Be More Dog Workshop – Fear of Fireworks

Fireworks season is around the corner…are you and your dog ready?

Fireworks can cause huge amounts of distress and trauma for dogs and their owners. Collecchio in Italy made the move to ban all loud fireworks since 2018, and some countries have banned fireworks altogether. 

That’s a great move, and one that I welcome here, but what can we do to help our dogs cope in the UK?

My approach to this problem is broad. We can work on desensitisation protocols,but we can also look at our signals, and apply some sensible management options which can make a big difference in not only helping the fear, but preventing it from happening in the first place. 

Sadly, once a dog has decided that something is scary, it can be quite tricky to change the emotion attached to it, so if you have a puppy that hasn’t experienced fireworks yet then these tips can really help your dog too.

Sound desensitisation involves getting the dog used to the sound at very low volume levels and increasing the volume gradually as the dog learns to accept the noise. YouTube has plenty of firework videos. Find a variety of pops, fizzes, whistles and bangs. Starting with volume barely audible, play the sound while distracting your dog with food, play, or even a walk. An ideal response would be for your dog’s ear to flick towards the noise or maybe turn its head to look in the direction of the noise, but then to quickly carry on interacting with you.

This indicates that the dog has heard the sound but is not concerned by it. Do this for a minute or so then take a break. After a couple of repetitions you can increase the volume and duration gradually.

If at any point your dog shows signs of distress or fear, go back a step. So you will need to monitor your dog’s body language during the exercise. 

This exercise should be light and fun, go at your dog’s pace and never force your dog to endure the sound. Over time your dog should be able to accept the sounds at higher volumes, this can really help on 5th November.  

There is a good tutorial video on Battersea.org.uk showing the desensitisation process.

We are projecting thoughts and emotions to our dogs all the time so it is important that we project signals of safety and not worry. If we look panicked,or are acting out of character ourselves and don’t appear settled, this will confirm to the dog that there is something wrong.

Calming signals from you to your dog can really help project all the right messages, to show that there is no real danger and everything is OK. Relax, act normal, do all your normal routines and behaviours such as hoovering or watching TV.

You can also act sleepy, have a slouchy tired posture, yawn, lie down, pretend to sleep; all these moves will present that you are really settled and there is nothing to worry about. 

We communicate to our dogs with our body language, for me this is a really important part of the therapy. We should try not to look or sound worried.

Deep breathing and meditation will lower your own blood pressure and heart rate which in turn will feed to your dog that the noises outside are no threat. It is a joint experience, so the more normal, calm and relaxed you can be, the more you will help your dog.

Activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Also known as ‘rest and digest’, the parasympathetic nervous system is switched on when dogs (and all mammals) are relaxed, it is the opposite of the fight or flight response. In the rest and digest state, the body can digest, sleep, the heart rate decreases, and the dog is mentally and physically relaxed.

We can activate the PSN by stretching the fascia (soft tissues under the skin) with pressure and massage. Slow, purposeful, firm pressure strokes on your dog’s body will stimulate PSN and help bring the dog down and out of arousal. It’s a bit like the effect of a weighted blanket, or a thunder coat, or a therapy dog that lays on a person to prevent anxiety. 

There are video tutorials of this massage technique on my Facebook page.

Management is critical during firework season. Take your dog out for walks and wees during daylight, if you need to go out after dark then keep your dog on a lead even in the garden. Ensure all fences and windows are secure and that your dog has a microchip and that the details are correct (Petlog register). 

Close your curtains and put the TV on.

Classic FM usually play relaxing music for dogs on 5th November. Avoid walking in parks or near groups of people during the day, sadly there is a risk of people letting off fireworks in open public spaces, even during daylight. Stick to quiet streets, or you could even skip a walk on 5th November. If you have a friend or family member that lives somewhere quieter perhaps you can spend a few days there during the season.

There are supplements that may offer some help such as YuCalm, Nutracalm, Bach Flower Remedies, Skullcap and Valerian. These are best given a few days before to get into the system. In extreme cases your vet can prescribe something stronger to help your dog relax if you are very concerned.

Chews and toys may help, but don’t force them on your dog. Create a safe ‘den’ area where your dog can retreat, perhaps under the stairs or in between furniture in the front room. This may offer some comfort.Do give them the option to choose where they want to be.

It is never too early to begin desensitising your dog to fireworks and now is a great time to start.