Flashing lights, barbecues, parades, and red, white, and blue flags flying: Fourth of July celebrations have arrived in America, as Americans across the country come together to celebrate the nation’s independence.
But for our furry friends, fireworks may not be such a fun experience, especially as many dogs can find fireworks scary, even if they can only hear and see them from a distance.
Luckily, if your pup has an aversion to fireworks going off in the sky, there are ways to make the whole process a lot more relaxing. Dr. Zazie ToddWe spoke to an animal behavior expert for all the tips you need to keep your dog calm during a fireworks display.
Why are dogs scared of fireworks?
If you’ve ever whispered to your dog that you’re going for a walk, you’ll know that dogs have extremely good hearing — and this can be a problem when they encounter a particularly loud, scary sound like fireworks.
Without any context about what these sounds are, it can be a pretty frightening experience. “We know why there’s this loud explosion or this bright light going on, but dogs don’t,” explains Todd.
“If we don’t do anything to teach them that these sounds are OK, they’re likely going to get scared. And if they’re scared, they’re going to continue to get more scared every time they hear it.”
So how exactly can you teach your dog that loud noises outside aren’t a threat? Well…
Tips for keeping your dog calm during fireworks
Create a suitable environment for your dog
Drawing the curtains and turning on the TV is one way to protect your dog from outside noise and light, but while this may make the sound of fireworks less noticeable, it won’t block them out completely. “This helps, but it’s even more effective if you’re there to reward your dog when there are particularly loud noises,” says Todd.
“A room with closed blinds and soothing sounds is a dog’s happiest place, but that’s their choice. Tidy up the room, but don’t lock your dog in there. It won’t solve the problem, but it will help.”
Don’t be afraid to comfort them
It’s often said that you should not comfort a scared or anxious dog as this will make them more afraid, but there’s no scientific evidence to back this up.
“It’s perfectly OK to comfort your dog – in fact, you are important to them – and when they’re stressed, they’re looking to you for help and to make them feel better,” says Todd.
“Unfortunately, fireworks can be very frightening for them and even your comforts will make them difficult to cope with, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them.”
Try desensitization training
It takes planning, but training your dog properly at a young age can set you up for a lifetime of peaceful firework enjoyment.
“Puppies have a sensitive socialization period from three weeks of age to around 12 to 14 weeks, and we recommend exposing them to quiet firework sounds during this time to prevent any fear of fireworks,” Todd says.
“This will give them a more positive experience and reduce stress for them in the future. They don’t have to be puppies, you can train them at any age, but it’s easier when they’re younger.”
But what if your dog is already afraid of fireworks? Although this exposure training can work, a different approach may be more effective. Rather than getting your dog used to loud noises and flashing lights, building a fun association with the experience can be a great way to reduce the fear.
“The idea with desensitization or counterconditioning is to give your dog a tasty treat that he’ll enjoy every time a loud noise is heard,” Todd says.
“Over time, you develop what’s called a conditioned emotional response. You might even learn to love the sound of fireworks!”
Going to the vet
In some cases, your dog may have had no resistance to fireworks for a long time and then suddenly become extremely frightened of loud noises – in this case it’s worth seeking professional help.
“Scientists at the University of Lincoln Your dog associates fear with pain. “If the fear of fireworks starts later in life, it’s well worth getting tested just to be safe,” Todd explains.
This could be due to a different experience, but it’s best to check with your vet first to be safe.
Get a prescription for medicine
Some of the strategies above require a fair bit of advance planning, but what if you don’t have the time to train your dog?
“Your vet can discuss medications and will often prescribe medication to help your dog survive the fireworks,” explains Todd.
Obviously, this is best used as a one-off technique and you’ll be better off approaching training your dog in the long term.
About our experts
Zazie Todd Author of Pet Psychologyis an award-winning blog that brings you the latest science on our pets and evidence-based pet care practices. Todd has a PhD in Psychology, a Certificate in Training and Counseling from the prestigious Dog Trainer Academy, and an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behavior from International Cat Care. She is the author of the following books: Wag: The science behind making dogs happy and Purring: The science behind making cats happy.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
