It’s important to start preparing your puppy for fireworks season weeks before you expect them to begin because you’ll need to gradually and positively expose them to the sound of fireworks.
You might not know yet how your puppy is going to react. But one thing is for sure, it’s absolutely worth putting the work in early on.
In this blog post we’ll explain why it’s important to prepare your puppy for fireworks season and provide you with a step-by-step guide.
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Why it’s important to prepare your puppy for fireworks season
Introducing your puppy to a variety of sounds when they’re young is an important part of puppy socialisation. Puppies are in the ‘sensitive period for socialisation’ at around 3 – 12 weeks of age, depending on the individual puppy. And during this stage they are more open to and accepting of new sounds.
Adding the sounds that are less common such as fireworks, aeroplanes, thunder etc to those they hear in their immediate environment, such as the hoover or washing machine can help to get them used to these ‘scary’ sounds and avoid problems later in life.
The Kennel Club reports a whopping 80% of owners notice a significant change in their dogs behaviour during the fireworks season and almost a third of owners say their dog is terrified by fireworks. In addition, there’s a 100% increase in dogs going missing during the fireworks season (The Kennel Club, 2021).
Putting in the work now, where you have control over the environment, could make all the difference for your new puppy. You don’t want the fireworks season to begin and your puppy gets such a fright it creates a much bigger issue in the future.
If your puppy is past the sensitive period for socialisation or if you wish to do so, you can follow the steps I’ve outlined below.
*For guardians of older dogs who are already fearful, you can find useful information on the Dogs Trust website and please consult with a qualified professional and your vet.
How to prepare your puppy for fireworks season
You will need:
- Access to a speaker and firework sounds via Spotify, YouTube or similar. The Dogs Trust also offers a selection of sounds via their website here.
- A tasty stuffed Kong, Zogoflex Toppl, Lickimat, Snuffle Mat, appropriate chew or other food enrichment item or DIY game. Please click on the highlighted text for product information and 2 of my other blog posts you might find helpful.
- Or your puppy’s favourite toy.
Step 1
Work in the room where you and your puppy hang out in the evening.
Make sure the volume on your speaker is set very low or at zero. We are going to gradually increase the volume, so the best way to do this is systematically e.g. increase by 2 each time (as long as your puppy is happy and relaxed).
Where possible, set this up whilst your puppy is out of the room.
Step 2
Leave the door to the room open and bring your puppy inside.
Keep the food or toy out of sight. Of course, your puppy will probably smell the food, but as best we can, we want your puppy to learn that the sound of fireworks predicts something awesome.
If your puppy is a little excited, sit and read a book for a few minutes until your puppy relaxes.
Play the sound, then give your puppy something tasty to enjoy (use old towels to protect any carpeted areas) or play their favourite game.
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Step 3
Stay in the room with your puppy to observe them.
Watch your puppy’s body language. Any signs of stress e.g. whale eye, panting, moving away, tail tucked, lip licking, turn the sound off immediately.
You will need to start at a much lower sound next time.
If your puppy is happy and relaxed, increase the volume by a small increment and make a note so you know where to start next time.
Step 4
Turn the sound off when your puppy has finished eating or playing.
Step 5
Repeat this exercise often and gradually increase the volume over a period of time.
Step 6
When fireworks season begins make sure you are prepared with plenty of pups favourite foods. Make sure you are home to observe your puppy and to comfort them if needed.
In this blog post we’ve explained why it’s important to prepare your puppy for fireworks season and have provided a step-by-step guide.
And if you’d love to take the stress out of raising and training your puppy. To know you’re doing everything possible for your new 4-legged friend so they grow up to be an absolute superstar, come and join us inside my Puppy Wise Academy!
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Happy training!
Lindsay xx
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