My Dog Hates
Fireworks! What Can I Do?
While you and your family are enjoying a 4th of
July barbecue or the Blues Festival on the Waterfront, what’s happening to Fido
at home? Some dogs have a fear of fireworks or at least the sounds they make
when they go off. Have you noticed your dog startles at the sound of fireworks
popping? Does he run to another room or under the bed? Your dog may have had a
traumatic incident related to fireworks or similar sounds, or perhaps he wasn’t
properly socialized at the appropriate time in his development to all kinds of
sounds. Whatever the reason, you are probably well aware if your dog suffers
from this particular anxiety and you may even dread this particular holiday.
Perhaps I can show you how to desensitize your dog to fireworks sounds so that
both of you can enjoy the 4th of July from now on!
Desensitization is a process whereby you introduce your dog
to the mild sound of fireworks, and gradually increase the volume, while at the
same time you work to change the dog’s reaction from fearful to relaxed, by
pairing the sound with something pleasant like food or toys. If you have time,
it is most effective to begin the work of desensitization prior to the 4th
of July. Thanks to our wonderful technology, there are fireworks sounds you can
record or play on your computer or on your smart phone. Go to: http://www.soundsnap.com/tags/explode
, or go to your smart phone apps and type in “fireworks sound effects.” Don’t
listen to these with your dog around you at first, but be ready to start the
process as soon as you get a few of your dog’s favorite things gathered
together.
To begin the process of desensitization, think about what
your dog loves the most. Does he love games of fetch or tug of war? Peanut
butter or rotisserie chicken? Hey, this might be a great time to try one of
those treat-dispensing toys! Whatever it is, get it out and be ready to
deliver. You may begin by playing the sound effects on the lowest volume or even
in another room. You want Fido to barely be able to hear it for the first
session. Please don’t bring your dog to the sound and don’t sit with your dog near
the sound. We don’t want your dog to associate you with the sound which he
fears. When you hear the sounds of fireworks, let the fun begin! Each time you
hear the sound, get your dog’s attention and begin to play with him or offer
him a treat to completely distract his attention. This will soon become a game
that goes something like this: Boom! “Fido!” Deliver the treat or begin to play
with him and his favorite toys. Let him chase you, drag a toy by a rope, toss a
ball up and down the stairs, go wild! Your dog will love the attention. Just
remember, dogs take their cues from us, so don’t look worried or nurture him if
he is in an anxious state of mind. Turn it around for him from a dreaded event to
a fun event and a great time for the two of you! I recommend short sessions of
only a few minutes at first at a low volume. Later in the day you may adjust
the volume up slightly by a notch or two and play again for a few minutes,
depending on how he is responding. As the volume is increased, you may turn on
your TV or radio in the background to help muffle the sounds. If your dog seems
not to be interested in treats or play, you may have pushed him too far too
soon. Take a step back and reduce the volume again until he is willing to
accept treats and play. Depending on your dog’s level of anxiety, in a few days
to a few weeks, in just a few minutes a day, your dog will soon be able to
tolerate the sounds of fireworks and even look forward to it because it means
fun! If you don’t have time to begin the desensitization process prior to the
holiday, I recommend you stay home on the 4th of July, close the
doors and windows, turn on the TV, and be ready to play every time you hear a
noise. A nice brisk walk early on the day of the event is also a great way to
help dissipate some of your dog’s excessive energy and anxiety.
Remember that fireworks tend to stay around longer than just
the 4th of July. Kids often play with fireworks for days before and
after so be aware that the noise may be around a bit longer than just on the 4th.
Dogs who are especially sensitive to this noise may also be prone to running
away and hiding. Make sure you have an ID tag even if your dog is micro-chipped.
My childhood dog Snuffy went missing on the 4th of July once and
unfortunately was never found again. Please be safe with your dogs and take
special care to take them outside on leash if you don’t have a fenced yard.
This is not the day or weekend to have your dog off-leash even if he’s totally
reliable off-leash on other days. If your dog is sensitive to noises or the
sounds of fireworks in particular, be extra careful this time of year.
Thundershirts are also extremely effective to use to combat
a fear of fireworks, but typically require a conditioning process of a few
days, prior to the actual event. If your dog suffers from severe anxiety as a
result of the sounds of fireworks or other loud noises and displays symptoms
such as pacing, drooling, foaming, whining, hiding, or trying desperately to
get outside, please consult me or another professional dog trainer or canine
behaviorist to help with this problem.
So, enjoy the 4th of July and be safe and have
fun with your dog!