Twice a year, around New Years’ time and Canada day, I see a flood of two types of posts.
The first type is coming from angry and desperate dog owners who demand that everyone around stops using fireworks because their dog is scared of loud noises. They post sad pictures of their dog wearing a pressure suit or they inquire about all sorts of medications they can try to calm their pet down so that nobody runs away, and everyone can survive one night of fireworks.
The second type happily posts pictures of themselves taking their dog to see the fireworks, which makes the first type of dog owners significantly angrier. They brag about their dog’s indifference to lights and noises and crowds and end their posts with something that appeals to everybody’s humanity, like “Fido LOVED watching fireworks with us! Such as good boy!”
Both of these types of dog owners demonstrate blunt ignorance in that they are purposefully, even if unwillingly, endangering their dogs’ lives.
Believe it or not, many dogs do not like gunshots and fireworks. Yes, even gun dogs can be what we call “gun shy.” The dogs’ hearing is so much better than humans', and it is natural for all creatures to be startled by loud noises. There are some dogs who just do not care about fireworks (these dogs are usually a result of careful breeding effort or a very lucky genetic combination), but an absolute majority will need to be taught how to react to these unfamiliar sounds.
Many good breeders specifically expose their puppies to the sounds of gunshots. Some turn on TV with full sound on of an action movie, where people constantly shoot at each other. Others put YouTube videos of fireworks sounds on loop while the puppies are sleeping. This is called “desensitizing,” and eventually, the puppies learn to ignore the loud sounds, because they are just an insignificant part of their environment.
This work must continue when the puppy goes home, at least until they are around 9 months old and have gone through most fear stages. This work means teaching your dog to react to fireworks properly, that is, to completely ignore them. This work is a part of what so many of you know as “socialization.”
With that being said, there are dogs whose fear of sounds is genetic and is very hard or, sometimes, impossible to overcome as it is related to some kind of mental issue. These dogs still need to be prepared, though, and not in a way most pet owners think. That is, coddling them, cuddling with them under a table, inviting them to sleep with you in your bed at night, or shoving peanut butter in their face is NOT what I mean by “preparation.” Preparing for fireworks season with these types of dogs means keeping them safely contained and, at all costs, absolutely avoid any type of fussing. Containing gun-shy dogs will prevent bolting and running away. Fuss-free environment will remove any additional stress from your dog’s life—if it is shivering and hiding under a couch it is already stressed, no need to worry it more by behaving in an unusual for yourself manner.
If your dog won a genetic lottery or if you got it from a good breeder who worked with their puppies on ignoring loud sounds, there still is not a single reason why a dog needs to go and see fireworks, especially in a place that is crowded. The reason is quite simple: there are too many people around and too many variables. Your dog might not care about sounds, but how about yelling children, loud laughing or arguing, or being stepped on? Why risk your dog’s safety at all? Making a FB post is surely not worth it. Therefore, keep them contained in a safety of your homes, too.
Of course, fireworks are not happening today, tomorrow, or even this month. But New Years’ celebrations are not that far away, and perhaps, if you start preparing your dog for this event now, you will end up treating fireworks nights just like they are supposed to be treated: fun and exuberant, but none of your dog’s business.