Removing the dog's fear of rockets is not always going to be possible. When we talk about traumas or fears, carrying out a systematic desensitization process together with a professional can be very effective, but when we talk about phobias, the process can take much longer and can even be impossible to treat. However, there are some tips to calm a dog scared by firecrackers that you can use.
These are very useful and simple tricks to carry out, especially indicated if we have not had time to go to the veterinarian or the dog trainer. Next, on our site we explain what to do if your dog is afraid of rockets.
Why are dogs afraid of rockets?
It is totally normal for a dog to be startled by loud noises because his sense of hearing is more sensitive than ours, which implies that it can hear sound frequencies imperceptible to us and, therefore, feel more intensely the noises that we do perceive. In this way, a noise as strong as that produced by a rocket, firecracker or firework is received by the dog's ear in a much more intense way. Perceiving this noise, the survival instinct makes the dog try to flee or hide to save his life. In the most serious cases we can also observe excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, tremors and abnormal behavior.
So, what do dogs feel when they hear rockets? They perceive that noise up to three times louder than us [1] However, it is not only the intensity of the noise that causes them to feel afraid or frightened, the fact of being sudden and unexpected, as well as the lights that usually accompany it, are also influencing factors. Not all dogs develop fear or phobia of rockets (sonophobia), some are simply scared by the sound for the reasons explained, but do not experience that fear. However, many do suffer from it for various reasons. There are three main causes that can make your dog afraid of fireworks, firecrackers and rockets:
- Genetics: Fear is one of the behavioral characteristics that a puppy can inherit from its parent. The propensity toward this fearful behavior may be the trigger for fear-related behaviors.
- Traumas: A negative experience, even if not directly related to a rocket, can cause lifelong trauma to a dog.
- Socialization: if we have not worked correctly on the habituation to loud noises in their socialization stage (between 3 weeks and 3 months of life), it is likely that our dog, faced with the arrival of fears, will act negatively or frightened the first time he hears fireworks.
These are the main reasons why dogs are frightened by fireworks, however, the fear of rockets can also develop without bad experiences and even if the dog was well socialized as a puppy with this type of noise and situations. Some diseases or the loss of some of their senses (deafness, blindness…) can encourage the appearance of fears and phobias.
Remember that if your dog is afraid of everything, not just rockets, it would be interesting to consult a professional to find out if he has suffered from sensory deprivation syndrome(puppies that have been completely isolated from the environment) or there is a behavioral problem that needs to be addressed.
How to act if a dog is afraid of fireworks?
Believe it or not, the reaction to the dog's behavior is key to the acquisition of phobias. Running away at full speed with him, caressing him, dedicating words of calm, etc., are acts that reinforce the dog's altered behavior without us realizing it. By trying to reassure him we are only reinforcing behavior that does not benefit our best friend at all.
So, how to act if our dog gets scared by fireworks? It is best to try to maintain a normal attitude (as far as possible) trying to ignore the dog's scary behavior. We must not touch, caress or reward him if he is nervous, excited or especially hyperactive.
Yes, it is important to highlight that fear is an emotion and that emotions cannot be reinforced, unlike behaviors. Therefore, we will avoid reinforcing behaviors that incite nervousness, but we will be able to pet him and offer him treats if he is calm, hidden in a place or glued to our side.
How to reassure a dog scared by rockets?
If you don't have time to follow a complete sensitization process or you don't feel qualified to do it, you can follow these tips for the day of the fireworksRemember that you can also use them when you don't know what to do when a dog is afraid of thunder.
Does your dog go crazy with rockets? Do you need to know how to make your dog not be scared by fireworks? These five points will help you know how to calm a dog that is scared by firecrackers and in general how to calm a dog that is scared by any kind of loud noise:
- Don't leave him alone: It is not recommended to leave a dog alone at home, especially if he is very afraid and carries out destructive behaviors. In addition to avoiding a possible domestic accident, being by your side will help you feel safer.
- Create a nest: To create a nest you can use a cardboard box, a carrier or a "cave" type dog bed ". It should be a dark and comfortable place, so you can put blankets and a toy inside it. We will place the "nest" in a place away from windows and noise from the street. In order for him to begin to get acquainted with it, you must put the nest a few days before the fires and you must work on a positive association. The best thing to do is to reinforce him with a "very good" every time he enters and encourage him to enter by leaving treats and tasty prizes there. Of course, never push or force him to enter. Also leave some water nearby.
- Isolate him from the noise: Apart from closing the windows during the fires, you can also play relaxing music at a high volume. Although you will still perceive the vibrations, the sound will not be as shocking. At this point, if your home is not sufficiently insulated, you can choose to purchase earmuffs for dogs afraid of rockets. This product will completely isolate the dog from noise and sounds, but we must emphasize that not everyone accepts them and, again, forcing them to wear them is not advisable.
