With fireworks season fast approaching, there are some simple things you as owners can do at home to help your dog to cope with fireworks and make the season less stressful for everyone involved.
1. Start desensitization early!
The best way to help your dog if they are nervous of fireworks or you aren't sure if they are is to do fireworks desensitization early to help prepare them. So what does this look like? Well on YouTube you can find fireworks videos that you can play in the room with your dog throughout the day or evening starting on the lowest setting before they notice it. Then you play it until they relax and then move up one volume level and do this over and over again until you're at a high volume and your dog is relaxing whilst they are on. Having a bed or crate for your dog to relax in is also a great way to help them relax which we'll talk a bit more about below.
2. Give them a covered crate or a comfy bed to relax in
Dogs who are nervous often appreciate a snuggly bed or even a crate covered by a blanket to nest in as it helps them to feel safer. Again, crate or place training them before fireworks season is a great idea to help your dog to learn that these are safe spaces and that they can relax and feel safe here. We have videos on our YouTube channel on how to crate and place train your dog if you don't know where to start.
3. When your dog gets nervous, pop them on their bed or in their crate and allow them to settle
The worst thing you can do is over fuss your dog when they are anxious as if there is a day when fireworks go off and you aren't there, they will really struggle to manage on their own. So we much prefer to teach them to self settle in their crate or on their bed if they get nervous about things in life so if they ever need to do it when we aren't there, they'll know what to do. That doesn't however mean that you can't ever allow your dog comfort if they need it. If your dog is comfortable sitting with you and calms well there, allow them to sit with you but don't do it every time so your dog isn't solely reliant on you being there to calm themselves down when they are scared.
4. Try a natural calming spray or calming supplement
Natural calming sprays or supplements are a great way to help your dog to manage their emotions a bit better and help them to calm themselves down. Steer clear from any supplements or sprays that are heavily full of chemicals as their ingredients are often not ideal for our dogs and can even make some dogs more stressed with the overwhelming smells and intense chemicals. Some of our favorite ones are:
Valerian Compound - Dorwest Herbs
I am Restful - House of Hildi
Pet Remedy spray or plug in
CBD - Hempine CBD
5. Be prepared!
When you know there is going to be fireworks, get yourself prepared! Take your dog for a walk or wee before it gets dark and before the fireworks start so they aren't out when the fireworks start and then again once they are done if they need another. Make sure they are on the lead, even in the garden if there have been fireworks in case they get spooked. shut the curtains and pop some music on to drown out the noise of it as much as possible and help your dog to settle whilst they are going on. If you're using supplements, start them before the fireworks start to help them take effect before they start and they get further stressed.
6. Stay calm
The best thing you can do if your dog gets stressed and starts to get worked up is pop them on the lead, stay calm and redirect them to their bed or crate. By keeping yourself calm, it will help your dog to be calmer and not worry as much. Take a deep breath, stay calm and remember to not get frustrated.
If your dog struggles with fireworks, any good dog trainer will be able to do a one to one session to help you and your dog to be less stressed throughout the fireworks season so don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it.
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