To suggest that firework phobias in dogs are more manageable than you might think

[Veterinari]

Every Bonfire night/Christmas/New year there are threads on this.

Most dog owners will know the basics:
Behave normally, have the radio on
Ensure dog has a safe dark comfortable den to hide in
Offer reassurance - you cannot reinforce fear
Long walk during the day to tire out followed by a good feed - more likely to be content and less reactive
Distract with licki mats/frozen kong etc

But also:
Get your dog checked for chronic painful disease - arthritis and dental disease are common and noise phobias are strongly correlated with chronically painful conditions. Treating the pain has been shown to reduce noise phobias (and is good for welfare)
Start firework desensitisation therapy using apps played at low volume or the 'sounds scary' resource.

Use appropriate medication:
Speak to your vet - sileo and pexicon are the licensed medications and can be game changing
Also pain relief if there's an underlying painful condition.

For milder anxieties supplements like zylkene, yucalm etc may help - again speak to your vet or behaviourist.

Adaptil (pheromone) alone is unlikely to make any difference in a phobic dog. Genuine panic/phobia usually needs medication

Thunder shirts and other complementary approaches can be helpful for some dogs but the response varies

[quote bunintheoven88]@Veterinari
Yes, they both had terrible diarrhoea which apparently is a common side effect. Cleaning shit up all night last year was nearly as bad as the fireworks [/quote]
Which medication was it?
Diarrhoea is an uncommon side effect with sileo (I've rarely seen it so it sounds like you were unlucky) in which case pexion would be worth trying as it has an entirely different mechanism of action

Do you work for the National Firework Association?

Exactly @WiddlinDiddlin

There are multiple threads in these issues each year.

And more from people complaining about barking dogs etc. So I thought I'd offer some constructive solutions.
I find it really sad for the dogs that are affected - it must be miserable

@Veterinari I cant quite remember, I think it was Dex something or other, I will ask our Vet about Sileo, we will try anything!

The pexion may be better.
And also counter conditioning throughout the year is important too

Sometimes dogs, like people, won't cope wven with medication, as is the case with many failed gun dogs. Time and reassurance can help but not always eliminate the stress. However you have given people some ideas of what they might do which is always helpful. For future here is hoping loud fireworks will be banned and animals and people who become distressed will no longer suffer.

Yes unfortunately banning fireworks is not within my gift, despite the expectations of some posters on this thread

A switch to noiseless ones would also help

I appreciate the expertise behind your post! Unfortunately we tried everything with my dog and have had to resort to medication but I have seen some other options work. My favourite anecdote is that he became completely relaxed with the fireworks CD I bought and spent many hours increasing his sensitivity too. I was very smug in the run up to Nov 5th, but as soon as the sound of fireworks didn’t come out of our speaker he lost it! Entirely my fault for not anticipating it but if did make me laugh at myself for smugness!

We've done everything on your list except Pexicon - I've never heard of it before.

We use a thunder shirt regularly so she doesn't associate it with the stress. She has extra walks and training. We also feed her pasta mid afternoon when fireworks are expected on the advice of a behaviourist.

The only thing that has worked is Sileo. It's bloody expensive and we often don't have any notice of fireworks being set off. When it comes out of the blue, the Sileo takes quite some time to work and, in the meantime, she's rushing from place to place, looking for somewhere to hide, chewing wires and peeing in corners. She breaks things and gets hurt.

Desensitisation doesn't work because she doesn't perceive the fireworks sounds from a speaker as anything like live fireworks.

it''s not so bad at times like the 5th November because we know when to start the Sileo so she's drugged before they start. It's when people do them for random birthday parties and things that it's hard.

We thought living with 3 big dogs that don't give two hoots about fireworks might help but it doesn't.

It's not just pets though (dogs, horses etc.). It also majorly impacts wildlife. There is already so much pollution - waste, noise, light etc. Quiet fireworks exist.
In addition there is the danger of injury.

🤦🏻‍♀️
No, just no.

I know the intention is good but there is already a significant proportion of people who think this issue is easily fixed.

It isn’t and it’s not helping anyone to perpetuate that idea.

Not all dogs will respond to medication, desensitisation training etc

@ElectricMistofelees

I appreciate the expertise behind your post! Unfortunately we tried everything with my dog and have had to resort to medication but I have seen some other options work. My favourite anecdote is that he became completely relaxed with the fireworks CD I bought and spent many hours increasing his sensitivity too. I was very smug in the run up to Nov 5th, but as soon as the sound of fireworks didn’t come out of our speaker he lost it! Entirely my fault for not anticipating it but if did make me laugh at myself for smugness!

they can be so tricksy!

One thing worth mentioning though is that I'd always suggest anti - anxiety meds as a first line for phobic dogs. Phobias escalate quickly.

Dogs experiencing panic/phobia are unable to learn or respond rationally to any kind of training or reassurance as their brains are totally overwhelmed (amygdala activation). Medication works by reducing this neural response and allowing the 'thinking' part of the brain to function and learn. This means that a panicking dog is physically unable to learn or respond - which is why medication should be used as a first line not a 'last resort'. With the meds on board, other ways of managing the panic are much more effective.

@MrsJunglelow

🤦🏻‍♀️ No, just no.

I know the intention is good but there is already a significant proportion of people who think this issue is easily fixed.

It isn’t and it’s not helping anyone to perpetuate that idea.

Not all dogs will respond to medication, desensitisation training etc

Once again. I've not said that management is easy

(Are people actually reading my OP?)

My point is that with a long term and strategic approach, phobias can be managed.
As several posts have already shown, a lot of dog owners aren't actually aware of the potential options or how they should be used

My cocker spaniel is terrified. He claws at my legs , trembles etc and if I try to comfort him on the sofa, he literally tries to climb on top of me and sit on my face. He hates the bath but last night was so frightened upstairs that he jumped in the empty bath tub and just sat there trembling. It's heartbreaking. I'm going to have to get him something from the vets to clam him.

@Poppinjay

We've done everything on your list except Pexicon - I've never heard of it before.

We use a thunder shirt regularly so she doesn't associate it with the stress. She has extra walks and training. We also feed her pasta mid afternoon when fireworks are expected on the advice of a behaviourist.

The only thing that has worked is Sileo. It's bloody expensive and we often don't have any notice of fireworks being set off. When it comes out of the blue, the Sileo takes quite some time to work and, in the meantime, she's rushing from place to place, looking for somewhere to hide, chewing wires and peeing in corners. She breaks things and gets hurt.

Desensitisation doesn't work because she doesn't perceive the fireworks sounds from a speaker as anything like live fireworks.

it''s not so bad at times like the 5th November because we know when to start the Sileo so she's drugged before they start. It's when people do them for random birthday parties and things that it's hard.

We thought living with 3 big dogs that don't give two hoots about fireworks might help but it doesn't.

That sounds tough. Is she anxious in other ways or just in response to fireworks? You're absolutely right that the unseasonal random events are the most difficult to manage as if the meds aren't already on board they're going to be much less effective.

The pasta tip is a good one too - carbs boost serotonin especially if fed with high tryptophan foods like turkey.

Wow thanks we hadn’t thought of this! Usually I just scream and jump at the fireworks and talk to my dog in a panicked voice!!

We used to have terrible problems with my dog at fireworks night however since shes gone deaf with old age its not a problem at all admittedly not a solution for others to try but every cloud and all that

Our 9mo dog doesn't care, we went out for a walk to watch them last night.
When we realised we would be collecting him during lockdown we put a lot of thought into his socialisation as we were worried about it. We played a lot of different sounds on Alexa including fireworks and baby crying noises, walked him near the busiest roads we could find etc.
Still some might be luck of the draw, I wouldn't assume all dogs could cope if only certain tactics were used and a lot of people have rescues of course.
I think your post offers good advice but could come across as patronising especially if someone is sitting right now with their terrified pet.

One thing we haven't mastered is how excited our pup gets when our cleaner comes round. Only person visiting at the moment. Advice welcome

Good post.

I think some people do just have to accept there isn't a cure for their dog, and find a way to accommodate it. I had one that was fine with any other loud noise, including guns, but the only thing that really worked round bonfire night was a tv or music in every room to drown out the noise and a nice sheltered bolt hole in the middle of the house with a trusted human nearby.

I've always found horses the easiest to manage, provided you have the right set up. Their herd instinct is far stronger than any other domestic pet, provided you have a lead mare that isn't bothered the rest follow suit. (However I realise that not all yards are set up to make that practical so it's not a criticism of anyone with a horse that does stress)

@Lolwhat

Wow thanks we hadn’t thought of this! Usually I just scream and jump at the fireworks and talk to my dog in a panicked voice!!

Great to have an expert on the thread! You and @Premiumhaircut should get together and share your tips. I'm sure we'd all learn something

Veterinari really knows her stuff and spends a lot of time giving free advice to stuck pet owners on here. Including me.

That's all very well with normal fireworks. When they're the ones that sound like cannon fire or a bomb going off decibel wise, which they favour where I live, fat chance. And you'd be surprised how many people don't realise a dark hidey hole is the most basic thing you should do. They seem to think just a cuddle is going to help.

@37weekswithno2

Our 9mo dog doesn't care, we went out for a walk to watch them last night. When we realised we would be collecting him during lockdown we put a lot of thought into his socialisation as we were worried about it. We played a lot of different sounds on Alexa including fireworks and baby crying noises, walked him near the busiest roads we could find etc. Still some might be luck of the draw, I wouldn't assume all dogs could cope if only certain tactics were used and a lot of people have rescues of course. I think your post offers good advice but could come across as patronising especially if someone is sitting right now with their terrified pet.

One thing we haven't mastered is how excited our pup gets when our cleaner comes round. Only person visiting at the moment. Advice welcome

You make a really good point and as with anything prevention is better than cure!

Noise habituation is a hugely important part of socialisation (along with nail clipping/paw touching and ear touching - your vet will be grateful!)

Proper systematic habituation during the socialisation period can have lifelong benefits.

@CSIblonde

That's all very well with normal fireworks. When they're the ones that sound like cannon fire or a bomb going off decibel wise, which they favour where I live, fat chance. And you'd be surprised how many people don't realise a dark hidey hole is the most basic thing you should do. They seem to think just a cuddle is going to help.

Reassurance and tactile contact can definitely help some dogs, hidey holes might work better for others. It's often a case of making sure everything is available pre-emptively and also ensuring that meds are on board if needed too.

*You make a really good point and as with anything prevention is better than cure!

Noise habituation is a hugely important part of socialisation (along with nail clipping/paw touching and ear touching - your vet will be grateful!)

Proper systematic habituation during the socialisation period can have lifelong benefits.*

I definitely think prevention is the way if at all possible and in the first 6 months of life. Our last dog was 4 when we got him, he was only toilet trained no other training. Thankfully he was very good natured. BUT he would not tolerate certain things; tooth brushing, paw touching, baths etc they were always a battle. He was also fussy with food.

I'm amazed by how tolerant our 9mo is and think it is really because we focussed a huge amount on socialisation, different noises, touch, etc. He opens his mouth now when he sees his toothbrush, stands sedately when we're brushing him, would literally let you do anything to him and just roll onto his back.