End Fear of Fireworks In Dogs
It is happening with far too many dogs. And your dog can begin to show fear this year, even if it’s never happened before.
I often wonder why we’re finding dogs in this state of panic and anxiety because it’s storming outside. Now, I can remember my grandmother hiding under the covers, but the dogs on the farm never seemed to be hindered by the storm. We can make some correlations to generalized anxiety, learned behavior, or even side effects of vaccines. Yes, I said it.
If I could answer what’s happening in today’s world, and solve this problem for everyone — I would!
But there are some actions we can take and I have seen it work time and time again, with one of my own dogs who somehow developed a fear of storms — and many fosters & client dogs over the years.
Action Plan For Known Anxiety Over Fireworks:
Desensitization: I start with low-level sounds of storms playing on the tv or laptop throughout the day. Almost non-stop, at barely a volume you and I can hear. Every 3-4 days I increase the volume. After about a week, I start making a few short loud bursts of sound. Just a few seconds. And offer an extremely high-value food reward. We can't simulate the atmospheric pressure, but we can desensitize to sound. If your dog is extremely fearful, I would get the essential oils and/or supplement protocol in place during this process too.
Note: you should do sound desensitization with your young puppies long before storm and firework season.
GamePlay: start working on a new "game" -- even if it's just practicing quick drills of basic obedience -- but some engagement activity with you, offering high-value food reward and lots of enthusiasm to keep them engaged.
After the game is learned, begin ONLY playing that game when the desensitization music is playing loudly and eventually when the storm occurs.
Exercise: burn off some energy earlier in the day. Incorporating exercise into your dog's day can be incredibly beneficial. A long walk or a fun play session can help burn off excess energy, making them more relaxed and tired by evening. This can reduce their anxiety and help them cope better with the loud noises. Dig a little deeper on these days than normal!
Mental Stimulation: include mental stimulation in their day through puzzle toys, snuffle mats, or scent games. Practice your training skills, rapid fire skills much like Red-Light Green-Light game. Teach them anything new — anything! Engaging their mind can tire them out and distract them from the upcoming stress. This mental fatigue can complement physical exercise, creating a calmer and more resilient dog come nightfall.
Calming & Anixety relief devices: Take a look at the PEMF mats or Assis Loop!
Supplements :
CBD is another option to consider. But I often find it takes a bit of ramping to reach an amount that helps calm through the storm or fireworks. (Note -- about 85% of what's sold on the public market today is not what it claims to be and may include no CBD at all -- many people find disappointment in CBD products due to poor quality or Hemp Oil rather than CBD)
I recommend CBD Dog Health: Calm
Vitamin B-- I add this as a daily supplement if there are dogs who have more generalized stress or anxiety during the summer months (bonus it helps deter fleas)
Consider these commonly recommended supplements for anxiety issues.
Essential Oils
I also introduce essential oils to dogs who struggle with stress. It’s one of my preferred methods. I can diffuse throughout the day, apply topically to the dog or to me, etc. There are several that come to mind to choose from or blend. Start using your calming oils early in the day and repeat the process as you approach the time the nonsense begins.
See information on introducing & imprinting essential oils as you want to do this several times with no storms in sight!
Cedarwood
Lavender
Rue
Valerian
Vetiver
Frankincense
Tangerine or Orange — Yes, citrus oils are happy oils!
Don’t forget to look at the Tranquil Rollerball or the CBD Calm Roller! I also
really love the Seedlings Baby products for calming the dogs!!
Homeopathic Remedies For Fireworks
Consider your dog’s typical response and choose 1 or 2 of these options to incorporate into your protocol. Learn the basics of homeopathy usage here
Aconite. These pets will be over-anxious and over-sensitive to noise and are easily startled. They can become extremely distressed and panic-stricken and feel very vulnerable. This is a great remedy for when their emotions are very intense and are brought on suddenly. Aconite is a very good remedy for horses!
Arsenicum. This is a great remedy for those pets where they are very anxious, fearful and insecure. These pets can’t be left on their own as this is very frightening for them. They are quick to panic and need to be reassured. These are the pets that are going to demand attention, but this does nothing to reduce their insecurities.
Phosphorus. This remedy is good for all noise phobias. These are the pets that are going to be very restless, nervous and fearful. They tend to be sensitive to sudden noises and easily startle and may be fearful of being touched. This remedy is good for all noise phobias. It can be given once or twice a day.
Borax – This remedy is specific for fears of thunderstorms, sensitivity to noise, and being easily startled with marked irritability.
Gelsemium – Great remedy for fireworks, when we see marked trembling especially from a fright. They can be timid, express terror, scared after a fright, and fears.
Argentum Nitricum – Is a great remedy when the nervous systems are affected especially with anxiety and a range of fears!
Belladonna. Think of Belladonna when an animal has dilated pupils, is violently frightened, and may lash out and bite
Rescue remedy (Flower Essence) This is a wonderful remedy as an in-between to help settle anxiousness and restlessness, and can be easily sprayed into the water bowl.
Check Your Own Energy
Your dog takes cues from you. If you run the pattern of anxiety they are used to, you can put them in that state inadvertently. Stay Calm, Stay confident, and don’t get into a state of stress with them.
In fact, don’t spend all day wishing and hoping that the neighbors won’t fire off fireworks. You know they will. We want to yell at the neighbors and some of you do! It doesn’t help. And it adds fuel to your dog’s anxiety. When fireworks start at my house — the beef liver treats or frozen kongs or meaty bones come out! Now some dogs will be too stressed to take them — but I’m going to work on doing something that engages the nose, and the senses, and show them I’m not worried!
Friends this is doable. You don’t have to get in the bathtub with your dog and you don’t have to see them get really emotional and go through all that drama.
But it does take effort. It takes you putting in some work for a couple of weeks in advance and working through the first few storms real-time with exercises, essential oils, & high-value foods. Commit to doing it and you’re dog will thank you.
No More Fireworks Anxiety. No More Firework Panic.
No More Storm Stress.
Safety Reminders During Fireworks
Stay Inside with your dog until the fireworks end.
Leash Your Dog for any outing, even for a potty break, even if you have a fenced-in yard. It’s better to not go outside at all.
Use only secure martingale collars, or harnesses fitted properly that they cannot back out of.
Ensure your mobile number is on an ID tag, especially if you are travelling or have your dog boarded.
Order Your Dog a GPS tag
Update your microchip contact information today.
Consider this amazing collection for relief:
