Firework Fear Reduction

People will be gathering and celebrating with one of our favorite forms of entertainment, fireworks! It’s all in good spirits, but to our furry friends, fireworks can be scary. They can cause stress and, unfortunately, push some pets to the point of running away. What can you do to keep them safe and as comfortable as possible?

I’ll keep it short and to the point. Here’s my top recommendations to reduce fear and keeping your dog safe during fireworks.

During or right before the firework show

1. Keep them inside. If possible, keep them in a room or crate away from the celebrations with calming music on. 
2. Keep their minds busy. One of my go-to toys is a Kong filled with yummy peanut butter, mashed sweet potatoes, coconut oil, or plain yogurt. A lick mat will also work.
3. Get that energy out. Take your dog for a long walk or play session before the events. The more tired the dog is, the less energy it will have to react.
4. Playing music that predictable and repetitive such as Lori, Classical or Regge so there’s a noise in the environment your dog can predict. 
5. Allow them to settle in the spaces they seek out to feel safe. That could be in your arms, the closet, under the bed. Mine prefer the bathroom, so I set up dog beds and lots of blankets in there before the big show.

What to do days before the firework show

6. Expose them to the sounds of fireworks on a low sound setting, gradually increasing the sound. Do this for short periods of time and stop if you see any signs of stress. While they listen, pet and comfort them. Throwing in some treats will help them associate good things with the sound of fireworks. 
7. SEEK OUT MEDICAL HELP days before the scheduled firework show. Talk to your vet to find out if behavioral medication is right for your dog now and not at the last minuet.