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Keeping Your Dog Safe During Fireworks Season

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8 Survival Tips for Dogs Afraid of Fireworks

Dog Afraid of Fireworks
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As July approaches, it’s time to start planning for fireworks season. Unfortunately, these loud and scary sounds will usually erupt before 4th of July and can randomly last until after Memorial Day. Then, of course, fireworks return for New Year’s. If you have a dog afraid of fireworks, then follow these tips to ensure he’s comfortable and safe!

1. Choose a Safe Room

If your dog is scared of fireworks, plan to stay home during loud firework displays. However, if your neighbor randomly decides to pop fireworks in front of your home, or you plan to attend firework festivities, you’ll need to rethink a few things.

If you’re staying at home during firework displays

Keep your dog in a safe room that has limited views of the fireworks outside. Join your dog and have a camp out in a back room, and watch Netflix movies.

If you’re leaving your dog home alone

Choose a secure room with a door that can be closed. Bathrooms are usually a bit too small, so choose a back room with a bed and couch and preferably with a TV to drown out sounds.

Start practicing this now, and reward your dog for relaxing in this room while you’re away. Feed food stuffed toys only when your dog is alone in this room, so he learns that good things happen in his safe room.

Every day, feed your dog’s meals (stuffed in a puzzle toy) in the room until your dog is comfortable relaxing in there for a couple of hours. Your dog should eventually learn to enjoy walking into his safe room because he knows good things will happen.

2. Drown Out Sounds

Dogs will usually react to loud popping sounds of fireworks, so it’s important to drown out these sounds. Calming music is nice, but it’s just not loud enough. Instead, use a noise machine to block out the sounds of fireworks.

For maximum sound blockage, pair a box fan with the sound machine. Put the sound machine on low-medium volume and turn the box fan all the way up. Bring your dog into his safe room and condition your dog to these sounds.

3. Block Out Flashes of Light

Sudden flashes of firework lights can freak some dogs out, so close blinds and drapes. If a window does not have drapes, cover it with a thick blanket to block out any firework flashes. Again, introduce your dog to this new item while conditioning your dog to his safe room.

4. Use Anxiety Medication

Sometimes, dog anxiety medication is needed. If you have a dog afraid of fireworks, your dog is most likely having a panic attack. Many dogs get so stressed around fireworks they will have seizures—it’s that serious. If your dog panics, then ask your veterinarian for a sedative for your dog. Remember, steer clear of acepromazine, as this sedative can make the problem worse.

5. Use Thundershirts & Pressure Wraps

Thundershirts and pressure wraps both work well, but pressure wraps alone won’t work. You need to take a multi-prong approach when keeping your anxious dog comfortable during fireworks. To be effective, pressure wraps should fit snugly on your dog, but not too tight. Practice wrapping your dog before fireworks season starts.

Only use a Thundershirt if you’re leaving your dog home alone; that way your dog can break away if the Thundershirt gets caught onto something.

6. Consider Pheromones

Yes, calming pheromones do work, but it’s not a cure-all. Again, it’s important to take a combination approach. Spray your dog’s bedding with Adaptil or plug in a diffuser about a week before fireworks begin. Calming pheromones will calm your dog because it mimics the pheromones of a nursing mother dog.

7. Bring Your Dog Potty on Leash

Before it gets dark, bring your dog outside and potty on leash. Even if you have a securely fenced-in yard, fireworks can freak out a dog, which can cause him to bolt out of the backyard.

Believe me, scared dogs can scale a 6-foot fence and scurry under holes, so walk your dog with a 3- to 6-foot leash (no retractable leashes). Still don’t think your dog can escape your backyard during fireworks season? Animal shelters are flooded with dogs on July 5th—it’s their busiest time of the year. Be safe and leash your dog.

8. Update ID and Microchip

Make sure your dog is wearing ID tags during potty breaks. If you’re leaving your dog home alone, always remove his collar or attach a break-away collar with ID tags. Please, if your dog is not already microchipped, do so before fireworks season starts. Then, register the microchip, so your dog can easily be found if something scary should happen.

