Dogs and fireworks together are generally not a good mix; however, some dogs are not afraid of fireworks in any way. If a dog has been desensitized to loud, unexpected noises he may not be afraid of the fireworks. The fireworks may just be another noise to them. Most dogs though, will likely be extremely afraid of fireworks on the fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, and other holidays, as this is not in their everyday experience.
Dogs and Fireworks: Fourth of July
If you are worried about your dog for the fourth of July ; you can begin desensitizing your dog to the sound of fireworks to make him less anxious throughout the show. To begin the process, you can play videos of recorded fireworks; play the videos softly at first. While the dog is listening to the fireworks, praise him with a treat to connect the sound with a good experience. Over the course of the days following, begin to increase the volume of the videos. Repeat this experience several times per day until the show.
Dogs and Fireworks: Extreme fear
If your dog has an extreme fear of fireworks, desensitization may not be an option. Sometimes, dogs and fireworks simply do not go along well together. The loud, unexpected boom is too much for them to handle. If you absolutely need to bring your dog to the fireworks or will potentially have fireworks exploding in your area and are worried about him, you can speak with your family veterinarian regarding medication for your dog. A sedative or anti-anxiety medication may be necessary to help your dog throughout the duration of the fireworks.
Dogs and Fireworks: Working with our Pet Behaviorist
Is your dog afraid of fireworks ? Working with our pet behaviorist may be beneficial for you in the desensitization process. Even a dog with severe anxiety may be able to be calmed down somewhat throughout the fireworks. Although severe cases may not be completely resolved, the fear may be somewhat eased with the assistance of our pet behavior specialist.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.