Fearful of Fireworks?

Fireworks are beautiful and the combination of bright lights and loud bangs at a big display never fails to turn me back into a child, mind filled with oohs and aahs.

However, it’s not news that fireworks are simply terrifying for some pets. We’re very lucky that Barney has never been bothered by loud noises of any kind but when we rehomed Archie in 2012, he was extremely worried by fireworks and thunderstorms. Each year he has become a little less afraid but the last couple of years have been an absolute triumph. This photo of him laid by the fire was taken on Friday 2nd November 2018, during the first bout of fireworks. He didn’t bat an eyelid. His response was the same the following night and I dare to say that I think we’ve seen the last of him trying to climb up our legs to take shelter in our arms!

At this point, I think it is worth going back to my previous comment about Barney. Barney has never been bothered by fireworks or thunder and I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that we’ve had him since he was a puppy whereas Archie was 3 years old when he came to live with us. Barney’s upbringing was quite ‘rufty-tufty’, play fighting with Mr A and Archie and being subjected to loud noises such as DIY and the Lincoln Christmas Market (which took place in our street) from a very early age. All these early experiences during puppyhood are what shape our dogs into the adults they become. And whilst it is easiest to shape responses to life’s obstacles as a puppy, you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks.

With bonfire night having just passed and New Years Eve being in the not too distant future, this quiet period in the middle is the perfect opportunity to start laying the foundations for your firework training.

YouTube videos are your friend! A lot of the fear of fireworks stems from the fact that they are a sudden, unknown and unexpected occurrence for our pets. You can take away the sudden and unknown element by exposing your dog to the sound of fireworks (and thunderstorms) on a regular basis simply by playing YouTube videos. Depending on how reactive your dog is to fireworks, determines which level you should begin this method at.

If your dog is extremely nervous of fireworks, then start very gently. Start by filling a food toy such as a Kong with lots of tasty treats and give this to your dog. Whilst they are distracted with the toy, quietly (and I mean quietly – remember, dogs hearing is much stronger than ours) play a video of a fireworks display (or thunderstorm). Stop the video before your dog finishes his food toy (we want this session to be all positive) and then carry on your day as normal. Don’t make a big fuss of what a clever boy he is, just carry on with your day. If your dog is unhappy with fireworks but not absolutely terrified, then you can start with a slightly louder video but remember, (remember, remember!) the aim here is to gradually increase the noise level. You can’t rush these things.

Gradually increase the volume of the videos and the length of time that you are playing them for. Do this at different times of day and in different rooms (including the garden and car) so that your dog doesn’t learn to expect the sessions. Fireworks are scary because they are unexpected, it’s no use teaching your dog to be brave around fireworks that only happen at one time of day, in one room, for 5 minutes only. Also, play different videos. Include ones with the horrible screechy fireworks, not just ones that go bang.

The idea here is that you start quietly enough that your dog doesn’t react to the noise of the fireworks and gradually increase the volume so that you are increasing the threshold at which your dog starts to react. If, when you increase the volume your dog starts to become nervous, you have gone too quickly. Take it back down and continue at the lower volume until your dog is calm and easily distracted by the treats or toys, then gradually increase the volume again.

The length of this process of habituating your dog to the sound of fireworks will vary because all dogs are individual. I’m not going to say, do this for 6 weeks and your dog will be cured! - because for some dogs that simply won’t be the case and to be honest with you, New Years Eve could rear its ugly head and put a big downer on all your hard work and positive training. But there is hope…

Like I said, fireworks (and thunder) are scary because they’re sudden and unexpected but by having a little firework video playing session on a regular basis, where nothing nasty happens and there have been treats and toys involved, you can start to take away the suddenness. Make them a more regular experience for your dog and you will make them less scary. The good news is that we know to expect fireworks from Bonfire Night until New Year and so you will have a good 10 months to prepare your dog before the next batch.

Below are my top tips for the big nights themselves but these won’t work on their own. If you put the time and effort in, you can help teach your dog that fireworks don’t have to be scary. It’s a long process that requires patience, but the reward is priceless.

Surround Sound Radio

It’s common to hear people telling you to turn up the radio and TV to drown out the sound of fireworks, but not everyone remembers to turn on the radio in every room of the house! Obviously if you have a huge house then maybe not every room, but at least the rooms that your dog has access to and with radio player apps available on mobiles and tablets, there’s not really any excuse not to. Even the stable can benefit! But bear in mind, suddenly turning all the radios and TVs up loud can be unusual for your dog too, so do this a few times during the year so that this in itself is not something to do worried about!

The type of music makes a difference too. The point of playing music is not just to drown out the sound of the fireworks, but to break up the suddenness. Music with a repetitive beat doesn’t work as the interruptions of the fireworks are still obvious, whereas classical music has been shown to have a calming effect on cats and dogs.

Food Toys and Chewy Treats

Keep all pets distracted with a food toy – even rodents and horses can benefit from this one. Something long-lasting is best, (Barney and Archie enjoy a chewy rawhide stick on special occasions) but if you’re worried about giving your dog too many treats, then use his dinner instead. Feed him his dinner in a food toy and he’ll have fun trying to get to it without having more than his usual portion. To make it last even longer, soak dry biscuits in water until they’re soft, then stuff them into a Kong and freeze it.

Early Walks

This won’t come as a surprise, but avoid walking your dog when there are likely to be fireworks going off. Also, make sure your garden is escape-proof, just in case, and escort your dog on toilet breaks in the garden – for moral support!

Dens

Create a cosy den for your cat or dog to hide in; under the bed, in the wardrobe, airing cupboard, wherever they like. Create this den at various times throughout the year for a day or two sometime before Bonfire Night so that the appearance of a new bed doesn’t alert your dog to the oncoming fireworks. If your dog is anything like Archie, associations can be made extremely quickly. Also, close the windows and curtains!

Comfort, not coddling!

This is the most important piece of advice I can give you. Dogs are like sponges, soaking up our emotions and if you’re worried about them, they can tell, which tells them they are right to be worried about something, because you’re worried. It’s a viscous circle! By all means, if your dog wants to sit on your lap then let him and give him lots of cuddles, but don’t coo over him telling him that it’s all going to be alright and not to worry, because that will only make things worse. Just act like it’s any ordinary evening and don’t give your dog any reason to think that there’s anything to worry about. This alone will make a huge difference to how your dog deals with Bonfire Night.

Adaptil / Feliway

These diffusers release pheromones that dogs and cats find relaxing, but they are most effective when they are plugged in at least a month in advance so that the pheromones have a chance to build up. They really do work so don’t be put off by the price.

(Photo credit: www.adaptil.com)

Ask the Pro’s

If all these tips still don’t help, then don’t give up hope. Speak to your vet about what they can offer you, such as Diazepam. I don’t recommend this option lightly, it should be your last resort, but it is worth a mention.

So there you have my top tips for surviving bonfire night. I hope they help you and your furry friends this firework season!