FinnishLapphund
There's no cow on the ice
Before New Years eve, I thought I should share the things that I can remember, knows, which could help owners with dogs that is afraid of fireworks.
*Perhaps this is only something relevant to Spitz-breed owners, but I check so that my dogs coat/fur is smooth, and not static. If it isn't smooth, they get a bath with lots of conditioner, so that they dont feel like a potential lightning rod when they start to hear the noise from the fireworks (after all, some firework can sound similar to thunder).
*Take a really long walk earlier in the day, and make sure to do something that also gives the brain some exercise, and not just their bodies. Personally, late afternoon/early in the evening (before the fireworks usually starts), I give my dogs plenty of extra yummy gnaw bones, which also helps making my dogs tired, and less likely to become too stressed over the fireworks.
*Play music or watch TV or a film, the dog will probably still hear the fireworks, but it can distract their focus a bit.
*Pull down the blinds.
*Never pity the dog when it is scared, ignore it, or if necessary, talk to it in a calmly positive tone.
*I've heard of people putting cotton wool in their dog's ears to muffle the sound, but I'm neither sure about how effective it is, nor how easy/difficult it is to get a dog to accept having cotton wool in their ears for a whole evening + night.
*Adaptil/D.A.P. diffuser, spray or collar releases calming pheromones which helps some dogs. I havent used a collar, but I know that the diffuser and the spray works a bit differently. The diffuser needs to be plugged in for 24 hours before it has full effect, whereas the spray is mainly used as a complement, spray on e.g. the dog bed or in their crate, about 15 minutes before letting the dog use the bed/crate, the effect of the spray lasts about 2 to 5 hours.
*If you need to give your dog a calming pill, e.g. Zylkène, give the pill/pills + some food, to the dog in the morning or some hours before you expect the fireworks to begin (follow the dosage recommended per day for your dog). If your dog is more than just a little bit scared of fireworks, you can begin giving your dog its daily recommended dose of pills, one or a few days before New Years eve.
*Ive heard that some airport hotels have realised that they can offer something that is sought after by some dog owners during New Years eve. But hotels that is close to e.g. railroads might also have soundproof rooms, so perhaps try to find a hotel that allow dogs and have rooms that are soundproof, especially good if it is at an airport which, as I understand it, is surrounded by a safety zone (= e.g. no fireworks allowed nearby).
*There is supposedly acupressure points that should/could have a calming effect when triggered, massage could also be relaxing.
*If you have problems this year, next year, buy a DVD or similar with the sound of Fireworks on, and try and train your dog to be less stressed by such noise.
*Lastly, if your dog do become stressed, remember to keep calm, take deep breaths and do not get stressed yourself, because if you also get stressed, that will make your dog even more stressed.
Have I forgotten anything?
*Perhaps this is only something relevant to Spitz-breed owners, but I check so that my dogs coat/fur is smooth, and not static. If it isn't smooth, they get a bath with lots of conditioner, so that they dont feel like a potential lightning rod when they start to hear the noise from the fireworks (after all, some firework can sound similar to thunder).
*Take a really long walk earlier in the day, and make sure to do something that also gives the brain some exercise, and not just their bodies. Personally, late afternoon/early in the evening (before the fireworks usually starts), I give my dogs plenty of extra yummy gnaw bones, which also helps making my dogs tired, and less likely to become too stressed over the fireworks.
*Play music or watch TV or a film, the dog will probably still hear the fireworks, but it can distract their focus a bit.
*Pull down the blinds.
*Never pity the dog when it is scared, ignore it, or if necessary, talk to it in a calmly positive tone.
*I've heard of people putting cotton wool in their dog's ears to muffle the sound, but I'm neither sure about how effective it is, nor how easy/difficult it is to get a dog to accept having cotton wool in their ears for a whole evening + night.
*Adaptil/D.A.P. diffuser, spray or collar releases calming pheromones which helps some dogs. I havent used a collar, but I know that the diffuser and the spray works a bit differently. The diffuser needs to be plugged in for 24 hours before it has full effect, whereas the spray is mainly used as a complement, spray on e.g. the dog bed or in their crate, about 15 minutes before letting the dog use the bed/crate, the effect of the spray lasts about 2 to 5 hours.
*If you need to give your dog a calming pill, e.g. Zylkène, give the pill/pills + some food, to the dog in the morning or some hours before you expect the fireworks to begin (follow the dosage recommended per day for your dog). If your dog is more than just a little bit scared of fireworks, you can begin giving your dog its daily recommended dose of pills, one or a few days before New Years eve.
*Ive heard that some airport hotels have realised that they can offer something that is sought after by some dog owners during New Years eve. But hotels that is close to e.g. railroads might also have soundproof rooms, so perhaps try to find a hotel that allow dogs and have rooms that are soundproof, especially good if it is at an airport which, as I understand it, is surrounded by a safety zone (= e.g. no fireworks allowed nearby).
*There is supposedly acupressure points that should/could have a calming effect when triggered, massage could also be relaxing.
*If you have problems this year, next year, buy a DVD or similar with the sound of Fireworks on, and try and train your dog to be less stressed by such noise.
*Lastly, if your dog do become stressed, remember to keep calm, take deep breaths and do not get stressed yourself, because if you also get stressed, that will make your dog even more stressed.
Have I forgotten anything?