By combining each tip, you and your dog can enjoy a stress-free fireworks season ahead.

Leaving Your Dog Home Alone on New Year’s Eve

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How to Keep Your Dog Safe on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Dog Safety Tips

New Year's Eve Dog Safety Tips
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New Year’s Eve is mostly celebrated with champagne, food and, of course, fireworks. However, fireworks can be very scary for most dogs, so here’s a couple of tips on keeping your dogs safe and relaxed this New Year’s Eve while you’re out celebrating. Now, you’ll need a combination approach for best results, especially if your dog is afraid of fireworks or loud noises.

Freeze Food Stuffed Toys

A couple of days before New Year’s Eve, gather several of your dog’s food stuffed toys (i.e. Kongs), and fill them with a yummy food stuffing. For a holiday stuffing recipe, check out my dog’s favorite here. Once toys are stuffed, pop them into your freezer overnight (preferably freeze for two days), so they’ll last longer while you’re away.

Choose a Room

Next, it’s time to set up the area where your dog will relax while you’re away. My dogs are usually crated; however, if your dog isn’t crate trained, set him up in your bedroom with the door closed. Locate a room farthest away from rowdy neighbors or choose an interior room without windows to keep outdoor sounds to a minimum.

Keep Your Dog Indoors

Please never leave your dog outside on New Year’s Eve. Block access to the doggie door. If you’ll be gone for more than five to six hours, then I highly recommend hiring a professional pet sitter or taking your dog out to potty. This is such a serious issue that I recommend pottying your dogs on leash in your fenced backyard.

It takes just one loud pop for your dog to either go over, under or through your fence. Both of my dogs are microchipped, so I receive email alerts when a microchipped dog is lost in my area. Each description painfully reiterates the above reasons as to why you should keep your dog indoors or walk him on leash on New Year’s Eve. Take the extra step and keep your dog indoors and potty him on a leash.

Download Music

Music will help drown out loud sounds and keep your dog relaxed, so download Through A Dog’s Ear CD to play while you’re away. We live downtown and the sounds during New Year’s Eve most certainly startle me, but having soft music or the TV playing in the background is very soothing, as it’s a predictable sound. Place a wireless speaker in the room you’ll be leaving your dog alone on New Year’s Eve. It doesn’t have to be right next to them, but in the same room at least.

Provide Medication or Supplements

For dogs afraid of loud sounds, such as fireworks, I highly recommend contacting your veterinarian ahead of time for medication. If your vet recommends acepromazine, ask him or her for something else. This article explains why ace is not always best for dogs. Most vets prescribe trazodone or alprazolam (Xanax), which provide great results. However, it’s important to do a test run first by giving him a dose when you’re home and able to monitor his reactions. You don’t want your dog to have a negative reaction.

Supplements work really well too. They should be given at least 20 minutes before you leave home. For the most part, they last two to four hours. For dogs extremely frightened by loud sounds, prescribed medications may be the better choice. I recently found a fabulous supplement that works quickly and effectively. It was recommended by my holistic vet. Kemin Resources Anxiety & Stress contains melatonin and other relaxing herbs in a chewable tablet. While I’ve tried melatonin on its own as a relaxing supplement, this combination approach provided much better results.

Before Heading Out to Celebrate

About an hour before you leave home, it’s time to get your dog set up comfortably. Set up your dog’s room with lots of frozen food stuffed toys and a wireless speaker (or turn on the TV). Before leaving, feed your dogs and take him out to potty.

About 20 minutes before leaving, give your dog her prescribed medications or supplements and bring her out to potty again. Now, turn on the TV or music and adjust the volume to either medium or low. Dogs have excellent hearing, so blaring music can be a bit disjointing. Make sure it’s loud enough to drown out the sounds, but not so loud it’s downright distracting.

