As this time of year comes around we all start worrying about how our dogs and puppies will react to the noises and sight of fireworks. You need to work on desensitising your dog and counter conditioning to ensure that they have a positive experience.
**If your dog is already anxious and you know firework season is fast approaching contact your vet for calming medication and begin this process once the worst part of the season is over.
Equipment Needed
The first thing to do is to buy a CD called ‘crash, bang, wallop’. This CD will provide you with the necessary sounds for desensitizing your dog to the stresses and strains of fireworks and many other unpleasant noises.
You are also going to need whatever motivates your dog the most. Is Fido crazy for treats or does he love to chew on a toy? Think about this as you are going to need the strongest motivator for your dog possible. If your dog loves treats then save the tastiest (usually hot dogs or cheese) for this occasion. If your dog is toy motivated, keep a special toy tucked away out of reach that only comes out when its training time.
How to desensitize and counter condition
Desensitizing is to take your dog from a state of anxiety around a certain stimulus to a relaxed state and counter conditioning will allow your dog to make a positive association with the sounds.
Play your CD at the lowest possible volume, literally so that you cannot hear almost anything. Reward your dog with a game or lavish them with treats. Your dog should not be showing any signs of stress at this point whatsoever. If you do see excessive panting, yawning, scratching or general anxiety then turn that volume further down (you have it too high). If necessary place the CD player in the next room.
TOP TIP Playing the CD at meal times is a great way to make a positive association.
Timing
Repeat this around four times a day for no longer than three minutes. You can squeeze a session in whilst you wait for the kettle to boil its that quick. Keeping it short and sweet is definitely the way to go with fear issues.
Make things fun for your dog and ensure that you are rewarding good behaviours. This is crucial to your success and a peaceful night when those fireworks start banging.
Increasing the noise levels
After you notice your dog is overjoyed when it begins to hear the noisy fireworks you can start to increase the volume. Remember your timing and increase the volume by the slightest increment. Repeat the steps for desensitization and counter conditioning. Rewarding your dog and playing games. You need to be very aware of how your dog is reacting and take the increasing volume at your dogs pace. If you increase too quickly your dog will become anxious. Over a few weeks you can slowly build your dog up until the CD is playing at a considerable volume whilst you and your dog are having a great time! Just make sure you are constantly looking for signs of stress. Read the article on reading my dogs body language for a refresher.
TOP TIP DAP diffusers or collars can help calm your dog through appeasing pheromone.
Your signals
Try to make sure you stay calm and relaxed if you see any anxiety for your dog. Do not respond to anxious behaviour, just calmly take a step back and lower your levels and expectations. Remember you have to go at your dogs rate and there is no quick fix although this method only takes a few minutes a day.
Picture by jonrawlinson
