Rightly or wrongly, fireworks season is on its way and we all know dogs and fireworks aren’t a good mix. So how can we help our dogs to feel comfortable and safe on an often anxiety-inducing night? If your dog barks at fireworks, it can make an already distressing time worse. With 45% of dog owners building dens, closing the curtains, and topping up water bowls this year, we are here to help you prepare in advance and take steps towards addressing a behaviour problem that simply cannot be ignored.
Is your dog scared of fireworks? Here’s some tips on how to desensitise a dog to fireworks
- Join local groups and forums on social media. By joining such groups and politely asking people to share any firework plans they may have, you can ensure that you are all set up at home to help your dog to cope. This will mean you are not having to scramble around for calming aids, thus potentially adding to the stressful environment.
- Ensure your property is secure. Should unexpected noises occur, many animals will choose flight over fight and may escape. Make sure they are microchipped just in case.
- Ignore noises yourself. Your dog will always look to you for comfort and reassurance so should you react to the loud sounds, they are more likely to pick up on them and get agitated too. Act normally and give lots of praise for calm behaviour.
- Play loud sounds soundtracks in the run up to events. By playing such soundtracks you can gradually start to increase volume and play at different times of the day or night. This will, over time, help your dog to desensitise to the noises. Ideally this would be done in an essential socialisation period of 3-16 weeks, but it has been proven to help animals of all ages. Check out our free soundtrack on Spotify and SoundCloud
- Play music: Play music that is consciously designed for calming dogs in a stressful time such as when fireworks are happening and other loud sounds. Many radio stations offer programmes for dogs to play on certain dates that are renowned for fireworks. Playing music is a great way to drown out the fireworks and help relax your furry friend.
- Consult your vet. Speaking to your vet well in advance means you will be able to obtain calming medication that may help your dog if they really struggle over the period.
- Speak to a dog behaviourist. If the problem continues or gets worse, speaking to a professional is paramount. We have highly qualified professionals that can help you wherever you are in the world. Click here to get in touch.
Ultimately, we all know that dogs and fireworks aren’t a good mix, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something to preempt the anxiety and put measures in place to keep your furry friend calm and happy when the time comes.