Here we go again. There was a time fireworks went bang and fizz but not now. Today they are more like incendiary devices and high-explosives. It's very disconcerting to all animals... including dogs.
Farm animals deal with it a lot better than domestic pets and there's a reason for that. They don't have us imposing our anxiety on them. Just like children dogs take their cue from the adults around them.
Whatever state of mind your dog is in when you fuss and pet him he assumes you approve. If he is anxious or frightened you will get more of that behaviour by fussing him. He will certainly mimic your reaction, so if you are anxious about him he will be too.
It's a natural human reaction to pacify and calm an anxious pet but we need to do it in a language our dogs understand. They see fussing and fretting as weakness on our part just when they need to draw on our strength.
Providing your dog is not directly exposed to any real physical danger (no one would take their dog to a bonfire would they?) you should ignore your dog's reaction and behave as if nothing was happening.
Let him know you have no concern whatsoever. We see a lot of fireworks in our neighbourhood and my dogs ignore the noise completely.
If you have a dog that already has a firework phobia you can buy CD's to play at various volumes to recondition their response. I've used them and they do work if you condition your dog over a prolonged period.
Go to my website for more training tips.
Photo: Make sure your dog has sweet dreams on Bonfire Night.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.