Fireworks- what can you do

Some of our dogs are sensitive to noisy things like fireworks. While it is too late to solve the problem for this year there are a few things that can help

1. Try to stick to your rountine as much as possible – although make sure you have walked them before dark

2. Try to stay calm and relaxed yourself- so hard I know but if you are stressing it will makeyour dog stress even more.

3. Make sure they are inside and settled before dark. If you have to take them out to toilet make sure you do it on lead so if they get spooked you have control of them still

4. Set them up a den- eg a covered crate or a cupboard or under bed. Sound proof as much as possible. We want it to be a place they feel safe.

5. Close the curtains and play some background noise to reduce the impact of the sound.

6. Give them something special to eat or play food games or food puzzles with them. Start before the fireworks. Things like snuffle mats and food scatters (inside of course) encourage sniffing and eating both of which encourage the dogs to relax- every little bit helps. But start before the fireworks start as once your dog is reacting they have gone over threshold. Make sure you keep feeding if they will eat – something super high value when bangs going off.

7. Do you have another dog that stays calm this can also help

8. Stay with your dog patting if they want or just be close so they can see you are not worried.

9. Put them in a room where the noise is the lowest- this may be a bathroom or an internal room with more insulation from the noise

10. Make sure if your dog does panic that they cant get out of the house

11. If your dog is used to a thundershirt these can help some dogs or ear covers if they don’t mind them. But again put them on before the fireworks start.

12. You could try things to help them calm down like adaptil sprays, rescue remedy. Talk to your vet about medications

Before next year

It is easier to reduce anxiety around fireworks if you have done work prior to the season. All of these exercises should be done with the dog relaxed and below threshold so that you can change their brain processing.

1. Make sure they have somewhere like a crate that they feel safe in.

2. Find out what sort of treats and puzzle games they enjoy. Get them used to having fun playing games.

3. Use sound clips of fireworks- start with the noise really low – maybe in another room. Play games with your dog so that they are having fun while the noisy is happening. We want to create a positive or at least a neutral association with the noise. You want your dog to go there is a noise but I don’t care because I am doing things. If they are worried about the noise- you have it too loud or too close. Over a long period of time gradually increase the volume always making sure they stay well below threshold.