Your dog’s behaviour when fireworks go off may appear irrational, and maybe even at times extreme. The noise, flashes and smell of fireworks can be extremely confusing and fear inducing for dogs.
A dog’s brain, as ours, is programmed to react to the environment to protect from harm, perceived or real. When a dog experiences stress or fear this activates the brain to send information, via chemical messages, to the body to prepare to take some form of defensive or protective action.
This emotional response is displayed with a myriad of reactions and/or behaviours, which can be displayed in many different ways, and can vary between individuals or situations.
Reactions and how they may be presented in behaviour.
Flee – which could cause them to try and escape or hide, which puts them at risk of running off when on a walk.
Freeze – could be that they stay still in one place, and/or trembling, they may be reluctant to go out in the garden to toilet, or even eat.
Fidget – they may have excessive activity, panting, jumping up, destructive behaviour, such as ripping up bed or toys. Fight – which may cause them to bark or lunge at windows or doors.
What you can do to help.
The main problem with fireworks is that they are often random and unpredictable. You will need to consider when they are most likely to be set off, bearing in mind people have them the weekend before, on the day, and weekend after the 5th November, and fireworks are now often used on new years eve too.
Ideally having a well-practiced desensitisation program in place will have prepared your dog to be less fearful, calmer and better able to cope.
If you have not had the time to establish this fully or successfully, there is plenty you can do to keep your dogs arousal levels low and positive and these need to be put in place the days/weeks leading up to when fireworks are expected:
Stick to walks in areas your dog is familiar with.
Avoid excessive exercise such as more ball throwing, meeting up with other/new dogs or trying out new walking environments, as an attempt to try and wear your dog out more can lead to over stimulation.
Try to avoid changing your routine and keep to their usual times for walks and feeding.
Try to avoid any stressful or stimulating events, such as a non-emergency visit to the vets, reschedule grooming appointment so it does not coincide around the same time.
If deliveries usually cause your dog to react, place a box outside for items to be placed in with instructions not to knock.
It doesn’t help that Halloween is the week before bonfire night and you may have had a lot of unusually dressed and excited children knocking on the door, a bowl of sweets away from the door and a note asking people not to knock can help, or even not participating in the event at all.
Engage your dogs seeking system to release ‘happy’ hormones using scenting activities such as scatter feeding their food or using a snuffle mat. If their diet is wet based you can use a Kong or lick mats, and providing suitable natural chews too, will promote a generally more calm and relaxed dog.
picture from freepik.com
Setting up environments that promotes a calm state of mind in every day life will allow your dog to think more clearly, respond better to any support or training and help prevent unwanted behaviour generally.
When fireworks are expected.
Take your dog out for a walk as late as possible before fireworks may start.
Draw curtains.
Have a tv or radio on at a higher volume to mask sounds from the fireworks.
Have a refuge or safe space available, this may be an area your dog already prefers to rest in, or it may be a part of the house they have chosen in the past when fearful.
Some dogs feel calmer when they are more enclosed, if they use a crate, you can cover it with blankets. If their crate is usually by a door or windows consider moving it further away, to a more secure feeling place in the house, in small steps, over a few days, before fireworks are due. Do not move crate on the night as this may cause them stress that their bed is not in its usual place.
If they don't have a crate or are not crate trained, you could set up a 'den' using chairs and blankets. Setting up and practising before its needed.
Safe spaces should be well established before fireworks are likely. All dogs benefit from having a safe space throughout their lives.
To encourage or support use of a safe space you can place a favourite toy/blanket or even an item of your worn clothing, for a reassuring scent. Provide suitable chew items in this area and make sure they are undisturbed when using this space.
When fireworks start.
Play their favourite game or set up scent games with treats hidden round the house, in snuffle mats, interest box or wrapped up in towels, ending the games with a chew to bring their arousal levels back down.
Give your dog a high value chew (not rawhide), stuffed kong or licky mat, placed in their safe space, chewing and licking is a calming activity for a dog.
More ideas for on blog post: https://www.politepoochesessex.co.uk/post/enrichment-what-is-it-what-is-the-point
If they choose to be near you, allow that, don’t send them to their bed, but offer comfort with slow, steady, firm stroking on side of neck to shoulders. Offer them an enticing chew whilst they are next to you to encourage positive emotions.
You may need to stay up a bit later if you want to give your dog the opportunity to toilet before bed without the risk of a firework going off. They may still be to worried to go out after fireworks have finished, due to the after smell of fireworks.
Don’t force them outside, it’s better to clean up an accident in the morning than risk having a firework going off while they are outside, which could lead to them becoming anxious about toileting in the garden in the future.
In the future.
If your dog appears badly affected by fireworks you can discuss additional support with your vet. There are also lots of natural/herbal remedies available that may benefit your dog, which your vet can also advise on.
Thundershirts can help some dogs and you can devise your own using the Tellington T touch method. This is best practised before needed to make sure your dog is comfortable with it.
Set up a desensitisation plan:
Download firework sounds, so you can be in control of volume and style.
Give your dog an enrichment activity to positively distract and then play sounds at a very low volume, barely audible to you, as dogs hearing is slightly better than ours and they pick up sounds at different pitches.
As and when they appear relaxed with the sounds, slowly increase the volume level over following days and weeks.
IF YOUR DOG SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF STRESS, ANXIETY OR LEAVES THE ROOM, STOP IMMEDIATELY AND TRY ANOTHER DAY ON A LOWER VOLUME.
Keep up practice regularly and randomly throughout the year so they become positively conditioned to the sounds. This will go some way to helping them cope and stay calmer in the future.
For more information how dogs emotions can affect behaviour see ‘emotions’ blog; https://www.politepoochesessex.co.uk/post/dog-emotions-how-they-can-affect-training-and-behaviour
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