Firework season - My dog is so frightened of fireworks! - Carrie's Canines & FriendsCarrie's Canines & Friends

I used to be filled with dread at this time of year and used to start thinking about it from the end of August, as unless you have lived with a dog who is fearful of fireworks I don’t think you can fully understand how distressing it is to them.

My dog Tye, who I unfortunately lost in May at 10 years old, was so fearful of them and used to shake and become very distressed and he just wouldn’t settle or even go outside after it went dark. He wasn’t always this way, but it got worse as the years went on (which is very common) so I tried many various complimentary and prescribed medicines to try and help him through this time of year, and again at New Year.

After reading other people worries and them asking what other people have tried and what they put in place, I wanted to share what I have tried over the years.

Signs to look out for that show your dog is fearful of fireworks

Panting, lip licking, ears down, tail tucked under
Pacing
Shaking and trembling
Clinging to owners, following around the house
Hiding/cowering
Refusing to eat – even the tastiest treats
Barking excessively
Not settling in one spot

Ideally, it is best to try and to desensitise your dog to the noises, ideally starting either when they are a puppy or when you adopt your dog. You can also do a desensitisation programme to an older dog, you use the same method but need to be mindful of how you begin it as they may already have a fear to the noises. You need to be mindful and keeping your dog under threshold at all times as you don’t want to be frightening them with the noises.

A desensitisation programme can be done with a CD that has been specifically been made for this use Clix CD or you can get the noises from YouTube or there is an app called Pup School (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sound-proof-puppy-training/id700513321?mt=8)

You want to start the CD very quietly, so that you can almost not hear it – don’t worry your dog’s hearing is much more sensitive to ours and they will be able to hear it! Whilst you are playing the cd you can play games with your dog or practise some training or teach some new tricks to engage your dog, this will help your dog associate the noises with nice things happening. Do not leave the cd playing and leave the house or room, you need to be in control at all times.

When you are happy that your dog can deal with the sounds, you can gradually begin to turn the volume up over the sessions – always keeping your dog under threshold. If at any point your dog does not look comfortable, loses concentration on what you are doing, shows any body language that shows they are uncomfortable (for example – pacing, lick licking, panting) you have just turned it up a bit too loud too soon. Not to worry just take a step back to a lower volume for the next session.

If your dog finds it too hard with the player in the room, you can start with it playing in the hallway, with you and your dog in the lounge with the door shut, as this will muffle the sounds more if required. It is also a good idea to generalise the noises to outside once you have got to a reasonable volume inside and to generalise the noises around your home.

It is now a bit late to start a desensitisation programme or to do some counter conditioning for next weekend, but you can start it ready for New Year and for November next year. Your dog also may be fearful of other noises, such as the hoover, traffic or gun bangs – you can also use the desensitisation programme for these noises.

Complimentary Therapies that I have tried or have heard good results from

Thundershirt (http://www.thundershirt.co.uk/) and body wraps, which are known to have a calming effect on anxious or excitable dogs and may help them to overcome various behavioural problems and help them deal with fireworks. I bought one for Tye before they became more well-known and found he would come to me to be put on and would happily wear it. It is best to get them used to the Thundershirt with no noises to being with so that they associate wearing the Thundershirt with ‘nice ‘things – so play games whilst they are wearing it or do some fun training.
Magicalm – ‘A soothing formula designed to help promote a sense of calm and well-being in dogs.’ (https://www.healthspan.co.uk/vetvits/dog-supplements/magicalm) it helps promote a sense of calm. I have used this to success for reactivity as well as fear of fireworks. I currently have my puppy on Magicalm as a preventative measure (she not currently afraid of fireworks, but it would not do her any harm to take this natural supplement). As prevention is easier than cure.
Adaptil – (http://www.adaptil.com/uk)This is based on what a mother would produce to give reassurance to her puppies, it is a synthetic copy of her pheromone. It comes in various forms – a plug in, collar, spray and tablets. I have personally not used the tablets but have in previous years had some success with the collar and use the spray on a regular basis for behaviour consultations and use it for my puppy whenever she has been fearful to help give her reassurance. I used to spray it onto Tye’s Thundershirt and onto his bed. I have used the pulg in, but not to great effect as i have large rooms in my home with high ceilings, so i would expect it would work better in smaller rooms.
Pet Remedy – (http://www.petremedy.co.uk/) this is like Adaptil but is a blend of essential oils which is Valerian based to help calm and relax you dog (it can also be used on cats and other animals). I have had success with using this as well and spray it onto their bed or blankets that they use – never directly onto them.
Dorwest herbs – (http://www.dorwest.com/products/SV/scullcap-and-valerian-tablets-for-dogs-and-cats)Valerian and Skullcap combination – I have personally not used these directly from Dorwest herbs, but when you look at the ingredients of many complimentary therapies you are likely to see Valerian used and I know people that have used these to great effect. It is one I was looking at trying for Tye this year.

