Most dogs don't like loud noises with fireworks being the loudest of them all. Here are some remedies to help get your dog through fireworks season.
Fireworks season is one of the most stressful times for your dog. Bonfire night no longer exists with people releasing fireworks for several weeks before and after November 5th. There are lots of remedies out there, from simple training techniques to dedicated dog products to an array of medication. But which is right for your dog?
With many methods the key is to preparing early. If using training methods begin in early October to make sure the training has sunk in before the dreaded time comes. With medication, many are designed to be settled into the system to have the best effect so a quick dosage at the time of a bang will have little effect.
I’m not a fan of artificial medication so I’ll begin with looking at dedicated dog products.
One of the best products at the moment is the Thundershirt from Pets and Home. The aim is to provide constant gentle pressure on the dog which has a relaxing and calming effect. It does actually work too, I have one for my terrier who is petrified of fireworks but another for Molly my GSD/collie cross (and star of Where’s Molly) who is a bad traveller. Wearing the shirt she is much calmer and is able to relax on long car journeys.
Not a product as such, but try to drown or at least muffle the intensity of the fireworks by turning up the TV. Again early preparation is key, turning up the volume as a one off may cause stress in your dog, so in the weeks running up to bonfire night turn the TV up a notch so the jump isn’t too great.
You may want to try to desensitise your dog to the noises of fireworks. If the sound occurs frequently starting from very quiet and getting louder over time they can become less sensitive to real fireworks. Here’s a link to a CD I found on Amazon Clix Noises and Sounds CD
It is also a good tactic to properly close the curtains to block out the flashing lights, even if dogs can’t hear the fireworks they already have the association so the sight is as bad as the sound.
A good trainer will look at what causes the anxiety in the dog and work towards eliminating that. For some dogs it may be low confidence or that they suffer a nervous disposition.
Give your dog a safe zone, a quiet corner with no visible windows, soft bedding and water and encourage them to spend some time there. Get in there with them and reassure them that this is a good area building up lots of positive associations. This can be their zone when they become stressed for not just fireworks.
Teach your dog to relax, it might sound difficult but it’s just the same as training anything else. When your dog is relaxing, give them their reward and associate a sound or word. Each time you notice them relax repeat this and after a while they will associate the two together and when you use the same word or sound, they know to go into the relaxed state.
Using a combination of safe zones, relaxed states and louder background noise should help you through.
There are plenty of products available that claim to help your dog through the fireworks season. The most popular is Adaptil which is a pheromone; “a substance produced by lactating bitches which comforts and reassures their puppies”. Simply, it is an odourless synthetic version of the pheromone a mother produces to calm her young. It has a similar effect on adult dogs and is available as a collar or a room diffuser.
Other alternatives are a small dose of Benadryl or your vet may prescribe a sedative such as Acepromazine. Molly suffers from hay fever and has bouts of reverse sneezing (I know, I didn’t know what it was either), a drop of Benadryl clears it up pretty well.
As always consult your vet before giving your dog any medication, especially if they are taking any other form of medicines.
Share your experiences below, does your dog love or hate fireworks and what works for you? Let us know using the comments below.
My poor girl is petrified of fireworks each year I try something new and each year it fails to help her. My vet has tried all sorts of meds but even the ones that make her drowsy still dont stop her being scared. Will try the jacket- thanks for sharing.