Bangs, Lights and Squeals – It’s the Fireworks.

Owning a noise sensitive dog is an interesting experience during the fireworks period. One of my dogs is going deaf now but my four year old Dalmatian has never been keen on any loud noise, let alone fireworks.

Every year I’ve worked on counter conditioning techniques to attempt to desensitise the poor little mutt to these horrid sounds and lights that anyone without a dog finds entertaining and each year she’s still struggled.

Some things that have helped and you may find useful if you have a similar problem have been:
- Set up a safe spot for her – either a crate if you have one with a blanket hung over it to make it dark and enclosed or just hang a blanket between two pieces of furniture or over the furniture.
- Play some music quite loudly or the television. Be aware that if you are watching the news or a soap, there are likely to be fireworks on the TV too!
- If your dog is not too stressed she may accept some food or want to play – distract her by doing some training or a game.
- Close the curtains etc. to keep out the bright lights.

These things may help but you can also work on desensitising your dog to the fireworks throughout the year so that when the fireworks season arrives, it is less bothersome to your dog.

The Company of Animals has produced a CD called the Noises & Sounds CD which includes the sound of fireworks being set off. The idea with this is to start off quietly when it’s not bothering your dog and build up gradually, ensuring that it’s never too much for her to cope with. Providing something reinforcing when your dog hears these noises, helps her to associate the noises with something positive.

Last year I discovered a product that absolutely changed our lives – it’s called Serene-Um. This is a natural remedy that enhances the levels of Serotonin in the dog’s body, enabling her to accept reinforcement more readily and reduces stress levels. It is not a sedative and does not leave them drowsy but helps them to ‘chill’.
I would never recommend something like this on its own – it’s important to put the work in too. However, teaming this up with our usual desensitisation techniques worked a treat. When it came to fireworks night, Takara was unable to accept much in the way of reinforcement due to her stress levels and so we struggled to get to a stage where she was comfortable with the fireworks. However, with the help of Serene-Um, Takara was able to accept the reinforcement and therefore associate the fireworks with nothing scary. I saw an immediate improvement in her behaviour and am pleased to report that this year, we have already started hearing fireworks and she hasn’t even flinched. She appears not to notice!

For more information on Serene-Um or for help on working with your own dog, please feel free to email: info@pawsitivelypets.co.uk with the subject title ‘fireworks’.