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HEALTH CENTRE

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How you can help your dog overcome firework fear

Nowadays fireworks feature at all kinds of celebrations - not just Bonfire Night. Many people enjoy fireworks, but many animals are frightened by them.

If your pet is frightened by loud noises, don't ignore the problem. You should always seek advice from your vet who will, if necessary, be able to refer you to a professional animal behaviour counsellor.

The RSPCA recommends the following:

When the fireworks season begins, close any windows and black out the "doggy play and sleep area" to remove any additional problems caused by flashing lights
Each evening before the fireworks begin, move your dog to the play area and provide toys and other things that your dog enjoys. Preferably, make sure that there are things for you to do too, so that your dog is not left alone
Set a good example and ignore the fireworks noise yourself - play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in but don't force your dog to play
Exercise your dog well during daylight hours - a tired dog may be less anxious
If you know of another dog that is not scared by noises and gets on well with your dog then keeping the two together during the evenings may help your dog to realise that there's no need to be afraid
If your dog shows any signs of fear, try to ignore this behaviour unless there is imminent danger - for example if your dog is likely to self-harm
Do not fuss over or try to reassure your dog when he/she is frightened - this has the opposite effect on the dog (but don't show anger either!)
Make sure your dog is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times, so that he/she can't bolt and escape in reaction to a sudden noise

If your dog is frightened by fireworks, a dog-appeasing pheromone diffuser (DAP) that disperses calming chemicals into the room may be a good option, or you could combine distracting play/training sessions with dog biscuits that contain herbs with calming properties

Information provided by the RSPCA

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