Although fireworks are gorgeous and great fun, your dog will probably have a different opinion. And that could be a problem since there are quite a lot of occasions celebrated with fireworks, starting with the big ones like New Year’s Eve or Fourth of July and ending with the birthday party of your neighbor. An amazing show of lights and sparkles in your dog’s eyes (and especially ears) is more like a night full of loud explosions, flashes of bright light, and unfamiliar odor. But why is that? And what you can do to help a dog scared of fireworks?
Why are dogs scared of fireworks?
Fireworks are unpredictable
To you, a big celebration with fireworks is something that you plan in advance and patiently wait for. But for your dog, it’s just a usual day… until the terror begins. And there is no way to warn him. Celebrations with fireworks are not that common, therefore, your dog can’t get used to it. And dogs love their routines! So it’s only understandable, that something this intense and unexpected could be perceived as a threat.
Dogs have stronger senses
It’s no secret that dogs’ senses are much more powerful than human’s. Besides having an incredible sense of smell, they have better hearing too.
Dogs could not only hear sounds that are not loud enough for humans but also the ones that are too high-pitched for us (dogs can hear frequencies up to about 45kHz, whereas humans can only hear up to 20kHz). It’s due to the structure of their ears: they are big and cupped to better catch the wawes of sound, also, dogs are able to move both of them or even independently of one another (thanks to 18 muscles, whereas the human ear, has only 3).
Therefore, a celebration night with fireworks could be a real challenge for these keen senses. Loud sounds that are tolerable for us could become really uncomfortable for our pets.
Signs that your dog is afraid
At first, it could be helpful to identify if your dog might be scared of fireworks. Carefully observe his behavior in similar situations, that contain loud noises. Look for some signs that would indicate he’s afraid:
- Whinning or barking
- Hiding
- Tail tucked between legs
- Trying to escape
- Shaking
- Panting
- Drooling or licking
- Ears pulled back
- Urinationg or defecating in the
- Shedding
- Aggresive or destructive behavior
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Pacing
If these signs usually occur when your dog faces situations with loud sounds - there is a great chance he will be scared of fireworks too. So you should be prepared for that.
How to help a dog scared of fireworks?
1. Prepare in advance (desensitize)
If your dog is uncomfortable during thunderstorms, while walking in a busy street, or in other situations that contain loud noises – fireworks will probably also provide a similar reaction. Therefore, preparing your dog for firework season early is probably wise.
One way to do that is by introducing your dog to firework sounds. Try playing them on a low level while spending time with your doggo and rewarding him with his favorite treats. This way he will start associating firework sounds with something positive instead of scary. You can even find a special playlist for this cause on Spotify! Check it out here.
In the beginning, the volume of sounds should be barely noticeable and not trigger fear. Then gradually increase the volume while carefully evaluating how your dog reacts. You could also try varying the source of the sounds and using different recordings.
2. Walk and feed your dog before it’s dark
I strongly suggest not taking your dog to outside celebrations with fireworks and not even leaving him leashed outside. Suddenly scared dog could unexpectedly break free and run a long way from home. And big celebrations with lots of fireworks are especially risky. Did you know that more dogs go missing on July 4 than any other day?
Therefore, to avoid all this stress, try walking your dog during the daytime. You might want to feed him too, since there is a possibility, that later he’ll be too anxious to eat.
3. Create a safe space
First of all, make sure that all of the doors and windows are shut and don’t forget to draw the curtains - this way you’ll block the sounds and flashes of light.
If your dog is crate trained, then the crate is probably already his safe space, so just make sure, that it’s available. But if not, your doggo has probably already shown you some of his safe space preferences such as under the bed or in the wardrobe. Let your dog hide there and don’t try to make him come out, because this will probably only increase the level of stress.
If your dog seems not to have a preferred hiding space, you could prepare one for him. A bathroom or other room without windows and with good noise isolation would be perfect. Bring his bed and favorite toys there, also, you could leave him one of your clothes. A familiar scent might have a calming effect on him.
4. Block the sounds
Playing TV or music in the background could obviously help block the firework sounds. But there might actually be one more advantage. According to research by psychologist Deborah Wells of Queens University in Belfast for a Psychology Today article, classical music might have a calming effect on dogs. Therefore, play your dog some Vivaldi music and this will not only block the firework sounds but could also make your doggo feel more relaxed.
5. Try anxiety relieving items
These days, there are items, dedicated especially to relieve the anxiety in dogs. One of them is calming coats. What is that you might ask?
Have you ever heard about weighted blankets for humans? They are heavier than normal blankets to ground your body when you sleep, providing a feeling similar to a firm hug. But why would you want that?
As you know, one of the main symptoms of stress is the fast-beating heart. The pressure from the blanket activates the parasympathetic system, which slows down your heart rate, therefore, making you feel calmer. Also, there is research that suggests weighted blankets reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels. So if you’d like to try using a weighted blanket, you could easily find one here.
Dog calming coats work in a similar way. They are designed to apply gentle, constant pressure to your dog’s torso, which makes them feel safe and calm.
Another fear and anxiety reducing item you could try is a special plush toy. It comes with a heat pack and inserted heart that provides a heartbeat! Dogs are pack animals, therefore cuddling this warm plushy with a heartbeat lets your pet feel as if he’s not alone hence safer. You could even rub the toy to your clothes for it to have a familiar calming scent.
If you’d like to find out more about dog anxiety, you could read about it here.
6. Make sure your dog has ID tag
It’s better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, and that would be your dog escaping. In this case, you’ll definitely want him to come home as quickly as possible. Having your dog microchipped is extremely helpful, but before bringing a lost dog to the vet, most people check for an ID tag. Therefore, it should contain all the important information: your name, address, and phone number. Just make sure that everything is easily readable and up-to-date!
7. Talk with your vet
If none of the above-mentioned suggestions work or if your dog suffers from severe loud noises anxiety, you might want to talk about this with your vet. There are various supplements, that can be safely added to your dog’s diet and provide a calming effect. And in more complicated cases the vet can prescribe anti-anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines and antidepressants to help your dog cope with stressful situations.
8. Consultate with professional pet trainer
Calming supplements and medications are more like emergency help when really needed. But in the long term, you’ll probably want something that would address the cause of the problem instead of simply reducing the symptoms. Therefore, if you’ve tried everything and the problem doesn’t go away (or even worsens with time), then it’s probably time to talk with a professional dog trainer. A specialist (especially one who has experience with this kind of behavioral problem) could provide invaluable advice, that will help your dog.
Major occasions with firework displays
Dog owners whose pets show fearful behavior during loud noises should have in mind major celebrations, that usually contain fireworks. This way, they and especially their doggos will not be caught by surprise.
Of course, these occasions vary according to the country but some of the biggest are:
- New Year’s Eve – Across the Globe (31th of December)
- Independence Day – USA (4th of July)
- Sumidagawa Firework Festival – Japan (the last Saturday in July)
- Guy Fawkes Night – United Kingdom (5th of November)
- Diwali – India (usually lasts five days and is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November)
- Eid Al-Adha – Dubai (While it is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies)
Conclusion
Dog’s fear of fireworks might seem like a big problem, luckily, there are plenty of little things that you could do to help him. Try these tips and hopefully they will quickly improve your situation.
I really hope it was helpful and you’ll soon be able to enjoy the magic of fireworks without worrying about your beloved dog! And if you have any questions or tips, don’t hesitate to drop them below 🙂
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