As we prepare to welcome in the New Year, it’s important you are prepared for Fireworks and your dog experiencing them. Unfortunately, at this time of year, avoiding them is almost impossible.
The best thing you can do as a pet owner is to be aware and prepared.
Here are some helpful tips to make the night a little easier for your furry (or hooved) friends.
Fireworks and your Dog –
🏠 Stay Home if You Can
If you know there are going to be fireworks, try your best to stay home with your pet. Earlier in the day, take your dog for a nice long walk and burn off as much energy as possible. Then feed them a few hours before the fireworks begin.
A well-fed and tired dog is far more likely to stay calm and relaxed during the night.
Fireworks and your Dog-
🎶 Keep Calm and Carry On
If your dog begins to fret, avoid over-soothing or fussing over them. This can accidentally reinforce their fear, as they may think there’s something to worry about.
Instead, stay calm, confident, and upbeat! Create a safe and comfortable hiding place indoors, ideally in a familiar room they are already comfortable in, and help distract them with toys, treats, or even some gentle background music.
Encourage calm behaviour with praise and affection when they’re relaxed. Surround them with their favourite toys, and provide chewable treats or bones to keep them occupied. Chewing for dogs actually releases hormones that are considered ‘happy hormones’ like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins and is an activity that a dog needs to concentrate on. So something they can focus on and chew on can benefit them in many ways.
Continue this positive, reassuring energy both during the fireworks and after the noise has stopped, don’t just walk away the moment things quiet down.
Fireworks and your Dog-
🚪 When Bringing Them Inside Isn’t Possible
Sometimes bringing your dog indoors just isn’t an option. In that case, set up a secure and enclosed space such as a garage or shed, and cover any windows to reduce flashes and noise.
⚠️ Never restrain your dog with a choker chain, rope, or lead. Frightened dogs can panic and injure themselves trying to escape.
Fireworks and your Dog-
🆔 Make Sure They’re Identifiable
Scared dogs often try to run away from the noise and fireworks can come from all directions, making it even more disorienting. Always ensure your pet is wearing an ID tag with your current phone number included and is microchipped with up-to-date details. This greatly increases the chance of being reunited if they do escape.
You can confirm with your vet the current details recorded on your dogs microchip if you are unsure.
🩺 When to Talk to Your Vet
Some dogs can be desensitised to fireworks over time using gradual sound-training techniques. However, not all dogs respond to this. Others may have a true phobia of loud noises and can become extremely distressed. These dogs will often experience the same fear during thunderstorms and around loud, unexpected noises in day to day life.
If your dog shows severe anxiety, shaking, drooling, trying to escape, or not eating, consult your veterinarian. They can recommend behavioural strategies or safe anxiety-relief medications to help manage your pet’s fear.
For other tips on how to keep your dog safe during the festive season, be sure to check out our other blogs here. If your dog requires holiday boarding in future years over the Christmas and New Year Holidays, reach out to us here for a quote. Our secure and safe accommodation offers a calm and relaxing holiday option for those scared of fireworks. We are located in an area that does not experience fireworks as well as offering soundproof accommodation.
