When you have a dog that is afraid of fireworks, you should start training at least two months before the fireworks season starts to help him cope with his fears. But suppose there is a good reason why you have not done this, there are things you can do at the moment your dog is afraid of the fireworks (or a thunderstorm for instance).

It is important to know that every dog has a way to cope with fear. How the dog reacts is different for every dog but the most common reactions are: • Flight/hiding/evasion • Freeze • Fight

Dogs that are afraid of fireworks usually try to hide. When you provide for this natural reaction, the fear becomes manageable for the dog. To be afraid is one thing, but if it becomes impossible to get away from the cause of that fear or it becomes impossible to make it less bad, the fear will worsen. Offer your dog the chance to shelter or hide at a spot he chooses. Do not immediately put him in a travel cage or something like that because you think it is a good spot! It can be a good spot but only if the dog thinks so too.

Give him the opportunity to seek out his own place, like the bathroom, under a table or couch or cupboard, under the stairs, somewhere in a corner. Then make the spot resemble a little burrow where as few stimuli can enter as possible, by putting a blanket over it for instance. If you can’t figure out what his safe spot is, then make one for him where you always feed him, where his water bowl is and where he gets his treats. That way he gets positive associations with that spot. Never force him because that has a counter productive effect. Do not in any way obstruct access to his safe spot when he is afraid. This means that the dog has to be home during the letting off of fireworks! And of course you belong there as well, however annoying it is to have to miss out on the New Year’s parties. Your role can be crucial, quite apart from offering him a good hiding place!

Until a few years ago the advice concerning fearful dogs was: ignore them! But the opinions about this have become divided. What dog owners often do, is to not so much ignore the behaviour, but ignore the dog and there is a huge difference! The best thing you can do is to ignore the behaviour but not the dog. That may sound cryptic, but what I mean is that it is quite all right to support your dog by letting him know that you are there for him. That way you show him that you are the place he can feel safe in instead of that other place. What is important in doing that is to not pay much attention to his fear. So do not stroke him or console him etc. But do let him lie against you, put your hand on him, chat with him or try to distract him. With that you help him to be less scared of the fireworks (or the thunder etc.). When you ignore the dog, which is still often the advice given he is totally dependent on himself. He cannot come to you (which is very strange to a dog that normally can lie down next to you!) and he has to sort it all out for himself. That does not help him get over his fears…

What to do at the moment your dog is scared by fireworks: • Offer him a safe spot of his choice; • Put a blanket over the spot and try to make it as soundproof as possible (in the bathroom?); • Put a garment with your smell at the safe spot in order to make him feel safe; • Give him the opportunity to look for support and contact by letting him touch you or chat with him in a happy fashion (Hey, are you coming to sit with me? That’s nice! Do you hear stuff? Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.); • Stay in his own familiar surroundings with you nearby as support; • Support with regular or natural medication. • Give yourself a kick up the backside and start training a year in advance to make sure that the next fireworks season will be less of a hell for your dog!

What not to do at the moment your dog is scared by fireworks: • Force him to be in a certain space or deny him access to his favourite spot; • Ignore him;• Give undue attention to his fear (Ow, that is scary isn’t it… Come here… Who’s a scared little puppy… It is scary isn’t it…); • Leave him on his own during the fireworks; • Go to a different place than his familiar, secure surroundings.

This article was written by Monique Bladder, behavioural therapist for dogs. This article may not be copied without prior consent. Links to this article are allowed.