Is your dog terrified of fireworks?
Does your dog go into a panic when he or she hears fireworks?
Have you a new dog or a puppy and you don't know how he or she will be with
fireworks?

We can't unfortunately avoid November the 5th - or New Year's Eve - and fireworks. I
personally wish that they were restricted to well publicised communal events with
fireworks not available for the general public to purchase and private fireworks made
illegal. I know I am a killjoy, but it can be truly terrible for animals.

How you behave when your dog first encounters fireworks, or thunder, or bird
scarers is crucial.

However, if it's too late all is not lost. It is important that your dogs look to you for your
own reaction, and to the extent that they trust you to look after them (and convincing
leadership is necessary) they will follow your lead.

Tips:

  • Prepare in advance by working on being leader of your pack so that your dog
    will know you are in charge of protection and decision making. This is where I
    can help you.
  • Ask your neighbours to let you know if they are going to have fireworks - AND
    KEEP YOUR DOGS INDOORS.
  • Don't walk your dog or let your dog out after dark on nights when there are
    likely to be fireworks. Many dogs first experience of fireworks is when they are
    out alone in the garden and suddenly there is a very loud bang overhead. The
    dog panics and may no be able to get back in. You may even be out. Some
    dogs are so scared that they refuse to go out again, start toileting indoors and
    may even refuse to go for walks.
  • Keep calm and don't comfort your dog!
  • Try not to go out and leave your dog alone on nights where there may be
    fireworks. If you must go out, get someone to sit in (and it's important they
    ignore the dog if there are bangs about).

People who are afraid of thunder and sudden loud noises invariably pass this on to
their dogs, and in particular by comforting, cuddling and 'reassuring' their dog. They
anticipate their dog may be scared and react accordingly - actually causing fear.

If your dog is already scared of fireworks or storms, it is important that you act matter
of fact, as though it is no big deal. Panic in the dog is pitiful to see, but it's very
important that you don't fuel it. Draw the curtains, turn the TV up, and go about your
normal daily activities. Allow your dog to find his or her own bolt-hole, even if it means
going under the bed in the bedroom where he's not normally allowed, and LEAVE
HIM ALONE.

If you reassure your dog it does three things:
  • Comfort and fuss passes on your own feelings of concern and worry - this may
    be concern for your dog rather than the fireworks, but your dog doesn't know
    that.
  • 'Reassurance' does the opposite of reassuring, and merely tells the dog that
    there is something to be reassured about and makes the threat a reality.
  • Fuss and cuddling rewards the dog for his fearful reaction, and tells him it is
    right to be frightened of fireworks.

When my dogs first encountered fireworks a couple of years ago I had three young
dogs. All of a sudden the sky came alive with noise and light. It took me by surprise!
My neighbours were having a big firework party but had not warned us. The dogs
were in their sleeping place under my desk, but as their world exploded they were
instantly up and at the door. I reacted exactly as I would if it had been nothing. I
opened the door. Two of them ran out and came back in very quickly!! I said nothing
and shut the door, pulled the blinds down and went back to my desk.

I am not exaggerating when I say that they looked at me, saw I was chilled, and then
went back to their spot under my desk. They trust me to make the decisions because
of the way I always behave with them, and this is what I can teach you. The earlier
you start before November 5th, the better.

The following weekend there were more fireworks the other side of my garden, and
we all sat out under our covered veranda and watched, just as we may do during a
storm.

You may like to take a look at my dog Pip's Blog, and scroll down to last November to
see how my own dogs reacted last year when there were fireworks.
Counter
Theo Stewart
Fireworks
The Dog Lady