KEEP CALM ON BONFIRE NIGHT
Bonfire night is usually dreaded by most dog owners due to the stress and fear that the fireworks cause their beloved furry friends. Seeing your dog trembling under the kitchen table is an awful experience for any pet owner, but there are some things you can try that could help to relax your dog during firework season.
Firstly, it is important that you try to find out all of the dates of local firework displays so you can make a note of them in your diary and prepare in advance. You can do this by contacting your local council, and asking neighbours, friends and family. You want to make sure that your dog is as calm as possible during firework displays, and the best thing for this is to try and desensitise them to loud noises beforehand.
Every now and then, play a thunderstorm/firework soundtrack or an action film with loud explosions, at a low volume whilst doing something that your dog enjoys such as playing their favourite indoor game or feeding them our calming treats, and gradually increase the volume until your dog starts to tolerate the noise. This can be a very effective way of teaching your dog that loud, scary noises are not dangerous.
You could also try using a comfort wrap to put on your dog, which can help to make them feel secure and safe. There are many to choose from online that you can purchase, or you could try making your own using a scarf. Research has demonstrated that dogs tend to react less to loud noises when wearing a comfort wrap, so this could be a good option to keep as a back-up if desensitisation isn’t working.
It is important to make sure that you exercise your dog during the day and do not risk walking them late at night when the fireworks are due to begin, as this can be extremely stressful for them and may even cause them to break free and run away to
Every now and then, play a thunderstorm/firework soundtrack or an action film with loud explosions, at a low volume whilst doing something that your dog enjoys such as playing their favourite indoor game or feeding them our calming treats, and gradually increase the volume until your dog starts to tolerate the noise. This can be a very effective way of teaching your dog that loud, scary noises are not dangerous.
You could also try using a comfort wrap to put on your dog, which can help to make them feel secure and safe. There are many to choose from online that you can purchase, or you could try making your own using a scarf. Research has demonstrated that dogs tend to react less to loud noises when wearing a comfort wrap, so this could be a good option to keep as a back-up if desensitisation isn’t working.
It is important to make sure that you exercise your dog during the day and do not risk walking them late at night when the fireworks are due to begin, as this can be extremely stressful for them and may even cause them to break free and run away to
hide, which you really do not want. Give your dog their dinner at least two hours before the fireworks are due to begin so that they have time to digest their food and get comfortable. Sit with your dog in the evening and make sure they are as relaxed as possible. Do not be tempted to restrain your dog or force them to be close to you if they are scared of the fireworks and want to hide, if they feel safe under the kitchen table or behind the sofa, let them! Instead, speak softly to them and gently stroke them if they let you. If your dog does not improve after trying everything else, then you could seek veterinary advice as they may be able to prescribe calming medication. You could also try some herbal supplements in their food a few days prior to fireworks in an effort to relax them if you wish, for example Dorwest Herbs’ Scullcap or Valerian. Additionally, it could be worth investing in an Adaptil plug-in to use solely for when firework displays are scheduled.
I hope that some of the tricks in this article are useful. Remember, every dog is different, you just need to find out what works best for you and your dog. If you find that there is only a small change in behaviour and reaction to the fireworks, then that is still an achievement! Don’t be disheartened If they don’t seem to improve much, it takes time, so just do your best!
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