Your dog and Fireworks
YOUR DOG AND FIREWORKS
Early experiences are very important in the development of puppies and if dogs are exposed to a variety of sights and sounds from an early age, they are less likely to have adverse reactions when they mature.
Watch your dog’s reaction to fireworks and loud noises. Uncharacteristic behaviours such as trembling, restlessness, destructiveness, hiding, pacing, attention seeking, shaking, escape behaviour, loss of house training, whining and barking may all be signs of stress and anxiety.
To reduce the effects that these sudden explosive noises can have, here are a few ideas:
What you can do
- Make sure your dogs’ environment is safe and they cannot escape.
- Try to ignore any signs of restlessness and stress and reward any calm, relaxed behaviour.
- Prepare a ‘den’ for your dog, away from windows.
- Cover a table with a blanket or place your dogs’ bed behind a sofa where they will feel safe, secure and comfortable.
- Close the curtains to reduce the likelihood of flashes and turn on the TV or radio.
- Don’t leave your dog alone – dogs are pack animals and need the security and confidence provided by others.
- Occupy your dog with mind games, indoor hide & seek, food filled toys, chews etc.
- Chose safe times for exercise and toileting.
Avoid giving affection or attention to your dog when they are showing signs of stress and anxiety, this will only act as a reward to your dog. Where possible, try and change the subject and give them something else to do.