- Offer a distraction: Although some dogs refuse to eat or play at these times, offering a raw bone, a food-dispensing toy food or a favorite stuffed animal can help distract him.
- Use Pheromones: Synthetic pheromones, also known as DAP, are a mixture of stress and fatty acids that mimic the sebaceous glands that release bitches in the lactation period. They have a mainly calming function and help lower anxiety levels. You should look for those that have studies that support their effectiveness.
By following these tricks you will isolate your dog from the environment, favoring a state of calm and relaxation away from the stress of popular festivals. Remember that if your dog is afraid of rockets, it is recommended that children and strangers do not try to manipulate or bother him in moments of fear, since the dog could react negatively.
If you're still wondering how to relax a dog that's afraid of fireworks despite the above tips, the Tellington Ttouch method, developed by dog trainer and therapist Linda Tellington Jones, can also give you good results Regarding the relaxing massages Of course, remember that these massages should be started when the dog is as calm as possible to avoid reinforcing altered behavior. In this video you will find a simple way to reassure your dog scared by rockets or firecrackers through a massage:
How to get rid of a dog's fear of rockets using systematic desensitization?
If we have time before the holidays, we can try to carry out a systematic desensitization process that will help us get used to dog to the presence of rockets, noises and lights in general. You should start practicing at least 1 to 3 months before of the fireworks.
This process is indicated for many different types of phobias and fears, but we must be very cautious and carry it out step by step and with great caution. Never follow this process if your dog reacts aggressively or unpredictably to firecrackers Find out how to sensitize your dog step by step:
1. Choose a booster for your dog
Since we are going to work on desensitization using positive reinforcement, it is essential to have powerful motivation for the dog within our reach. Usually a handful of dog treats can suffice, but s alt-free chicken nuggets or toys can also help. We will always choose thinking about the preferences of our best friend.
two. Relax your dog by seeding
Before starting the awareness session we must prepare the dog to be calm and relaxed. That will favor the acceptance of the stimulus to which we intend to get him used. To do this, we can carry out a sowing, which consists of spreading the bits of food that we have chosen on the ground. The dog will spend time sniffing and searching and this will provide relaxation and well-being. Caresses, kisses and a very positive attitude can't be missing.
3. Get a video of fireworks
It is important that you prepare beforehand so that the volume is not at its maximum and causes fear and confusion in the dog. We'll choose a video where the fireworks can be clearly heard, but we'll set it to a very volume, almost imperceptible These Japanese fireworks can help you.
4. Continue seeding and video for 5 minutes
Scatter pieces of food on the ground again so that the dog will continue looking for food and not focus on the noise of the rockets. Do not try to pet or reward him directly. This process will help you stay distracted and associate the rockets with a tastyreward. After 5 minutes we will turn off the video or audio and continue as if nothing had happened. Our attitude should be calm and calm.
Probably in this first session your dog will be somewhat scared and distrustful and you will not achieve a 100% state of relaxation on his part. It doesn't matter, it's better to make little progress than not at all, feel satisfied if for a moment he has been distracted from the noise and has continued with the sowing.
5. Practice daily
The key to raising awareness is to continue with the process for the necessary time: a week, fifteen days, a month… The time doesn't matter, but the dog at all timesfeel comfortable , safe and rewarded.
Sessions should last about 5 minutes so as not to overwhelm or overstimulate the dog. It is very important that we keep in mind that this is a gradual process that can cost time and effort on our part.
6. Work with authentic pyrotechnics
If possible, once your dog is totally used to to the sound of firecrackers you can try some real fireworks. It is essential that in this last part of the process you are accompanied by an experienced professional.
Finally, we recommend you interrupt the session if at any time you observe an aggressive, excessively upset or inappropriate attitude from your dog. The well-being of your dog and yours come first.
Is it advisable to medicate a dog with a fear of rockets?
In severe cases, when in addition to fear, diarrhoea, panic, vomiting and anorexia, it is indicated to medicate the dog. If you want to know what pills for dogs with fear of rockets you can use, it is best to consult with the veterinarian the option to use anxiolytics or other medication. However, its effects on the dog's body should be tested a few months beforehand to ensure the desired effect.
We recommend completely avoiding drugs containing acepromazine, such as Calmivet or Paciflor, for example, as they increase the dog's state of consciousness, but prevent him from moving, which can cause stress and general panic.
In addition, we leave you a video with hours of relaxing music to further promote a relaxed atmosphere.
Can a dog die from fireworks?
Unfortunately yes. Many dogs suffer from a phobia so great that they can go into cardiac arrest and die. Likewise, many others try to flee from firecrackers in panic and end up suffering fatal accidents, so it is important to make society aware of how negative fireworks are for animals, the environment and even people.
Tips
- Check the effectiveness of your dog's collar or harness.
- Do not force their interaction or approach to the stimulus that causes fear.
- Do not reinforce fearful behavior.
- See a professional if your situation is serious.
