Helping Your Dog Cope with Fireworks: The Power of Play
As the UK enters firework season, many dog owners are already bracing themselves for what can be a tough few months. With Diwali, Bonfire Night, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve approaching, fireworks will be lighting up the sky – and possibly terrifying our dogs – from now until the New Year.
While starting desensitisation months ago would have been ideal, it’s not too late to help your dog cope with the stress of fireworks. One of the most powerful tools in your toolkit is play. Play not only distracts your dog, but it also changes the brain’s chemistry in ways that can reduce fear and anxiety.
Why Play is Key to Coping with Fireworks
When dogs play, they experience a surge in feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals help to regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of pleasure. The simple act of engaging your dog in games they love can flood their brain with these calming chemicals, making it easier for them to cope with the sounds of fireworks.
Even more powerful, play can counteract the effects of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are released when a dog is frightened. By engaging in play, your dog’s brain shifts focus from fear to enjoyment, and this shift helps to rewire their emotional response to fireworks over time.
The more you can create positive associations with the sounds and sights of fireworks through play, the more resilient your dog becomes. It’s about turning a negative experience into something manageable, even enjoyable.
How to Use Play Effectively
Start Indoors Begin with indoor games where the sounds of fireworks are distant or muffled. Games like tug, fetch, or using a flirt pole help to engage your dog both mentally and physically. By creating this fun association, your dog’s brain starts linking fireworks with the positive emotions of play.
Play When You Hear Fireworks Don’t wait for your dog to react to the fireworks with fear. As soon as you hear fireworks in the distance, engage your dog in a game. This helps to distract them and creates a positive link between the firework sounds and the enjoyable activity. Keep the games rewarding, using their favourite toys or high-value treats.
Avoid Overwhelming Situations While play is helpful, it’s important to avoid taking your dog to a firework display. These large events are too overwhelming for most dogs, and the intense noise and visual stimulation can make the experience terrifying, even with the best preparation. Stick to playing at home or in a safe, familiar environment.
Reassuring Your Dog: Yes, You Can!
There’s a common myth that reassuring your dog will reinforce their fear, but this simply isn’t true. Fear is an emotion, not a behaviour, and you can’t reinforce an emotional response. Supporting your dog when they’re afraid is a key part of helping them feel safe.
When your dog is scared, your calm and reassuring presence is exactly what they need. It’s okay to sit with them, speak softly, and offer comfort. Providing this support won’t make their fear worse; in fact, it can help them feel more secure. You’re their trusted person, and by being there for them in moments of stress, you’re showing them that they can rely on you.
Other Ways to Help Your Dog Cope
Create a Safe Space Set up a quiet, cosy area where your dog can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. This could be a crate, a comfy corner, or a room where they feel secure. Add their favourite bedding, toys, and perhaps some calming music to drown out the fireworks.
Close Curtains and Windows Reducing visual stimuli, like the bright flashes of fireworks, can help to lower your dog’s stress levels. Closing windows also muffles the sound, creating a more peaceful environment.
Use Calming Aids There are several products, such as calming sprays, diffusers, and pressure wraps, that can help reduce anxiety. While these are not a cure-all, they can provide additional comfort alongside play and reassurance.
Consider Gradual Desensitisation If you have time, you can still work on desensitising your dog by playing firework sounds at a low volume, paired with positive reinforcement like treats or play. Gradually increase the volume over time to help your dog get used to the sound.
Speak to your vet There are prescription medications that can help a dog cope with the fear of fireworks and buy you space to help your dog overcome their fears in the longer term.
The Positive Effects of Play on the Brain
When a dog is playing, their brain is flooded with positive neurotransmitters that help them feel good. The release of dopamine, the ‘reward’ chemical, encourages a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction, while serotonin stabilises their mood and reduces anxiety. The act of playing also reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which can spike during fear-inducing events like fireworks.
By engaging in play, you’re helping your dog’s brain naturally shift from a state of fear to a state of happiness and calm. Over time, consistent play during fireworks can actually reshape how your dog responds to these sounds, making them less fearful and more resilient.
Conclusion: Let’s Play, Not Panic
As dog owners, we live in a world where fireworks are a reality. Instead of feeling helpless or frustrated, we can use play as a powerful way to help our dogs cope. By turning this challenging time into a season of fun and support, we not only make fireworks more manageable for our dogs, but we also strengthen our bond with them.
Let’s embrace the power of play, offer reassurance when our dogs need it, and make firework season a little less scary—and a lot more fun.