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What to do if your dog is stressed by fireworks
Dogs show they are stressed or anxious in lots of ways, including:
Although it’s difficult to stay calm when your pet is stressed, try not to let your dog know you are worried as it may make the problem worse. Stay calm and act normally. It’s OK to cuddle and stroke your pet if it helps them relax, but if they prefer to hide under your bed, then let them do this instead.
You can also help your dog by:
It goes without saying that you should never shout at your pet. If you have to leave your house during firework season and come home to find your dog has been destructive or toileted, don’t get angry with them. This won’t help and will also make your dog more stressed.
I hope some of these tips will tickle your fancy and you will try one out soon. I bet you will even find yourself reaching for your dog to coddle him during a storm, but stopping. Instead you’ll stay strong and act like it’s no big deal!
Chrissie Dugas, CPDT-KA is the owner of Paw It Forward Training, LLC and an active member in the canine community. To learn more about her and the company, please visit www.pawitforwardtraining.com or call (281) 841-1963.
One final note: please do not leave your dog outside during thunderstorms and fireworks. More dogs go missing on Independence Day than any other day, followed by days that have had severe storms. Get your dog microchipped to be safe as collars and tags often fall off. Also, please do not try desensitization unless you have a professional present. This is a delicate process and if done incorrectly it can make the anxiousness worse.
It’s that time of year! Thunderstorms loom in most weekly forecasts. Independence Day is just around the corner. What does that mean for some dogs? It definitely doesn’t mean a good time! Shaking, pacing, hiding, barking, panting, and even destruction are some of the behaviors your dog will likely display when he is stressed. Here are a few tips to help your dog, and you, through these times of tension.
How to Prepare Your Dog for 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.”