Many of us associate fireworks with 4th of July exclusively. For others fireworks are seen as a fun way of celebrating events year round and in some areas of the country have become a feature in holiday festivities. Dogs can be scared of many things, but for many fireworks are right at the top of that list. The unexpected noises and flashing lights all coming at unpredictable intervals can make a dog feel threatened. Some dogs will bark to fight off this threat, while others will run and hide. Dogs hear twice as many frequencies as humans and can hear sounds that are four times further away. So what may sound loud to us, is going to sound even louder and potentially more scary to a dog. So what is the best thing to do when your dog is scared of fireworks? The following tips may help both you and your dog manage those evenings:
Get exercise in early.
Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day before it gets dark and the fireworks display begins.
Keep your dog inside.
There is a higher incidence of runaway dogs when fireworks are set off. Find out when the firework display is likely to start and keep your dog inside during that time.
Keep as much noise out as possible.
Close all windows and doors in your home so that noise levels from outside are reduced. That’s not too hard to do when it is colder in the winter months You can also draw blinds or close drapes for extra noise reduction too.
Use distraction techniques.
When the display is taking place, try to distract your dog with other sounds, such as the TV or by playing music. Play games with your dog and reward him with treats.
Create a safe zone.
Make sure that your dog has easy, unobstructed access to his safe area. This may be the crate or dog bed, so allow your dog to take himself there and allow him to stay there for the evening if that is where he feels most comfortable.
Relax.
Keep calm yourself and do not appear to look hassled. Dogs often pick up on how their owner is feeling and if you are calm your dog is likely to feel calmer too.
Additional assistance.
Your veterinarian may be able to suggest a dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) or calming scent that you can use to reduce your dog’s anxiety.
