Fireworks aren’t usually a problem for dogs, but every dog is different. If your dog is afraid of them, there are ways to help them feel secure during the 4th of July. First, learn if your dog is scared of loud noises in general or just fireworks. It’s best to avoid using training tools, like shock collars, with dogs with phobias because these tools can cause more problems than they solve. Instead, try distraction and reward training. In distraction training, you distract your dog from fearful situations. With reward training, your dog learns to associate positive experiences with fireworks or other fearful events.
They are exciting, but for pets, they can cause anxiety, and panic, and even trigger seizures. Fireworks aren’t the only cause of pet anxiety; other causes include thunderstorms, separation anxiety, car travel, and loud noises such as screeching tires and doorbells. Dogs often become anxious when fireworks are going off nearby, and your dog may be especially terrified if you’re setting off your own fireworks at home. What can you do to help your dog that’s afraid of fireworks?
Tips On How to Help Your Dog That’s Afraid of Fireworks
Dog Therapy
Fireworks are exciting, but they can be scary for pets. Dogs might snap, bark, or urinate out of fear. If your dog experiences anxiety during fireworks, sound training can help. Consider enrolling your dog in a canine therapy class or class on pet first aid. Animals learn how to help dogs cope with anxiety through soothing and centring exercises.
Try CBD
Pet owners often fear that loud noises, such as fireworks will put pets at risk. Loud noises, whether fireworks or gunshots, may make your pet anxious. But owners who want to avoid giving their pets unnecessary medications or find more natural solutions will be happy to know that CBD for pets may also reduce anxiety.
Sound Training
Fireworks season is on, and this puts our dog friends and dog parents through a difficult experience:
- The loud explosions.
- The bright lights and sounds.
- The fear they experience from the loud noises.
In response, dogs may act in ways such as panting, pacing, stealing food, hiding, and howling. This can take its toll on your dog’s mental and physical well-being. Use sound training to make your dog adapt to the anxiety caused by fireworks.
Use Calming Vest
Dogs who suffer anxiety from fireworks often go to great lengths to avoid being left alone. They chew holes in your couch, chew on your furniture, and even chew through walls in a desperate attempt to escape. If your dog has separation anxiety, here are some things you can do to help. First, try a calming vest. These vests use gentle vibrations to calm anxious dogs, making them more restive while they’re wearing them. They can also help dogs already suffering from anxiety when left alone in a strange place.
Distract Your Dog
Fireworks are a fun and exciting way to celebrate the summer, but they can also be scary for the dogs in your life. Confusing noise, bright lights, and flashing lights can be overwhelming to your pup. The loud noises, bright lights, and flashing lights can cause your dog to feel anxious, scared, or disoriented. Fearful dogs sometimes act out. They may bark excessively, urinate, defecate, or bite. The loud noises may cause your dog to lose his sense of hearing temporarily. During this situation, try to distract your dog until the fireworks are over.
Minimize the Noise
Your dog is sleeping peacefully, and you hear the fireworks. Suddenly, your dog is startled awake by the loud booms, and he starts barking his head off. At the moment, it may seem like the best thing to do is keep your dog inside, but, of course, that’s not an option. Minimize the noise that your dog can hear by putting a cover in its ear.
Use Comfortable Clothing
Fireworks are fun for most people but not for dogs. Whether your dog fears the sounds of fireworks or the sight of the bright colours bursting in the sky, it can be stressful for both you and your pet. A great way to comfort your dog during fireworks is to use a shirt. It is a soft, comfortable piece of clothing that is designed to calm both cats and dogs. The snug fit helps minimize movement, reducing anxiety. The clothing can also help with car travel, anxiety about the vet, and separation anxiety.
Fireworks can cause panic in dogs, creating fearful and anxious dogs. The noise, light, and colours associated with fireworks may be scary to your dog. If your dog is frightened by fireworks, make sure your pet feels safe. Dogs that are left alone and stressed during fireworks may act out, such as urinating in the house. Keep your dog indoors during the fireworks, provide a safe place to go, and give him soothing words to help him remain calm.
