07/02/2025
It’s that time of year again for big fireworks displays, firecrackers and neighborhood amateurs shooting off fireworks. Is your dog afraid of fireworks? Hopefully not, but if so, hopefully you have your plan in place for the next several evenings / nights and maybe even next weekend.
Here are some helpful tips:
1) If your dog had major fears of this kind of thing, hopefully by now you have talked to your vet about medication to help them through.
2) Exercise and potty your dog for the night an hour before sunset and have them on a leash attached to a snug fitting collar or harness (with ID tag or air tag in the collar) whenever out with them.
3) Once dark, consider keeping the blinds / curtains closed to help muffle the sound and keep them from seeing the fireworks if that is a trigger for them. Turn up the TV some for some background noise.
4) Play with or engage them inside with fun activities while the fireworks are taking place. Use a basement if that helps
5) Consider playing through a good Bluetooth speaker, a sound track on YouTube with calming music like this one. (Link below). I’ve used this with great success with my anxious dogs and cat through the years. https://youtu.be/6shjAYiD8fc?si=L5NsW1bCHCN2cHfJ
5) Stay calm yourself and don’t pour lots of physical affection and cuddle your dog if they are afraid…that only makes things worse in the long run. Let them hang out with you inside, lay by your feet, and if necessary, crate them in a quiet place in the home. Some dogs feel safest in a crate during fireworks. If you aren’t going to be home, provide a safe place like a crate for them to be until you return.
Lastly, be careful around doors… terrified dogs can dart out doors or garages, or open windows in attempt to flee what is scaring them without realizing the noise is coming from outside and sadly this is when some dogs get lost and never return or are killed from being hit by cats as they run in panic.
If you need help desensitizing your puppy / dog to fireworks in preparation for next year’s Independence Day (or News Years), give us a call.