Dogs & Fireworks: How To Keep Your Dog Calm And Happy

Are fireworks distressing for your furry friend? Learn how to create a comforting environment for a stress-free firework season.

Fireworks can be great fun for us, but not so much for our canine companions.

Fireworks can often trigger fear and anxiety; loud bangs, bright lights, and unfamiliar noises can be overwhelming and stressful for the dogs and other furry friends in our lives. As responsible pet owners, it’s essential to understand how to support them during firework displays and ensure they feel safe and secure.

Understanding Your Dogs’ Fear of Fireworks

A dogs’ fear of fireworks can be caused by a number of factors. Dogs may find fireworks much more upsetting than people as their hearing is much more sensitive than ours. Dogs may become uneasy and afraid when fireworks are around because of their unpredictable nature as well as the intensity and duration of a firework display.

Noise phobia

Loud noises can cause experience extreme fear or anxiety in our canine companions, a condition known as noise phobia. With their abrupt, loud explosions, fireworks can cause this fear any breed of dog. It is critical to identify anxiety in our pets, and symptoms can include: shaking, panting, pacing, excessive barking, hiding, or running away.

It’s vital to be able to identify the signs of anxiety in your dog during firework displays.

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Common signs of anxiety in dogs

Your dog may exhibit a variety of behaviours, including dilated pupils, frothing or drooling, excessive licking, loss of appetite, shedding and even destructive behaviour. By being aware of these symptoms, you can help your dog to settle by taking the appropriate action.

Preparing for Firework Season

In the run up to the firework season, it is helpful to practice a gradual desensitisation for your dog, along with some conditioning technique to counter the effects of the lights and sounds they will encounter.

This starts with the slow and low introduction of the sounds of fireworks (played back over a speaker initially on a quiet setting) paired with treats or other positive rewards so that your dog will associate the sound with a positive interaction. This will reduce their anxiety and as they improve, you should gradually increase the volume of the playback.

The Desensitisation Process

1. Start by exposing your dog to low-level firework sounds. You can find recordings or videos online that simulate firework noises.
2. Begin playing the sounds at a very low volume while engaging your dog in an enjoyable activity, such as playing with their favourite toy or practicing basic obedience cues.
3. Gradually increase the volume over several sessions, always monitoring your dog’s reaction and ensuring they remain calm and relaxed.
4. If at any point your dog shows signs of anxiety or distress, reduce the volume or take a step back in the process.
5. Repeat the process over multiple sessions, gradually increasing the volume each time until your dog can tolerate the sounds of fireworks without becoming overly anxious

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Work around desensitisation takes time, patience and consistence. Allow your dog to set the pace. Provide positive feedback, while ignoring negative behaviour. It is important to not rush the process and to not reward the negative behaviours.

If you experience any difficulties or if your dog’s behaviour shows no signs of improvement, you may want to seek advice from a professional dog trainer or a dog behaviour expert.

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Strategies for a calm dog

1. Avoid taking your dog out when there are likely to be fireworks

Take a long walk while it is still daylight. The law allows fireworks to be set off until midnight on Bonfire Night, so try to ensure your dog is tired out before dark, so you can wait until the fireworks have stopped before going out for their final toilet walk for the night. It can be helpful to introduce this change to their schedule gradually over the days running up to Bonfire Night to avoid a sudden disruption to their usual timetable.

2. Creating a safe and comfortable environment:

Prepare a designated safe space for your dog during fireworks displays. Choose an interior room where external noise is minimized, close the windows, and draw the curtains to reduce the sound and visual stimuli. Providing a comfortable bed or crate with familiar blankets can help create a sense of security.

Add their favourite blankets and toys to create a happy place to which they can retreat. Avoid locking your dog in a cage as the inability to get away may cause even more stress.

Draw the curtains or cover your windows, during firework displays, to reduce the light flashes which can be distressing to your dog.