7 ways to keep your dog safe during firework season

Rachel Williams Author

With crisp Autumn days in full swing, Halloween, and Bonfire night follow with the always controversial debate of firework displays. For cats, dogs, horses, livestock and wild animals, fireworks can cause fear, injuries and sometimes death. However, it is not just animals who suffer, people living with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) such as ex-military find sudden loud noises, flashes of light and the smell of gunpowder trigger distressing memories.

Fireworks and the law

The law states that fireworks can only be bought from registered sellers for private use on the following dates:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 to 31 December
• 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year

Otherwise they must be bought from licensed shops. In addition, fireworks cannot be set off between 11pm and 7am, except for:

• Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut-off is 1am

How do I keep my dog safe?

Some of the tips below can be started now. A slow introduction of small changes to your dog’s daily routine and environment will give them time to acclimatise. These tips can continue into the festive season ready for New Year as well.

1. Know the signs

Knowing when your dog is frightened or anxious in their environment is key. Some of the more obvious signs are trembling, shaking, cowering, hiding behind furniture, barking, howling, and whining. However, dogs can also give more subtle signs such as holding their breath, clinging to their owner, tail tucked in between hind legs, ears back, lip licking, and uninterested in food.

2. IDs are up to date

Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with their ID tag attached and the information is up to date. You might not be planning on walking late at night, but dogs can be the most impressive Houdini’s when they are fearful and bolt, even from their own gardens. Making sure their microchip is correct can save a lot of time if your dog goes missing.

3. Create a safe haven

All dogs need a dedicated doggy bedroom. Your dog may love their crate or bed and spend time relaxing there already. Ensure their safe haven is really comfortable and safe with a dog bed where they can stretch out. Blankets can be used like a roof over the top to emulate a den.

Save haven rules:

• it must be a relaxing, quiet space
  
• is always accessible
• they are not disturbed, touched or moved when in their safe haven
• calming activities can be used in their safe haven (stuffed Kong, Liki mat, shredding etc.)
  

4. Noise reduction

Shut all the curtains in the room your dog is in to reduce the sound and light from the fireworks. You can turn the TV up (make sure there are no fireworks on the TV!) or you can play some calming music. Scientific research has shown that dogs respond best to reggae or solo piano music, look for icalmdog or through a dog’s ear on Spotify, Apple Music and icalmpet.com. Classical music is popular; however, the noise of a full orchestra can be overwhelming to dogs whose hearing is much more sensitive than ours so it’s best to stick to simpler tunes. White noise can also be effective.

5. Acknowledge their fear

If your dog barks, howls, hides or shows any other startle response, acknowledge their behaviour.
Without approaching them, give them eye contact and in your normal speaking voice say something like "wow, that was a big bang!". Then show them everything is ok (step 6).

6. Show them everything is ok

Giving your dog things to do whilst the fireworks are going off can be useful in occupying their attention. If your dog enjoys training, why not go over some simple tricks, if they prefer to be more independent, long-lasting chews, snuffle mats and licki mats can be effective.

Find something fun your dog likes to do:

• play with one of their toys
• search for treats in a snuffle mat
• tear cardboard in a destruction box
  

Don’t call your dog over, they will approach you if they want to interact. Prepare activities in advance, such as stuffed Kongs, Licki mats, destruction boxes, long-lasting chews, tug toy, old holey toy suitable for defluffing. Allow your dog to take these items into their safe haven if they choose to.

7. Drugs & other remedies

Vets can prescribe medication to help reduce your dog’s anxiety, these can come in the form of tablets, liquid or gel. If your dog does have anxiety already or has a severe reaction to loud noises, speak to your vet about what they can offer.

An alternative to prescribed medications is Adaptil, a Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is a synthetically derived pheromone, effectively identical to the natural pheromone a bitch releases from her mammary glands when she is lactating. It is received by the dog’s vomeronasal organ and creates a message to the brain that the dog is in a safe location, which in turn can reduce anxiety and vigilance.

Pet Remedy is a herbal-based product, it works with the dog’s own natural calming mechanisms by mimicking GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) which is a natural calming agent present in all mammals, reptiles, and birds. Pet Remedy actives help trick red-up nerve cells into thinking they are getting a message from the brain to calm.

It should be noted that these products, along with essential oils, flower essences and acupuncture can work wonders for some dogs and not for others so it might take time to find the right remedy for your dog.

Can I comfort my dog?

This point is especially important as many people believe that comforting a dog encourages them to be more scared. This is not strictly true.

Emotions can't be reinforced but behaviours can

By acknowledging your dog through eye contact and saying 'that made me jump!' (step 5) makes them aware you know something out of the ordinary just happened. If your behaviour implies everything is ok (step 6) rather than being small and stationary (typical of comfort behaviour) this is more likely to help your dog cope in scary situations.

On the night

• Walk your dog before it gets dark – keep them on a lead, or a longline, just in case a firework goes off unexpectedly
• If your dog needs to toilet after dark or before bed, take them to the garden if you have one, and keep them on a lead or longline
• Check all outside doors, windows are gates are shut to reduce the chance of your dog escaping
• Don’t leave your dog home alone – being home means you can make sure your dog is coping
• If your dog is settled, don’t fuss them and continue to monitor their behaviour

This blog was inspired by Toni Shelbourne, you can find a link to her book Help! My dog is scared of fireworks here.

Categories: : dog safety, fireworks