Despite Guy Fawkes dying in 1606, we all insist on still celebrating his failure to blow up parliament over 400 years later in November every year.
The leader of the infamous Gunpowder plot attempted to assassinate Protestant King James I and install a Catholic head of state on 5 November but was caught before he could carry out his plan.
We’ve celebrated the anniversary nearly every year since but in recent years, dog owners have been less than happy about the fireworks that are set off, due to the trauma it can cause to their pooch.
Although many are able to prepare properly for the actual date, there are usually fireworks going off for a week either side of the actual date, with many seemingly taking advantage of the date to let off fireworks for no real reason.
And this can cause huge issues particularly when dog owners don’t expect it, as they could be walking their dogs late at night only for their pet to bolt away the moment they hear a firework.
Dogs can easily become scared when hearing fireworks (Getty Stock)
If you don’t have a pet, it’s difficult to imagine the impact that it can have on dogs due to their improved hearing, which can allow them to hear noises from four times further away than we can.
As smart as your dog might be, it still will have no idea that fireworks are going to be expected at this time of year, so it cannot prepare in the same way that we can.
Dog owners who know that their dogs struggle with fireworks might already have some plans in place to ensure that they’re feeling comfortable and as stress free as possible, but if you don’t think its necessary, you might want to watch this video which emphasises just how nerve-wracking the sound of a firework can be from a dog’s perspective.
While it might be difficult to avoid your dogs hearing fireworks at all, especially if you live in a busy residential area, there are things you can do to desensitise them ahead of the real thing.
They include building them a cosy indoor den, perhaps using their bed, crate or anywhere that they feel safe. If you can add in some background noise to distract them from the fireworks, while also making sure that the actual noise from the festivities are dulled as much as possible, then that’s a great place to start.
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You can also gradually introduce them to the sound of fireworks in advance, by playing recordings of them at a low volume and slowly increasing it over time if your dog remains comfortable.
A final important tip is to ensure that you give them an early walk and try to get them settled as early as possible, since the fireworks will (usually) be happening in the evning.
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