Fireworks can be a beautiful and exciting way to celebrate holidays and special occasions, but sadly not so great for our animals and wildlife. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans, so the loud noises, bright lights of fireworks the smell and the vibrations can be frightening.
If you have a dog, it’s important to take steps to protect them from fireworks. Here are some tips:
- Create a safe space for your dog. This could be a crate, a closet, or a quiet room in the house. Make sure the space is comfortable and has plenty of bedding. You can also try covering the windows and doors to reduce the noise and light.
- Keep your dog indoors during fireworks displays. This is the best way to keep them safe and prevent them from running away. If you must go outside, keep your dog on a leash at all times.
- Distract your dog with toys and treats. This can help to take their mind off the fireworks and reduce their anxiety. You can also try playing music or TV to help mask the noise.
- Stay calm and reassuring. Dogs can sense our emotions, so it’s important to stay calm and reassuring during fireworks displays. If your dog seems scared, try petting them or talking to them in a soothing voice.
- Mask the sound by playing the TV or radio.
Here are some additional tips to help your dog cope with fireworks:
- Desensitise your dog to the sound of fireworks. There are a number of ways to do this, but one simple method is to play recordings of fireworks at a low volume (youtube). Gradually increase the volume over time until your dog is no longer bothered by the noise.
- Use calming aids. There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription calming aids that can help dogs during fireworks displays. Talk to your veterinarian to see if a calming aid is right for your dog.
- Noise box is a great way to teach a dog to ignore noises while eating their favourate foods. (youtube)
- Seek professional help. If your dog’s fear of fireworks is severe, you may want to consider seeking professional help from a trainer.
Remember that new years day is a lot loader and all at once but at least we can start playing with our dogs and keeping them active just before they start.
