Top tips to keep dogs safe and calm during fireworks
If a dog is scared of fireworks occasions, such as Bonfire Night, can be stressful for both them and those caring for them. To make matters worse, fireworks don’t just happen on one night or at set locations, making them unpredictable and seemingly relentless.
Danny Nelis-Rouse, owner of motivational toy company Tug-E-Nuff, gives his top tips to keep dogs safe and calm during fireworks.
Safety first
For dogs who are afraid of fireworks, bolting or escaping is a really serious risk. Make sure your garden or yard is secure, ensure your dog has their tag with your contact details on, and keep your dog on the lead if you have to go outside when fireworks may go off.
It’s also best to walk your dog early during fireworks when it’s still daylight if possible. Opt for sniffy walks and calm playtime to help keep your dog’s arousal levels low.
Limit sound and lights
Closing curtains and playing background music can help reduce how intrusive the sounds and flashing lights of fireworks are for your dog.
While many people recommend classical music or white noise, Taiko drumming can prove more effective because the rhythm is more consistent and the bangs of the drum are more likely to mask the firework sounds.
Keep dogs distracted
Giving your dog something fun to focus on can be a good way to redirect their focus from waiting for bangs to something more positive. Calming games that use a dog’s brain like ‘Find It’ or interactive games like a highly engaged tugging session work well are a good choice.
A toy like Tug-E-Nuff’s The Clam is also a brilliant toy for helping to keep your dog distracted, whilst building positive associations to the bangs on fireworks night. Simply pop a calming dog treat inside and play a game of fetch and retrieve.
Why are some dogs afraid of fireworks?
Dogs experience the world through their senses – eyes, noses, and ears – and fireworks can overwhelm all three, not just their hearing.
Dogs hear sounds at much higher frequencies than humans, and their sense of smell is tens of thousands of times more sensitive. Their world is already rich with stimuli, so fireworks can be incredibly overstimulating.
The good news is there’s lots you can do to help dogs feel safer and more at ease during stressful events like fireworks.
