Coping with Fireworks

Fireworks season is about to kick off again in the UK.

While some dogs couldn’t care less, and some even enjoy them, for some dogs the next few weeks can be incredibly frightening and stressful. Ruffmutz dog Jenga finds fireworks very overwhelming, and so I know from personal experience how distressing this time of year can be.

So what can we do to keep our dogs safe and minimise their distress?

Before the Night …

• Desensitisation and counter-condition to the sounds (and smells if you can safely) of fireworks. For a dog who is already frightened, this ideally needs to start months before firework season starts, but for those who’ve not really been around them before you can get them started now by playing in fireworks clips from YouTube at low level, while your dog does something fun like eating breakfast or playing a favourite game.
• Set up a safe area for your dog. This should be snug and cosy and a slightly tucked away like a den. This wants to be done a couple of weeks before firework season so your dog is already happy and comfortable in there before the scary stuff starts. If you can, cover the den with a few blankets to attempt to soundproof a little, ensuring enough ventilation for your dog. In the lead-up to fireworks starting, feed your dog super tasty chews in the safe space. Chewing is a calming behaviour, so it reinforces relaxation!
• Ensure your dog’s microchip and ID tag are all up to date. Unfortunately, lots of dogs are spooked by fireworks at this time of year, even in daylight in some cases, so ensuring your dog can be quickly reunited with you is important.
• If your dog is usually worried by fireworks or you’re not yet sure how they react, keep your dog on lead anyway unless in a secure space. It’s not worth risking an injury!
• Check your fences; ensure your garden is still secure. A panicking dog can be very determined when in flight mode so ensure any holes or gaps are covered.
• Introduce things like thundershirts, doggy ear defenders, and snoods well before firework season, and ensure you acclimatise your dog to them before expecting them to keep them on for a whole evening. Introduce them for short bursts and pair with good stuff like toys and treats to help your dog feel comfortable and happy in them.
• For worried dogs introduce things like Adaptil, pet remedy, pet rescue remedy, or other complimentary calming products at least a week before Bonfire weekend, so they have time to start to work. This products aren’t magic; your dog isn’t suddenly going to become completely relaxed around fireworks! But they can help to reduce the stress response.
• If your dog is extremely worried by the loud noises, consider speaking to your vet to see if they can offer anything to help your dog. Don’t leave this until the last minute as things will likely go out of stock and it can take a few practice runs to find the right doses in some cases.

On the Night …

• Walk your dog nice and early in daylight to minimise the risk of fireworks going off. In the case of really anxious dogs, where a day just mooching at home isn’t enough, consider hiring a secure dog field for an hour or so so your dog can have a run. These tend to be in more rural areas, so reduce the risk of noise, but always check the fence first and be extremely careful loading them in and out of the vehicle.
• Feed them early then settle them down on an evening with a nice long lasting chew to help them relax.
• If using Adaptil/pet remedy spray, spray the den area an hour before your dog is going to go near it. If using medication from the vets, follow the instructions and try get your dog relaxed before the fireworks start.
• Keep all windows, curtains and doors, including internal doors shut, to minimise the sights and sounds of fireworks.
• Play music or watch a nice noisy film to help cover some of the outside noise. Classic fm often run an animal specific programme over the evenings on bonfire weekend, however depending what music your dog is used to hearing in your home, for some dogs your personal taste in music may be more calming … mine (including the cat) quite like rock and metal!
• If you need to disguise the outside sounds a little more, CD’s or YouTube clips of taiko drumming can be quite effective, providing your dog isn’t also worried by this.
• A white noise or heartbeat machine close to the den (providing your dog won’t chew it) can help make the den a little more comforting for the dog. Some people also recommend a desktop fan blowing across the front of the den to try distrupt incoming sound from the fireworks.
• Use any tools like ear defenders, snoods, or thundershirts nice and early before the chaos starts.
• If your dog comes to you for reassurance, give them it. If your dog is in need of support and comes to you for help, please support them. Don’t chase your dog around trying to grab them to hug them or go trying to coax them out of their den if they choose to go in it, but please don’t ignore a dog who has come to you asking for help. You’re not reinforcing their fear; they’re already afraid!
• If your dog is worried, toilet them just before it goes dark, keep them on lead and then if need be go out again very late after the fireworks have stopped. Usually about 1-2am.
• If your dog was worried by the fireworks they will likely still be stressed and jumpy for the next few days. Adrenaline and other stress hormones can take up to 72hours to return to normal levels! Go for a nice relaxing walk somewhere quiet, or do some nice calming activities like scentwork to help bring them back down, but be prepared for your dog to sleep and rest.
• The next day check your garden for used fireworks. Rockets seem to land everywhere! Clear any stray fireworks away to prevent your dog eating them.

Good luck everyone!