🐾 Behaviour, Fireworks & Medication – Why It’s a Team Effort Between Vets and Behaviourists

Dog taking medication

Over the last few days, there’s been a real buzz on social media about behaviour problems, firework fears, and whether dogs should be prescribed medication to help them cope. It’s an important — and often emotional — topic that many owners feel torn about.

So, let’s talk about how behavioural medication really fits into a dog’s care plan and why it works best when behaviourists and vets collaborate closely.

Why Collaboration Is Key

In my work as a Dog Behaviourist, I see many dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or phobias. These aren’t just “bad behaviours” — they’re symptoms of emotional distress.

Here’s how the process should ideally work:

1. Behavioural Assessment:A qualified behaviourist assesses your dog to understand what’s really going on. We look at everything — environment, triggers, emotional state, learning history, and even subtle signals that reveal how your dog feels.

2. Veterinary Partnership:If we identify signs that medication might help, the behaviourist refers to your vet. The vet then rules out any underlying medical issues and, where appropriate, supports the case with behavioural medication.

This partnership ensures that your dog’s health and emotional wellbeing are treated as a whole, not in isolation.

Why Medication Sometimes Matters

Behavioural medication can be an incredibly valuable support tool — especially for dogs whose anxiety or fear is so high that they can’t think clearly or learn effectively.

Medication can:✅ Reduce anxiety and panic✅ Help a dog feel calm and receptive✅ Make learning and behaviour modification possible again

Think of it like giving your dog “emotional breathing space.”It helps them get to a point where they can start to learn new ways of coping.

But Medication Alone Isn’t the Answer

Here’s the key point: medication doesn’t change behaviour on its own.It doesn’t create new emotional pathways or teach your dog new skills — it simply makes it possible for those changes to happen.

That’s where behaviour modification comes in.Through structured, evidence-based training, we teach your dog new associations, replace fear with confidence, and help them understand the world in a calmer, safer way.

Medication and behaviour therapy together = lasting change.

Medication alone = temporary symptom relief.

Don’t Just “Drug the Problem”

It can be tempting, especially during stressful times like fireworks season, to want a quick fix — to just give your dog something to make it stop. But the truth is, sedation isn’t the same as support.

Working with a qualified behaviourist means you’re helping your dog from the inside out — addressing emotions, teaching coping strategies, and rebuilding confidence so they can thrive long after the fireworks end.

The Takeaway

If your dog struggles with fear, anxiety, or reactivity, don’t face it alone.Reach out for professional help — a behaviourist and vet working together can transform your dog’s emotional wellbeing and quality of life.

Because every dog deserves to feel safe, calm, and understood. ❤️

🐾 Need Help with Your Dog’s Behaviour?

Whether your dog is fearful, anxious, or reactive — or you just want to help them feel more confident — I’m here to help.

📩 Contact me here for tailored behavioural support and compassionate, science-based solutions.https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk/contact