Sudden Anxiety - Noises/Fireworks

[puppygalore]

Hi all, my lovely Lab is just over 3yo now and has generally been bombproof. Last bonfire night she was a bit shaken up on the 2 weekends each side as it was bloody excessive round our way, plus the night itself of course, but nothing extreme. I had done some desensitisation with her a few weeks before bonfire night, as I have done each autumn since I got her, and on the loudest nights just sat with her with calming YouTube dog playlists going and all was well. There were some other festivals in our area involving fireworks in recent months (I think relating to Eid and Pakistani Independence Day) so we heard lots of fireworks quite a few nights in a row then too, but she wasn't really bothered. Her only reaction was she refused to go out in the garden for her usual bedtime wee. After a couple of nights she was fine and back in her old routine.

However tonight she's heard what I assume to be a noise or firework somewhere in the distance (we hadn't heard anything at all) and totally panicked. I'd gone upstairs and was putting the kids to bed, she was asleep in the lounge, when all of a sudden she started madly scratching the lounge door to get out. Has never done that and I've never seen her so shaken up. When I got downstairs she was panting and shaking, ran all around downstairs clearly not knowing what to do with herself, and even got past me and ran upstairs to my bed which she never does (cat territory!) and was clearly hugely distressed.

I'm planning on buying some of those plug in relaxing things - do they actually work? - but wondering if this is a sign of something else. Has anyone's else's dog suddenly become very frightened/anxious? If so should I be speaking to the vet and asking about medication? My thinking is if she's like this now after one random thing, then the forthcoming weeks are going to be hell for her. She doesn't have a crate or bed as she just sleeps on blankets on the sofa or floor, so I'm thinking of making a cosy spot for her behind the sofa so she can hide away if need be. Has anybody got any other tips please? Thank you!

I would try two things. First one is to get a recording of firework noises and play it in the background when there are no fireworks outside. Start at a very quiet volume and gradually increase it over a number of days.

Second one is when the fireworks are actually happening, go and sit outside to watch them, with the dog if possible. Try not to make reassuring noises as that actually tells the dog that there is something to worry about. Just a good dog every so often when it's quiet.

Sound sensitivity increases with age. Loads of studies to back this up.

It is highly unlikely that the methods suggested above will help your dog. DO NOT take them outside whilst there are fireworks going off.

Most dogs are able to work out the difference between cds, recording firework sounds and real fireworks.

Build up safe spaces

Encourage relaxation before the firework season, so loads of licky mats and chew etc

If you hear any load bang or noise reward and praise your dog .

Speak to your vet for medication over the 5th November period.

It has worked for me for all my dogs. I should add that I never forced them into anything, but by me sitting outside when the noise was on (fireworks, thunder etc), they worked out that there wasn't anything to be afraid of. They came and joined me calmly after a while. 🤔

Really glad it worked for your dogs. If your dogs were happy to follow you outside they do not have a phobia to the noise. May work for socialising young dogs to sound.

However once the phobia is deep rooted in an older dog it tends to make things much worse so best avoided.

I bet the OP dog would not willing follow them outside unless they were trying to bolt from the noise which is a very common reaction. Many dogs are lost and injured from bolting from fireworks or loud noises.

It is absolutely fine to reassure your dogs - the dogs are already worried it will not increase the anxiety.

The first one definitely wasn't happy to begin with. He was a rescue Rotti, 8 years old. He hated fireworks and thunder when I first had him. It took a couple of years, but eventually he would sit outside on the patio watching them with me.

The latest isn't bothered by thunder, but I have yet to experience fireworks. Hoping that thunder not bothering him is a good sign.