Toss a couple of frozen food stuffed toys in your dog’s crate, close the door, lock up the house and enjoy your New Year’s Eve!

Leaving Two or More Dogs Alone

If you’re keeping two dogs together, make sure they have their own separate areas to relax. Never leave two dogs in one crate or dogs loose in a room together when food stuffed toys are involved. Usually, I’ll crate one dog and leave the other loose in the bedroom. You can also separate your dogs into adjoining rooms by using sturdy baby gates.

Enjoy 2016. Hopefully, your dog has a nice and relaxing experience while you’re away. Happy New Year!

New Year’s Eve Dog Safety Tips

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New Year’s Eve Safety for Dogs

New Year's Eve Dog Safety
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If your dog is fearful of loud sounds, such as fireworks, then staying home and celebrating New Year’s Eve in your recliner is an excellent choice for you and your dogs. Now, staying home won’t reduce your dog’s fear of fireworks or loud New Year’s Eve noises; it’s comforting, but not a solution. For best results, follow these dog safety tips, so your entire household is relaxed and cozy while the rest of the world celebrates the New Year. Plus, you can easily rotate between food stuffed toys, chewies and games for younger dogs.

Freeze Food Stuffed Toys

A day or two before New Year’s Eve, stuff several of your dog’s food stuffed toys and freeze for at least 24 hours. Food toys keep your dog’s brain busy by making him focus on the yummy food inside the toy, which makes him forget about the fireworks and loud sounds outdoors. Don’t forget: make sure the stuffing you use inside the toy is super yummy. Check out my favorite recipe here.

On average, one frozen food stuffed toy will last your dog 15 to 20 minutes, depending on his puzzle skill level. Afterwards, your dog will usually sleep for one to two hours. It’s hard work thinking and licking a toy. 🙂 Based on this average, I would estimate two food stuffed toys for New Year’s Eve, as most fireworks begin at dusk.

Provide Yummy Chewies

Chewing provides tons of mental stimulation, which is key to keeping your dog relaxed and cozy while the world celebrates New Year’s Eve with a bang.

Since you’ll be home, try giving your dog a super yummy chew, such as a bully stick. Any and all chews must be supervised, as it’s so easy for dogs to swallow them accidentally or choke on a large piece. Skip rawhide chews and choose bully sticks instead.  Bully sticks are easily digestible and don’t break into large knots. Plus, you can easily trim any chewed fringes away before your dog swallows them.

Keep the TV On

Music and TV sounds will help keep outside noise levels to a minimum, especially during the midnight explosion. If it gets super noisy, turn your volume up a bit to drown out the sounds. If your dog looks a bit stressed, give him another food stuffed toy or chew. By pairing something fun with something scary, you’ll change your dog’s perception over time.

Leash Your Dog to Potty Outside

When taking your dog outside to potty, especially when festivities are at their peak, please leash your dog. I know you probably have a six-foot privacy fence, but it just takes a stray firecracker to pop too close to your yard, causing your dog to panic. A panicking dog won’t hear your comforting words or take treats; he is freaked out and wants to find safety now. Sometimes, finding safety means jumping over, under or through the fence. Every year, local shelters and animal controls are flooded with dogs that have escaped their own yards even when pet owners were present.

Block access to your dog’s doggie door. He shouldn’t be out in the yard without you. Instead, take him out on leash, so you can keep him calm if something scary happens.

Consider Medications and Supplements

Some dogs are very fearful of fireworks (or any loud sound), so chat with your veterinarian ahead of time. Ask for medication that will keep your dog calm, but not tranquilized during the festivities. By far, trazodone and alprazolam (Xanax) work best. Stay away from acepromazine. Ace basically traps your dog’s scared brain in a body he can’t move.

Don’t forget about supplements! They work well for mildly frightened dogs. Just make sure to give your dog the supplements at least 20 minutes before it gets dark or loud.

Following these simple dog safety tips will most certainly keep everyone safe on New Year’s Eve and keep your dog’s fears from worsening. Happy New Year!

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