Preparing for fireworks – start now!
March 21, 2025
We know fireworks ‘season’ seems a long way off – and it is, but now is the best time to start desensitising your dog in readiness, particularly if they are young and this will be their first experience.
Fear of fireworks can start at any age (even in pets who may have taken no notice in previous years), you may be able to associate it with a particular trigger, for example you are out for your evening walk and fireworks start banging in the sky and your dog suddenly wants to rush home. But for some, we never really know what starts the fear association off.
There are lots of signs (not necessarily obvious) that your dog is finding the loud noises distressing:
- Whimpering, whining, barking, crying or growling
- Constantly seeking your attention
- Panting, drooling or lip-licking
- Hiding
- Visible shaking
- Restlessness and pacing
- Loss of appetite
Helping to desensitise them can be extremely beneficial – particularly when done at a young age. Here are our top tips:
- Take this process slowly – it is best done over a number of months and repeated regularly
- Visit the Dogs Trust website and play their Sounds Scary track – start with a very low volume
- Whilst it is playing in the background, provided your dog is not taking any notice, offer them their dinner or a treat
- Follow this up with their favourite indoor game
- Repeat this weekly – each week, gradually increase the volume you are playing the sounds at, until it’s very loud! By this point, your dog should be taking very little notice.
- If your dog becomes distressed or worried when playing the noises, turn them down again. Although it is ok to comfort your dog if they come to you, it is best not to seek them out – they will look to you for direction over worrying events and if you are carrying on making the dinner, chatting etc, they will understand there is no real danger.
If you need any help, please book a video consult with one of our veterinary team or come in to see one of our nurses at their clinics as we are keen to support your pets and have other options available if desensitisation does not work.
