It is that time of year again when this nation of animal lovers subjects its pets to sounds that trigger fear and a sense of loss of control that rivals the opening scene of 'Saving Private Ryan'. I refer of course to the firework season with its pretty colours and bangs that make most people go ooh and many dogs cringe or panic. When distressed they may try to find a location where they feel more secure. This may be by the owner they are most dependent on, any family member or somewhere to hide that, if possible, also reduces the intensity of the sound.

Dogs that are more disturbed may not settle in any of these places, but try them all in a vain attempt to cope. Dogs that are frightened during the firework season can become fearful all year round, in part because fireworks occur in association with a range of celebrations, including Christmas and New Year. So just when our dogs are beginning to think it is all over and start to be less anxious the fireworks come again, increasing our dogs’ anxiety over the coming months and because of generalisation. The latter occurs when dogs become reactive to sounds decreasingly similar to those that first scared it.

Our enjoyment results in countless dogs being fearful of going for walks, particularly when it is dark, and what must amount to millions of pounds worth of damage caused by dogs that try to escape or find somewhere to hide because they can't cope when they are left alone due to sounds that occur or apprehension that they may occur.


What can you do to help your dog?

General:

  1. If your dog tries to find somewhere to hide as a means of coping you can construct a box of four sides and a top, tall enough for it to stand in and roughly the size of its bed from a material that will not reverberate, such as some form of composite board. There should be an aperture that will allow your dog free access covered with a flap of carpet so it can push its way through. Padding will further deaden any sound. Place comfortable bedding inside. Hopefully, your dog will use the box as a "den" at times when it is frightened but this can't be guaranteed.
  2. If your dog is prone to being very distressed consult your veterinary surgeon about drug support to reduce fear when fireworks are expected.
  3. Obtain a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser from your veterinary surgeon and place where your dog feels most secure. This is a synthetic reproduction of a secretion from the skin around the mammary glands when bitches are feeding their puppies that has a calming effect in adulthood.
  4. Consider kennelling your dog in a firework free area.
  5. Talk to your vet about feeding an anxiety reducing high carbohydrate diet supplemented with vitamin B6 during the firework season. Such as, an extra feed of wholemeal pasta twice a day two hours after every main meal (approximately a desert bowl for average sized dogs, eg. Labrador/Collie. A saucer full should suit small dogs) with some brewers yeast tablets.
  6. Dogs that are fearful during the firework season and at other times can be treated. If you need help consult your veterinary surgeon who can refer you us.

When fireworks are expected:

  1. Stay at home with your dog or drive it to the countryside and return when the fireworks have finished.
  2. Keep your dog indoors. Avoid late afternoon and evening walks. Try to give the last chance for a pee after the fireworks have stopped.
  3. Close windows to reduce the bangs and shut curtains and keep bright lights on so that associated flashes can't be seen.
  4. Play loud music with a beat to reduce the impact of any bangs that occur outside.
  5. Try to keep your dog relaxed by playing with toys before the fireworks start and keep playing throughout.
  6. Don't reassure your dog if it looks apprehensive or frightened because this will accidentally increase its fear by giving it attention when it is a state of distress.
  7. If your dog is in a relaxed state when fireworks occur give it attention to reward it.
  8. Ignore fireworks yourself.
  9. Maintain your dog's access to any area it has already learnt to go to as a means of coping.
  10. Don't move your dog if it is sheltering somewhere because you could cause it to become defensive.
  11. Pray for rain.

Helping Fearful Dogs

Discusses the differences between anxiety, fear and phobia and the function of avoidance behaviour and fear aggression. It explains in detail how these can be diagnosed and treated in cases such as fear of noises, and fear related aggression towards other dogs and strangers (including vets and judges).
Price £4.65 + P&P Click here to order

 

 

Sounds Scary CDs for treatment of fear of sounds (not for use during the firework season)

The new Sounds Scary Thunder, firework and gunshot pack contains a 32 page manual, foldout Easy-Start poster and 2 discs with all the sounds you need to treat these phobias.
The manual provides detailed information to show you how to: -Help your dog to get through scary events like firework night; Assess how severe your dog's phobia problems are and get extra help; Treat your dog's phobia quickly and effectively.
Sounds Scary's innovative approach to designing sound tracks and treatment protocols for treating sound phobias is unique and the CDs are the product of years of experience treating sound phobias.
Price £22.50 Click here to order

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Please note that the Pet Behaviour Centre and David Appleby cannot be held responsible for death or injury to people or animals, or damage to property caused by the correct or incorrect use of the techniques described in this article.