Flintshire guide dog owner's firework and Bonfire Night plea

Amanda Baker said her golden retriever Eddie is terrified by the bangs and flashes, leaving him unable to work and in danger of being withdrawn as a guide dog.

Amanda said: “Eddie is sensitive to loud noises but fireworks are something that he really struggles with. He gets himself into such a state and you can’t comfort him. He’s shaking, panting, pacing, crying – he’s a big golden retriever and he’s that scared of fireworks, he climbs all over me.

“We can’t go out when there are fireworks on. We were caught out last year in Manchester while visiting family. We left early at 1pm to make sure we were home before it got dark to try and get him settled, but the train broke down so we were stuck on the rails for hours. By the time we got back, it was already dark.”

Eddie (Image: Guide Dogs)

As they made their way home, the fireworks began. “There were no taxis so we had to walk from the train station – it was awful,” said Amanda.

“Eddie was trying to hide in shop doorways and wouldn’t walk. In the end, we had to lift him and help him walk to get him home. He was still so frightened the next day we had to take him to the vets. He didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to eat. It took us a few days", she added. 

Eddie is now seven-and-a-half. Amanda said: “The older he gets, the worse his reaction. He’s such a gentle dog, very placid and very loving – it’s horrible because there’s no consoling him at all.

"We’ve tried everything that’s been suggested, like making a safe space, but it doesn’t work and he won’t eat or take any treats. At one stage we thought we’d have to withdraw him but we’ve been working really hard and without fireworks, he’s fine.”

Amanda says she is confined to her home during firework season, covering the windows with extra blankets so that Eddie can’t see the flashes.

She said: “We won’t go out because we’re worried we’ll get stuck somewhere and he just won’t be able to move. It’s not just Bonfire Night though, it’s the whole season, the fireworks go on for days. I asked people on a local web page to have consideration but people just didn’t care, I had some horrible comments.

“I’d like people to realise the effect fireworks have on Eddie and the impact on us as a partnership. Eddie is my independence and that’s taken away from me at this time of year.”

Twenty-six percent of guide dog owners reported that their guide dogs show signs of fear and distress when hearing fireworks, with a range of reactions such as trembling, pacing, panting or barking. 

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Guide Dogs is urging people not to buy and set off their own fireworks this year, and instead attend organised local displays. Such events adhere to set times and dates so allow guide dog owners and other dog owners to prepare.

Tim Stafford, Director of Canine Affairs at Guide Dogs said: “We socialise our guide dog puppies consistently from a very early age to all sorts of noises, including recordings of fireworks, to try and ensure they grow into confident adults.

“For the most part this is successful, as the majority of guide dogs do not react to fireworks. A significant proportion still find them incredibly distressing however, and this can impact a guide dog owner’s independence and mobility.

“Fireworks seem to go on for weeks every year and can start at unexpected times. This can lead to guide dog owners having to change their routines and always ensure they are home every evening to try and protect their guide dog.

“In the most extreme cases, in spite of our trainers’ best efforts, fireworks fear may mean the end of a guide dog partnership with the dog having to retire from working life.”