Early signs your dog is scared of fireworks owners shouldn’t ignore this Bonfire Night

Experts say that ignoring these early signs could lead to a loss of control or lasting behavioural issues.

Bonfire Night is here once again, which allows families across the UK to be captivated by the dark night transforming into bright colours and striking patterns.

However, while we may be awestruck by household or town displays, this can be an extremely stressful time for our beloved pets due to the loud, unpredictable sounds.

While dog owners will be able to see common signs of fear through barking and trembling as the fireworks go out with a bang, experts have revealed that there are early signs out four-legged friends display that shouldn’t be ignored.

Dog training experts from ACME Kennels are urging owners to look out for these subtle signs of fear to help reduce the chances of their pet’s anxiety spiking and leading to long term distress.

If ignored, these early signals could lead to your dog’s stress intensifying, which could lead to panic, injury, or long-term fear and behavioural issues.

Ben McFarlane from ACME Kennels, said: “Unfortunately, Bonfire Night can be extremely distressing for dogs, so it is important that owners recognise the early signs of stress to protect their pet’s welfare.

“A dog that begins to show mild tension, such as body stiffness, lip-licking or a tucked tail, may quickly progress to trying to escape or a loss of toileting control if those signs are ignored as their fear and anxiety increase.

“By noticing and responding to these behaviours early, owners can provide reassurance, create a calm environment and help prevent fear from developing into a lasting problem.”

For those wanting to make sure their canine companion feels safe and secure this Bonfire Night, here are six early signs to watch out for as the celebrations begin.

Six early signs your dog is scared of fireworks

1. Body stiffness and frozen stance

One sign that your furry friend is experiencing stress due to fireworks is if their muscles tense and ‘lock’ into place. This is an indicator that they may be feeling overwhelmed.

While dogs normally have a relaxed feel to their body, a frozen stance can imply an uncertainty about an environment or situation.

2. Lip-licking and yawning

While these signs may seem like subconscious actions from both humans and our pets, experts have revealed displacement behaviours in dogs can often surface when they are unsure about how to respond.

Pet owners are urged to look out for their dog repeatedly yawning at irregular times or continuously licking their lips as this could signal anxiety.

3. Whale-eye

Whale-eye refers to your pet showing the whites of their eyes. This sign can usually be seen if your dog is turning their head while keeping their body forward, which reveals the eye’s white margin.

This action indicates that the dog is watching a perceived threat, which is a sign that they are anxious or scared at the present moment.

4. Tail carriage

When a dog is relaxed or excited about a situation, their tail is usually up and wagging happily. However, when a pooch is anxious or feeling uneasy, they are more likely to carry their tail low or tucked close to the body.

Alternatively, if your dog is feeling heightened stress rather than excitement, this could be indicated by their tail being held rigidly upright.

5. Paw lifting and pacing

Another subtle sign that your dog is afraid of fireworks is if they are continuously lifting their front paw or are pacing in a confined area.

These signals suggest that the dog wants to escape the situation they are in and need to be comforted to help them relax.

6. Ears pinned or swivelling

The final sign from experts to watch out for is if owners notice their dog’s ears are flattened back or are constantly swivelling.

As dogs rely on ear position to filter sounds, these signals could suggest that your dog is experiencing sensory overload, especially in noisy environments.

If your dog is displaying any of these subtle signs on Bonfire Night, this could be an indicator that your beloved pet is frightened by the loud noises outside and is in need of comfort and security.

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