imagine if you ate a chocolate biscuit every time you saw a spider. It could cure your arachnophobia, or put you off chocolate for life! Seek advice from a qualified trainer or behaviourist to help formulate a plan.
Other training techniques such as desensitisation, works by gradually introducing your dog to sounds at a level that they can cope with, such as playing quiet firework noises in the background. Think of it like exposure therapy for humans. But go too fast, and your dog’s general anxiety levels may increase.
There’s no shame in medication
We have worked hard to remove the stigma from human mental health: no-one would dream of criticising their friend for taking medication to help. It’s exactly the same for our dogs. If your dog is affected by Fireworks, speak with your vet about the options available. There are so many to choose from now, including short-term that last for just a couple of hours to longer-term anti-anxiety medication. There is no shame in getting medical support to prevent your best friend from suffering.
Ask me for more guidance
If you would like more help in supporting your dog through this tricky season, contact me for a training consultation. I will review your dog’s needs in full, give you advice to put into pace right there and then, write up a full training plan and support to help you navigate all the way through.
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