{"id":338,"date":"2023-11-30T16:34:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T16:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tinashappyhounds.dk\/?p=338"},"modified":"2023-11-30T16:34:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T16:34:04","slug":"fireworks-and-thunderstorms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tinashappyhounds.dk\/?p=338","title":{"rendered":"Fireworks and Thunderstorms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fireworks and thunderstorms<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that many dogs are afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms. For some, the loud noises and bright flashes of light can be overwhelming and terrifying. As a guardian, it\u2019s important to know how to prepare and support your dog during these stressful times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog I will give you some tips for how to handle the situation on the day of the fireworks or thunder. I will also share some advice on how to help your dog overcome or at least decrease their fear of fireworks and thunder. There will also be a lot of links to other great trainers and behaviorists with their advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for what to do on the day of the fireworks or thunderstorms:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips to help your dog feel more comfortable and safer during fireworks or thunderstorms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Create a Safe Space: Designate a cozy, comfortable area in your home where your dog can feel safe and secure. This can be a crate, a room with a comfortable bed, or even just a corner of the house. Make sure the space is away from windows and doors to reduce noise and light. Consider adding some clothing that your dog\u2019s favorite person has worn to provide some added smelly comfort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Use Calming Techniques: There are several calming techniques that can help reduce your dog\u2019s anxiety during fireworks or thunderstorms. For example, playing calming music or using a white noise machine can help drown out the loud noises. You can also try using a calming spray or diffuser, which releases pheromones that can help relax your dog. You can also try using a Thundershirt as this may work on some dogs. Here are a couple of links for Thundershirts: https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-dog-anxiety-vests<\/a> and https:\/\/www.petsathome.com\/shop\/en\/pets\/thundershirt-the-best-solution-for-dog-anxiety<\/a>. You can even make your own: https:\/\/www.whole-dog-journal.com\/behavior\/ttouch-practitioners-explain-canine-body-wrapping\/<\/a> (should only be left on for a maximum of 15 minutes).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Exercise Your Dog: Before the fireworks or thunderstorm begins, take your dog for a long walk, or play a game of tug or fetch as well as doing some mentally stimulating exercises (trick training, scatter feed in long grass, focus games). This will help tire them out and help them relax. Additionally, it\u2019s best to keep your dog indoors during the event to prevent them from running away or getting lost. (Keep them on a lead when walking them on these days).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Consult with Your Vet: If your dog\u2019s fear of fireworks or thunderstorms is severe, you may want to consider speaking with your veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe a situational medication or recommend other strategies to help your dog cope with their anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Cover windows and doors to minimize the bright light flashes and try masking the noise as much as possible \u2013 here\u2019s a good link to learn more about ways to mask noise: https:\/\/eileenanddogs.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/30\/sound-sensitive-reactive-dogs\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These are steps you can take if you don\u2019t have time to prepare and condition your dog for fireworks and thunderstorm, or the fear has just suddenly emerged, and you can help your dog feel more comfortable and safer during these events. Remember to be patient and understanding with your dog, as their fear is a natural response to a stressful situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Distractions<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can try to use distractions to keep your dog under threshold. This can be attempted by doing things with your dog that he normally finds fun or interesting. It can be a training session, food puzzle, any problem-solving exercise \u2013 perhaps some Freework that can be used as a fun and engaging enrichment activity among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to prepare your dog for fireworks or thunderstorms:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even if your dog has so far never had a negative response to fireworks or thunder it\u2019s sensible to make sure that things stay this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are a number of things that you can do to prepare your dog for these events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Medication.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your dog suffers from general anxiety have a chat to your veterinarian about medication for the anxiety. It doesn\u2019t have to be forever, but it will help while you are working on decreasing their anxiety. And as mentioned above there are also situational medicines that you can get for events like Bonfire Night or New Year\u2019s Eve when you know your dog might be scared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Music.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can do music desensitization to both fireworks and thunder. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Choose music (classical, reggae or soft jazz \u2013 or test what your dog seems to enjoy).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Play your dog\u2019s music over at least 10 sessions while playing with your dog, giving fuss, doing enrichment activities, or giving a gentle massage. We are now building a very positive association with the music.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Continue to play the music while doing things your dog enjoys, but now start adding the sounds of fireworks at a low volume.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Repeat this over several training sessions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Start slowly increasing the volume of the sounds of fireworks while playing your dog\u2019s music and still doing things your dog enjoys.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Repeat this over several training sessions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. When Bonfire Night, New Years Eve or other events come around, play your dog\u2019s music, and do things your dog enjoys. Even if it\u2019s just chewing a bone. Keep the music on while the fireworks are ongoing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Repeat these sessions randomly throughout the year so that your dog remembers the music and the positive association: sounds of fireworks = fun things.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Repeat the same process with the sound of thunder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      I recommend the Noise Phobia series from Victoria Stilwell (read more here Music-for-dogs\/canine-noise-phobia-series\/<\/a> ) You can get them as downloads here: Music shop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Calming activities to lower anxiety in general.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Massage. If you are familiar with Tellington T Touch, it may be a good idea to practice it. If you are not familiar with it you can read about it here: https:\/\/ttouch.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Massage is good because body contact releases feel-good-chemicals such as oxytocin and helps calm both the dog and the guardian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here are a couple of links to learn more about the benefits of massage and how to do it: https:\/\/youtu.be\/7wXdEmBDUQE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      The Benefits of Canine Massage: How and Why to Massage Your Dog<\/a><\/blockquote>