With complimentary therapies, it can be a bit of try it and see, as with humans not everyone will work for you and it’s the same for dogs. It’s a matter of trying them out and seeing what works for your dog. There are many more available that I have not tried, a couple are listed below

Zyklene – (http://www.zylkenepet.co.uk/) have heard good results from this. It contains a natural product, derived from casein, a protein in milk.
YuCalm – (http://www.lintbells.com/yucalm-dog)I do not know anyone who has tried this, but it is natural supplement which supports calm behaviour while helping reduce stress.

If trying any complimentary medicine and your dog is already on medication, please do check with your vet that it is ok for your dog to be taking the complimentary medicine. Please make sure you discuss with your vet before combining supplements in case of contradictions.

I have also tried using diazepam, which I was prescribed from my vet which is a muscle relaxant. It can be used as a short-term sedative for fear of rarely encountered situations, which only lasts a few hours. It is a sedative with anti-anxiety, muscle relaxing and hypnotic properties which can be given before, during or after a fear event. But, it does not relieve symptoms & can make them worse and I felt he knew what was happening but was unable to do anything so would personally not recommend and would not use again.

Ideas to help you dog

Build them a den – if your dog has a crate and loves their crate, make it into a safe den for them to go into and hide. Cover it with a blanket and make it a nice place to go for them. You can also make a den from a table or make one where they tend to go and hide (a specific corner)
Ensure all windows, doors remain closed during the season – to prevent them escaping (also to reduce the noise) and close all curtains.
Provide distractions – this will vary from dog to dog, as some dogs will not be distracted by the tastiest chew or a fun new toy but will work for others. Play games with your dog if they will engage with you and you can make use of a frozen kong, an antler or use a snuffle mat. Chewing and licking is pacifying for a dog.
Turn on the TV loud or have the radio or music on to drown out/muffle the sound of the fireworks and to be a distraction.
Do not punish your pet, this will only make your pet more distressed.
Stay home or make sure there is always someone at home with your dog – they should not be left on their own at this stressful time.
Walk your dog early before it goes dark to prevent the chance of any fireworks going off whilst you are on your walk and keep your dog inside during the fireworks.
If your dog has to go outside to the toilet – take them in the garden on a lead to prevent them being frightened by a bang and running off. My dog wouldn’t even go outside after 4pm until the next morning so preferably keep them inside as they can associate to being outside to being scary.
Ensure your microchip is up to date and your dog has a correct ID tag on their collar. If your dog does escape or they run off, it will be much easier for you both to be reunited if this information is correct.
Let them relax where they feel comfortable. Tye just wanted to be close to me, not wanting any fuss but wanted reassurance from me.

Please also remember to comfort your dog if they are in distress if they come to you, or leave them alone if they so wish. You can comfort your dog; it will not reinforce their fear!

Carrie's Canines & Friends

Firework season – My dog is so frightened of fireworks!

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