‘Remember remember 5th of October’ – start preparing your dog for fireworks now

With firework season looming, Dogs Trust is urging dog owners to start preparing now and help reduce the chance of stress for their pets well before Bonfire Night.

The charity is calling on owners to ‘remember, remember 5th of October’ and to take a series of preventative measures to prepare their pooches and help reduce noise-related fears.

With Diwali (October 21), Halloween and November 5 itself all just weeks away, a survey by the rehoming charity says 45% of dog owners say their pets show signs of stress or discomfort when fireworks go off.

It is also reminding owners it’s not just puppies who may be affected. Dogs can develop a fear of loud noises at any stage of their life - even those who’ve never shown signs of anxiety before.

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Hannah Harris, behaviour policy manager at Dogs Trust, said: “Unfortunately, while they are enjoyable for many, the loud noises and bright flashes of fireworks can be very overwhelming for dogs, often triggering signs of fear and anxiety.

“We’re encouraging owners to plan ahead and 'Remember, Remember the 5th October' - a good time to start taking steps to support their dogs during this period. A calm and supportive environment, along with a few small changes to daily routines, can make a huge difference to how well a dog copes during this time of year.

“Owners should also be aware that reactions to fireworks can develop at any age, even in dogs that have never shown fear previously and once they start, they can become worse if not managed properly.”

Dogs Trust top tips to help dogs and their owners through firework season

• Start early - don’t wait until fireworks begin. Start preparing your dog as early as October to minimise the impact fireworks has on them.
• Teach pups to be relaxed with noises – Sounds Scary is a firework soundtrack which may help your puppy remain relaxed when hearing potentially distressing noises. Sounds Scary is not only backed by years of clinical experience, but it is also safe and easy to use in the lead up to autumn festivities.
• Adjust your schedule - plan your walks to make sure your dog is indoors when any fireworks are likely. This might mean changing your routine to walk them earlier in the day and changing your feeding schedule to give your dog time to eat and go to the toilet before dark. 
• Ensure your dog has an established safe space – some dogs will benefit from having a safe place to retreat to should they feel worried by fireworks, even if they have previously never shown signs of worry. Introduce this safe place well in advance and encourage them there by building up positive associations.
  Other dogs will cope best by seeking reassurance, so give them attention and comfort if they seek this out. Some dogs may not seem worried and it’s best to keep them occupied with their favourite items or activities so they don’t start to get anxious; experiment before the firework season begins, and slowly introduce them, to find out what they enjoy the most.  

• Recognise the individual needs of your dog - they can react very differently to fireworks. Some appear relaxed and unbothered by the whizzes and bangs; others show signs of anxiety or fear. They may show subtle signs, such as panting or licking their lips, finding somewhere to hide or seeking attention from their human family. Or they may show more obvious signs, such as pacing, barking or even toileting in the house.
  Whilst these signs can be related to fear of noise, they can also indicate other underlying health problems so please contact your vet for advice if you are concerned.

• Plan your dates - arrange your plans around key fireworks dates, like Bonfire Night and Diwali, to make sure you, or someone your dog knows well, will be at home with them when scary sounds are likely.
  Research local events to find out when local firework displays are and talk to your neighbours to see if they’re planning on having fireworks in their gardens. You might even want to let them know how fireworks affect your dog and what you’re doing to help them.

• Speak to your vet well ahead of fireworks events – your vet can help with advice and may also prescribe medication to help your dog cope. Medication can be extremely useful where dogs are fearful as it can not only help them cope during the fireworks event, but also stop their fear escalating after each event.

For more detailed advice, visit: www.dogstrust.org.uk/fireworks