Dogs and the fear of fireworks (yes, it's nearly that time of year again!)

[UncleBob]

Hi all,

I know many owners absolutely hate fireworks and the stress that they cause. Given that 5th November is only a month away I thought that I'd put together a blog post on the topic.

I'd be interested in your feedback on two points:

1. Would you say that your dog experienced stress as a result of fireworks?

2. There are two schools of thought on comforting dogs that are experiencing stress as a result of fireworks (or any other event for that matter). The first says that you should not comfort your dog as this rewards and reinforces fearful behaviour. The second says that stress is not a behaviour that is chosen but an automatic physical response and that you should comfort your dog. Are you a comforter or a non-comforter?

Any further comments on how you deal with the situation would be welcomed as would thoughts on potential changes to the legislation.

 

[kateincornwall]

Reuben came to us just after Bonfire Night last year so I dont know how he will react . There were a lot of fireworks in our village on New Years Eve , he wasnt too bad but was anxious , and Nelly doesnt hear a thing bless her . I believe in comforting my dogs if they are distressed about anything , a good old cuddle and reassurance from me x

 

[Sophiedoodle]

I do not know exactly how Oreo will react but I think she was bark. She tends to bark at loud noise (the front door closing, doorbell, etc.) so I think she will bark at the fireworks. However, she never barks at Gus thumping in his hutch, or the pigeons tap dancing on the roof!!
Will be interesting to see how she is.

Lilly, on the other hand, wants to go outside to see what is going on. She barks but I wouldn’t say she is stressed out about it.

 

[Cupcase]

Cassie barks at certain fireworks. The fireworks that go bang don't bother her, it's the ones that swoosh that sets her off. Last year I tuned into a radio station that was playing classical music for dogs, closed all windows and curtains, kept her in the room with us and we had no problems.

I've had a dog in the past that was extremely stressed by them, if that happened now I would have dealt with it with drugs, she was with us at a time when it was frowned upon to pander to the dog, of course I did and blamed myself for her not getting better, she also suffered from loads of other things.

 

[kateincornwall]

Sam used to want to go outdoors , he would sit in the middle of the garden and watch them , eyes skywards x

 

[edzbird]

I found myself having to comfort Belle during a prolonged thunderstorm - it was the lightening that bothered her most. I spoke soft, reassuring words to her and touched her. Not sure how effective I was, but it felt like a natural thing to do. We don't get too many fireworks around here. Our current 2 haven't reacted yet.

 

[Charlie]

I am thankful Hattie & Charlie do not react to fireworks other than the odd "woof" We do get quite a few fireworks round here but we tend not to react when we hear them, don't look out of the window or say anything just carry on as normal. I feel awful if anyone's dogs become anxious it's just awful. xxx

 

[Selina27]

Cassie doesn't really react to the straightforward bangs from fireworks, she is just rather surprised, we live in a very rural area so are not troubled greatly, generally folks only let them off on the actual day or very close too.

But last year my neighbours let off two rockets of the squeally kind. Those distressed her enormously, and was upsetting to see. I don't think any thing I did would have comforted her.

 

[snowbunny]

I can't cast the three votes I need

I have three dogs that don't care a hoot about fireworks etc. Willow doesn't tend to be bad with them, but it depends on her emotional state on the day.
It's just nonsense to believe that you can reinforce fear. It makes absolutely no logical sense. When she is scared, I sit with her, give her long, firm strokes and play classical music quite loudly. If she's very distressed, I make a den out of blankets. Of course, I utilise drugs (Gabapentin) to do what I can to reduce her distress. She seems to prefer me to be quiet than talking to her. Once she is operant, I can help her along by asking her to perform really easy tasks: nose touches, searching for food in a scrunched up blanket etc. The best thing, if I can get there, is to work her towards an excitable state, because she is able to come back to "normal" a lot more quickly if I can do that. But that depends on the level of her fear, obviously.

 

[UncleBob]

Hey all,

The fireworks post is 'live' - Dogs and fireworks-induced stress - help your dog cope - Richie's Room

Do please read it, share it, and comment (either on the post or here on the forum). I tend to view blog posts as a continual Work-In-Progress so I'm happy to update them if any further relevant information comes to light (and you can't beat first-hand experience)

Thanks
UB

 

[SwampDonkey]

We have them going off from late August here. Anytime of the day. We've had a lot over the weekend and expect lots more over the next few weeks. It's Diwali then bonfire night do it all runs into one. All my dogs are ok but they have to he living here

 

[Joy]

Apparently low-noise fireworks now exist. I was away at the weekend so didn't see them, but they had them at our neighbouring town and on FB a number of dog owners were very pleased with how quiet they were (but still visually very impressive).
Low Noise Fireworks Displays Sussex, UK and Europe By Aurora Fireworks

 

[Naya]

Harley gets stressed and barks a lot, paces constantly and pants. We do close curtains, turn TV up etc, but it’s the loud bangs that she hates which is strange as she doesn’t react to gunshots.

 

[kateincornwall]

Reuben wasnt here last 5th November but he did react to the New Years Eve fireworks at our local village pub . He was only a young pup then so fingers crossed he wont be too bad now . Nelly doesnt hear a thing , and if she can hear the odd high pitched one, she doesnt react x

 

[Jen]

Sainsburys aren’t selling them this year to stop fear!

 

[JES72]

They've already started!!
Homer gets very anxious and frightened. He's a lot better now than he used to be but he still needs a lot of intervention from us. If I can, I distract him from pacing around and scratching at carpets by playing ball with him. But this doesn't always work. If the noise event is close by and loud he needs medication, unfortunately his medication is best if given up to an hour before hand and many fireworks are set off in peoples gardens without any warning. The bigger public events we try to get him out of the area.

 

[JES72]

Sainsburys aren’t selling them this year to stop fear!

 

[Stacia]

I had a gun dog who was not in the least afraid of shot, but was of fireworks. She was an independent dog but when fire works went off, she would climb on my knee and be terrified. There is comforting and comforting I think. I would comfort by giving her the safety she craved but wouldn't go,
"there, there, fireworks are a terrible thing, oh you poor dog". I think calm behaviour and showing that you are not scared is the way to go.

 

[UncleBob]

Apparently low-noise fireworks now exist. I was away at the weekend so didn't see them, but they had them at our neighbouring town and on FB a number of dog owners were very pleased with how quiet they were (but still visually very impressive).
Low Noise Fireworks Displays Sussex, UK and Europe By Aurora Fireworks

Thank you Joy. I was aware that they had been used in Italy but not in the UK. Link added to the post.

 

[UncleBob]

Harley gets stressed and barks a lot, paces constantly and pants. We do close curtains, turn TV up etc, but it’s the loud bangs that she hates which is strange as she doesn’t react to gunshots.

Hi Naya. Harv is the same - double-barreled shotgun blast 6 feet away and its no problem but fireworks are in a different league.