Fear of bangs is common and usually gets worse without help. Plan ahead, comfort your dog and talk to your vet in good time.
Trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, trying to escape or refusing food are signs of real fear, not disobedience. Comforting a frightened dog does not reinforce the fear: calm closeness helps, as long as the dog can also choose to hide.
Walk the dog on the lead in daylight before the fireworks start, and check that the ID tag and microchip details are up to date, because frightened dogs bolt. Close the curtains, play music or the TV and prepare a cosy den in a quiet room. Keep doors and gates shut.
Sound training, where recorded bangs are played very quietly while the dog eats or plays and the volume is raised slowly over weeks, can reduce the fear. For dogs with strong fear, see your vet well before the season: there are medicines that help, and they must be prescribed for your dog.
Correct answer: No, calm closeness helps
Fear is an emotion, not a trick. Calm comfort helps, as long as the dog can also hide if it wants to.
Correct answer: That the ID tag and microchip details are up to date
Frightened dogs bolt, and up-to-date ID makes it far more likely they come home.
Correct answer: On the lead in daylight, before the fireworks start
Walk early and on the lead so the dog cannot bolt when the first bangs come.
Correct answer: See the vet well before the season
Your vet can help with a plan and, if needed, medicine prescribed for your dog.
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