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Dog behaviourist · Fears and fireworks

Help for frightened dogs in Essex

If bangs, visitors or the car leave your dog shaking, it can learn to cope, at its own pace.

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Sound familiar?

  • They shake, pant or hide when there are bangs, storms or loud noises.
  • They bark, back away or hide when visitors come.
  • They tremble or drool in the car, or refuse to get in.
  • It seems to get worse each year.

What changes

Your dog learns to cope with the things that scare it, gently and at its own pace. Fireworks nights, visitors and car journeys become something you can plan for instead of dread.

How Alex fixes it

  1. AssessmentA 1.5-hour session at our secure Chelmsford field (or at your home, extra). We watch what your dog does, when and why.
  2. A plain explanationWhat is driving the behaviour and what will change it, in plain English, with no jargon.
  3. Practise togetherYou do it with your own dog there and then, with Alex coaching, until it works for you and not just for him.
  4. Follow-ups when you need them£100 an hour at the field, £120 at home, or where the problem really happens, such as your street, the park or your home.
Puppy · Behaviour

“We have an 11 month old boxer puppy who was terrified of walking down flights of stairs. When Alex arrived, we were impressed with his calm and professional manner towards our dog. …”

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“We have an 11 month old boxer puppy who was terrified of walking down flights of stairs. When Alex arrived, we were impressed with his calm and professional manner towards our dog. He explained the reason why our pup had become afraid of the stairs, and the steps that would be taken to overcome this. Alex was able to calm our puppy and help her overcome her fear, to the point where she now walks up and down the stairs for fun! We couldn’t recommend Alex more!”

Angie D. · Google review

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What it costs

First 1.5-hour session at our Chelmsford field
£160
Home visits
£190
Follow-up sessions
£100 an hour (£120 at home)
Residential training, if it suits your dogNew dogs stay a minimum of three weeks; for puppies and behaviour problems we suggest four. Dogs who have trained with us before can book shorter stays, for example while you are away.
£850p/w

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  • You deal with Alex directly, from first message to the last session
  • Master Dog Trainer, Guild of Dog Trainers

Tell Alex what frightens your dog

We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email.

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More about fears and fireworks

Genes and early life. Some dogs are more sensitive from the start. Puppies who missed out on calm, positive experiences of noises, people and places can find them harder later.

One bad experience. A single big scare can be enough. A very frightened dog learns fear fast and calm slowly.

Fear spreads. A dog scared of fireworks may start to fear the garden, evening walks or other bangs, because they link those places with the fright.

Pain. A small study led by the University of Lincoln linked noise sensitivity with muscle and joint pain, especially when the fear starts later in life. If your dog's fear started suddenly, got worse quickly or began when they were older, book a vet check.

  • Let your dog hide if they want to, and don't pull them out.
  • Comfort them if they come to you. Comforting a frightened dog doesn't make the fear worse.
  • Keep them safe. Scared dogs can bolt. Check gates and fences, and keep them on the lead in places they might run.
  • Avoid the things that frighten them for now, where you can. Every big scare adds to the fear.
  • Speak to your vet if your dog is very frightened. Some dogs need medical help alongside training.
  • Never punish fear. Telling a dog off for shaking, barking or having an accident can't stop fear. It only adds to it.

  • Walk early, before dark, and keep your dog on a lead even in the garden.
  • Close curtains, put the TV or radio on, and make a den somewhere your dog already likes.
  • Stay home if you can. Comfort your dog if they want it; you can't make fear worse by being kind.
  • Check their ID tag and microchip details are up to date, in case they bolt.
  • If your vet has prescribed something for noise fear, give it at the time they said, which is usually before the noise starts, not after.

1. A 1-2-1 behaviour session. For many frightened dogs, home is the best place to start, because they feel safest there. We can also meet at our training field at Roxwell if that suits your dog better. It lasts 1.5 hours and costs £160 at our Chelmsford field, or £190 at your home. We look at what frightens your dog, how strongly, and what's adding to it, including signs of pain. Then we agree first steps together. Book a 1-2-1 behaviour session.

2. Slow, gentle practice. We help your dog meet the scary thing at a level so low they barely notice, paired with something they love, and build up bit by bit. This works for noises, visitors, the car and handling. Follow-up sessions are £100 an hour at the training field, £120 an hour at home.

3. Residential, for some dogs. For some dogs, a residential stay helps, because we can work with them every day. We'll tell you honestly whether it suits your dog.

If your dog's fear comes out as barking and lunging on walks, see our page on reactive dogs. If the panic happens when they're left, see help for dogs who struggle to be left.

Fears and phobias FAQs

What does it cost?

£160 for the first 1.5-hour session at our Chelmsford field (£190 at your home), then £100 an hour for follow-ups at the field (£120 at home). You only book follow-ups when you need them, and every price is on our prices page before you start.

Will it last once we're home?

That is what the sessions are built for. You practise with your own dog until it works for you, not just for Alex, and follow-ups (£100 an hour at the field, £120 at home) can happen where the problem really happens: your street, the park or your home.

Is the training kind?

Yes. Training is done calmly, because frustration, anger and harsh methods only slow progress. We never punish a growl or fear, we explain everything we do and why, and you see exactly what we're doing. Alex is a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers.

Why not just do it myself with videos?

You can, and our guides are there to help. Where owners get stuck is timing and reading their own dog. In a session you practise with your dog while Alex coaches, so you see what works for your dog, not a dog in a video. Alex has worked with more than 10,000 dogs in over 15 years.

Is my dog too old, or too difficult, to change?

Usually not. Older dogs learn new habits too, and we check for pain first, because sore joints can be behind a change in behaviour. Dogs that have growled, snapped or bitten are a big part of our work. At the first session we tell you honestly what is realistic, and how to keep everyone safe meanwhile.

Is it OK to comfort my dog when they're scared?

Yes. Comforting a frightened dog doesn't reward the fear. If they come to you, stay close and calm, and stroke them if that helps. Let them hide if they prefer.

Can a dog get over a fear of fireworks?

Many dogs become much less frightened with the right work, done at the right time of year. How far your dog can go depends on how strong the fear is and how long it's been going on.

When should I start working on firework fear?

Once the fireworks season is over, usually after New Year. The quiet months give you time to build up slowly before next autumn.

From the blog

  • Dog scared of fireworks

    Dog scared of fireworks? How to keep them safe on the night, when to call your vet, and how to start sound work after the season. Read Alex's guide.

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hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk · 07557 943 820 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm