6 Ways to Help Relieve Your Dogs Fireworks Anxiety
Fireworks, while fun and beautiful, can be a source of terror for a dog. When fireworks go off they are loud and the noise pattern is unpredictable which can signal to a dog that there is a threat. This is why many dogs often pace around, hide, or pee in the house. Understanding why your dog does these things will allow you to help them and ensure you have a safe and a less anxious dog.
1. Create a Safe Place
If your dog tries to flee when they hear fireworks, the fight or flight section of their brain has activated and they believe danger is coming. It is important to limit their time outside and create a safe environment for them. This could be their crate or even the bathroom. The reason why many dogs hide in the bathroom and more specifically the bathtub is because it mimics that of a cave and allows them to feel safer. If you know your dog does this, put a blanket or their bed in the tub and give them toys to snuggle with. The Snuggle Puppy is a great comfort toy as it recreates the intimacy your dog had with its mother with a real-feel heartbeat.
2. Be There for Your Dog
It is important to comfort your dog during times of stress. Even though your dog might not want to be touched by you or seem unaffected by your attempts at soothing, dogs are pack animals so your presence is still a comfort. Thunder Shirts are another way to hug your dog while allowing them to move around. The pressure provided by these shirts have a calming effect on the nervous system which helps relieve anxiety.
3. Use Comforting Scent
It is well known that dogs hear and smell better than humans, which is why sudden loud noises are scary. Smell is a great distraction for dogs and calming sprays can help relax your dog. These sprays can be used around the room your dog might be pacing or on toys they might be snuggling with.
4. Distract Them
If your dog is very food motivated, distracting them with food could pull their focus away from what is causing them stress. The Tricky Treat Ball is a great way to pull focus! Place your dog's favourite food or treats in and when your dog plays with the ball they fall out. This can keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated resulting in a more relaxed dog.
5. Desensitize Your Dog
If you know your dog is going to be stressed and frightened during any sort of fireworks display then desensitizing them to the noise could help. Play videos of fireworks at random times during the day and slowly increase the volume each time. Remember to start slow and quiet to help build your dog’s tolerance to the noise. If your dog is still stressed try to drown out the noise with the help of the Pet Relaxation System. This noise motion system monitors the ambient volume of the room and when stressors are detected switches on for 30 minutes.
6. Use Pee Pads
If your dog pees when they are scared or nervous, reprimanding them can cause them even more stress. Instead prepare your home by placing pee pads down.
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