How do I calm my dog down during fireworks?
Ultimately, owners can do their best to protect their pets, but it is difficult to avoid Independence Day fireworks if you live in certain areas, for example, in a city, or next to the field chosen to host the display. It is also hard to predict when, exactly, a loud bang might occur at any given time. And these factors lead us to the critical point: What to do about it.
Preparation is key, Baugh emphasizes. There’s only so much one can do in the midst of the frenzy, but taking the right steps weeks or even days ahead of the acute event (i.e., fireworks on July 4) can save a lot of stress on the day for both you and your dog.
There are ways to condition your dog to cope with loud noises ahead of time, too. This kind of training is essential for dogs that work in war zones or policing, for example.
New Jersey-based dog owner Claire Tomasi explains to Inverse how she has tried to do this kind of training with Ticket, her two-and-a-half-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Loud sounds make him uneasy, so she always feeds him a treat after the sound has passed. He has come to associate loud sounds with treats, so now instead of cowering at a bang or rumble, he looks to Tomasi for a reward for being such a good boy.
If you want to try a similar training technique, Baugh cautions owners not to feed the dog a treat before the sound, because the association will backfire: Your dog may come to think that eating treats causes a scary sound.
But ideally, preparation for Independence Day fireworks every year begins during the dog’s earliest moments, when they are a puppy aged between eight and 18 weeks. That’s the perfect time in dogs’ development to teach them that loud bangs don’t necessarily mean danger, and how to respond appropriately.
But no matter your dog’s age or training, when it’s go-time it’s best for owners to have a handful of tricks available.
“You may have to try a couple of things in that moment to see what makes the difference,” Pachel says. It may take a suite of distractions to calm your dog and take their mind off what can sound like armageddon, including:
But after the fireworks are done, that shouldn’t be the end of trying to help your dog, Pachel advises.
“The moment the trigger is gone, it tends to be out of sight, out of mind,” he says.
Rather, once the acute moment is over, it’s in the owner and dog’s best interest to start preparing for the next time it happens, instead of just breathing a sigh of relief.
How do I know if my dog is afraid of fireworks?
Dogs wear their heart on their furry sleeve. If they’re joyful, angry, or frightened, you can usually tell by looking at certain physical cues. As yourself these questions to help gauge whether your dog may be feeling frightened or upset as a result of fireworks:
If a dog runs away howling at the first pop of a firework, that probably means they’re scared — likewise if they cower close by or under the furniture. But there are some telltale cues and facial expressions that aren’t as closely associated with fear, and dog owners ought to know them before the explosions start, Baugh says.
Other physical signs of fear include excessive panting, pacing back and forth, drooling, shallow breathing, and trembling according to Baugh.
“The ears plaster back, their eyes are open wider so that you see more of the whites of their eyes,” he says. Other signs to watch for include a furrowed brow, or dilated pupils.
Experiment with using more than one of these techniques in combination with another. No single method works for every dog and the ultimate goal is for your unique pup to feel calm and comfortable.
1. Shower him with love and positive attention. A common misconception exists that says giving attention to your dog when he’s afraid will only reinforce that fear. This is absolutely false! In fact, the opposite is true. Your dog depends on you for guidance and direction.
3. Try a Thundershirt or Anxiety Wrap. While they may look like just a tight-fitting shirt for your dog, anxiety wraps or Thundershirts, when properly fitted, are designed to apply gentle, even pressure to certain pressure points in the body that instantly calm your dog. Pet parents dealing with all sorts of anxieties in their dogs swear by the wraps for their ability to instantly provide comfort to a frightened pup. (In a pinch, try this DIY anxiety wrap using a scarf or ace banadage)
So, if you know that the loud noise of a thunderstorm or fireworks celebration makes your pooch anxious, providing lots of love and affection in a calm, happy manner will show him that you’re there and will keep him safe. Pet, cuddle, and massage your dog in an attempt to keep him calm and content. Eventually, he should begin to associate the scary noises with something good – positive attention and love – and will react less fearfully.
5. Provide him a safe haven. If your pooch runs to a particular area in your house each time the thunder cracks, make that spot a comfy place for him. Put his blanket and favorite toy there, provide a favorite long-lasting chew or treat, provide “white noise” like soft music or a television, and allow him to stay in that spot until he finally feels okay coming out. Many dogs find great comfort inside of a crate or kennel during times of stress.
Ways On How To Calm Your Dog During New Year’s Fireworks.
Independence Day fireworks may be a source of joy for you, but your pup might not be in on the fun.
Were it up to dog owners (and dogs), pups wouldn’t have to suffer even one moment of a single day. No loneliness, no shots, and definitely no fireworks.
But the reality is less than perfect for dogs (and everyone), so owners do their best to protect and soothe their beloved pets. A few days a year in the U.S. — including July 4 and Labor Day — that means shielding their pooch’s delicate ears from the loud bangs, pops, and whizzes that so terrorize them.
Importantly, when a dog is in distress, its owner often is, too. Helping your pup make it through these nights of loud celebration is good for both your well-being. And to do that, the experts say, you need to be prepared to get creative.
As Chris Pachel, a behavioral veterinarian in Portland, Oregon tells Inverse: “You may have to try a couple of things.”