Preparing for things that go bang in the night! Firework season is nearly here….
Its nearly here, whether you love it or your dog dreads it… Firework season.
Why do dogs find it tough?
Dog’s hearing is at least double our range, they can hear noises from 5 floors away in apartment blocks, and even when your neighbour’s boiler fires up in the night. Often you may see them be alert to what to us is nothing…but their incredible hearing is picking up lots of sounds.
Add on their super power of scent, and now you can start to see the world in their eyes (well noses and ears). They can detect air pressure changes and minute chemical smells – they can smell covid and cancer on us! Finally, they don’t understand what it is that is going on, they don’t realise fireworks stay in the sky, but what they hear are sudden very loud noises, flashes and the smells of burning… that must mean danger. And they are trapped in the confines of your home.
For young puppies and those not bothered…
If this is your puppy’s first firework season – lets be honest, its never just confined to one day (5th Nov) anymore – then it may be a bit unpredictable as to how your dog will find it. Yes you can try playing loud noises but you cannot replicate the other conditions, and it will never quite sound the same as the real thing. To create positive associations, you need to prep. Licking and chewing can help calm dogs down, but in a time of worry and stress, their digestive system shuts down ready for fight/flight responses, so this may not work. What you can do is bring in fab play. A good game of chase and tug will pump their bodies of dopamine, endorphins and other happy hormones, so the effect of the fireworks is lesser for them. (Click this link for Tug-e-nuff toys and a discount). Now playing tug for the duration of the night is too much, but you can certainly mix this with calming licking on a West Paw Toppl filled with tasty food.
For the dogs that struggle….
For many, it can be pretty terrifying not knowing what is going on and feeling that the world is ending. Some dogs prefer to hide in a small dark space, so get ready a week in advance and make this a super happy place for them, and the ability to retreat when they need to is essential. For others, they need to be super close to you. This is Reba, my dog. We did all the noise prepping but a neighbour’s super rocket sent her in a spin during her crucial adolescent stage and now she has to be hugged by me. Now my dog likes to snuggle, but this is a full on hug with me whispering sweet nothings into her ear that she needs. So I cancel any evening calls, and make sure she has access to me as she needs. She is much better than she was but I still would not risk leaving her home alone with fireworks (or a thunderstorm) for her to go over threshold and regress. Its the lower rumble of distant fireworks that stresses her more. For note, she barely notices the army firing over her head on the walks on the ranges!! So do what your dog needs. Drown out some of the action by closing curtains, and loud music. Some dogs like the calming music but often loud western movies with lots of bangs are better at muffling the sounds!
If your dog really struggles, then speak to your vet NOW. Don’t wait. Get ready and often they can give situation meds to help on those nights you know it will be crazy outside. Vets will be busy in the few days before, so get in quick and get stocked up on anti anxiety meds in advance.
Remember other pets you may have – rabbits in the garden, horses in fields and if you have cats, you may want to keep them inside for this time.
Safety first…
You may see some people on social media outside with their dogs during displays. This can be overwhelming for even the most ‘bombproof’ dogs and not recommended at all.
Trying to time your dog’s night-time wees can be a challenge, and even if you are lucky, your dog’s stress hormones could be on full charge and the flight instinct is still strong. So many dogs get lost during this time by getting under/over or through gates and fences. Put your dog on a long line even if they are just in your garden, and hold the end….any dog in a panic can escape where normally they may not even try. Keep them safe so you can guide them back in once they have done their business.
And keep them safe if you are holding a bonfire party – the fire, the food, the noises, the visitors (and opening/closing doors) are all a safety risk so maybe book your pet to stay with someone else if you are planning a party.
End note:
I used to quite like the fireworks as a child, not so keen on the really loud ones, but since owning pets, I have a very different perspective on them. I’ve not seen any since I owned Reba, as her comfort overrides any self -gratification of seeing a few lights in the sky. Remember there are people who also cannot cope, such as children, PTSD suffers and many others. Organised display timings are at least advertised, but private displays can be a mare for many. Be considerate to others, I’d rather not burn my money…!!