Help! How can I help my dog when the fireworks go off?
June 27th, 2010 | Published in Dog Information | 29 Comments
Every year before my dog Nikki went deaf, she would freak out when the fireworks started popping on the 4th of July. She’d shake, whimper and pant. It sounds like a 1950’s dance, but to her, it was no dance or laughing matter. Dogs can become extremely stressed and frightened when the fireworks start and may exhibit strange behaviors. My brother in laws dog used to go into the garage and hide under the truck and just whimper until it was over.
Taking precautions can go a long way to help calm your pets. Here’s a few tips to help make the 4th of July a safe, fun day for you and your pets.
If at all possible, stay at home. Make them comfy with their favorite dog bed or blanket with plenty of water preferably in the quietest room in the house. I’m fortunate to live in an area where they still allow us to buy fireworks. Our neighborhood goes out to our cul-de-sac to light the fireworks which is great because I can go in and check on the dogs to make sure they’re OK.
If you can’t stay home, put them in their crate with a nice bone to chew on or favorite treat. If you don’t use a crate, keep them inside the home and close the doggie door. Dogs, when frightened, will chew through anything to escape. If you have to leave them outside, make sure your fences and gates are secure and there’s no possibility of escape. In the case that they do escape, please have their microchip information updated and they have their collar on with all identification.
Put on classical music or a CD especially made to calm dogs. Animal Music Therapy CD’s are designed to relieve animal stress.
Try alternative holistic remedies such as our natural Spot Organics Chill Essential Oil that’s specifically made to calm dogs in all kinds of situations. Also, the Lettuce Flower Essences from Spirit in Nature can be used as a calming effect.
Leave the radio or TV on. If they fireworks are far away, the sound will help to drown out the noise.
Do you have any remedies that have helped to calm your pet when the fireworks start? I’d love to hear your stories.
Wishing you all a safe, fun 4th of July celebration!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:51 am (#)
Hey!
FREAKED out when there was thunder or fireworks. One year we were gone and when we had come home she had chewed through a screen window, and shoved it open enough to get through. When we left, it was only cracked. We searched high and low for her and couldn’t find her. My dad told me to go upstairs and get ready for bed. I open the door to my closet, and there she was all curled up in the corner! I felt so bad for her! She saw me and came running out all whimpering!!! Horrible! She was an outside/inside dog, but that night she got to sleep with me the whole night! I wish I wouldve know those tips then! Thank you for your insight and love for our doggy friends!
I had to read this. My dog who has since died
Shawna E Anderson
“Your Brain Search & Rescue Program”
shawnaeanderson´s last blog ..10 Effective Networking Tips-
June 28th, 2010 at 10:04 am (#)
Poor little thing! That’s why it’s better to be home on the 4th. I just had a client call (her dog is with me for the 4th for the first time) and she asked me if I was going to be home. It’s a real concern for the owners. I know a Chow Chow that was outside in a thunder storm and chewed through the door and got in. He absolutely freaked out. Thanks for reading. See ya, Chris
June 28th, 2010 at 12:07 pm (#)
Thanks for the education I never new any of this probably because the only pet I have is my husband.
Lisa Landry
Unleashing the Genie Inside.
June 28th, 2010 at 12:13 pm (#)
I am sending this to all my neighbors as the entire valley is filled with dogs who all sound off during the fireworks! While it can be annoying, I am truly concerned about the dogs, as most of them wouldn’t bark if they weren’t scared. These are some great tips, thanks.
Irene Turner´s last blog ..Display Tips for Living with Books-via Napa and Santa Rosa
June 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm (#)
I have two cats, and they don’t like the fireworks either! I appreciate your tips for the dogs, and can apply most of them to my kitties as well. I know the most important thing is to make sure they are indoors, which I have always done. I hope lots of people read your blog!
June 28th, 2010 at 2:16 pm (#)
Yes Donna, it can go for cats too. I hope things go well with your cats this 4th of July.
June 28th, 2010 at 2:18 pm (#)
Thanks Irene, I hope these tips can help the dogs in your valley. You’re right, they are just barking because they’re so scared. It would be great if we could explain it to them, but since we can’t, we can only keep them comfortable.
June 28th, 2010 at 2:18 pm (#)
Good for you Louise! Your a good pet parent!
June 28th, 2010 at 2:19 pm (#)
Very funny and I know what you mean!
June 28th, 2010 at 2:59 pm (#)
Chris,
Our dog, Rudy, hates fireworks and thunder too. He scampers under our bed as quick as he can if he hears either of them. I guess he feels safer there. We do plan to stay home which seems to make him more calm. We also blare the TV which definitely helps to drown out the sound of the fireworks. We don’t mind avoiding the heat and mosquitoes either! Thanks so much for your great tips!
June 28th, 2010 at 4:29 pm (#)
Chris
Great tips. I never thought of using essential oils.
Our dog freaked out with fireworks and thunderstorms. We found out that he would calm down if we sat with him in the living room with the TV on. I guess it drowned out the noise.
Julia M Lindsey´s last blog ..How Important Is A Resource Box and Why Do I Want One
June 28th, 2010 at 5:24 pm (#)
good post, Chris. Atti & Wilbur also get uptight when they hear thunder or fireworks. though I give them as much calming love as possible, it still freaks them out! essential oils for dogs? interesting… I may look into that.
a friend of mine’s goldens, at the sound of fireworks, actually threw themselves through the plate-glass window! no injuries, thankfully, but what a scare.
Atticus, Wilbur and I, do take issue with the proliferation of fireworks, regardless of how they frighten the animals. we live in an extremely dry, hot climate, and we think it’s irresponsible to light any fuses (especially when filled with gun-powder, with the intention to explode). just our opinion…
Heidi Alberti & Atticus´s last blog ..Parched Pup-
June 28th, 2010 at 9:00 pm (#)
Hi Chris-
Thanks for the tips. I do wish I had known them years ago when my dog was alive as she really freaked with any loud noice. One year she actually ran away during some episode of loud noises and she ended up miles away. The only thing that worked (unfortunately) was Ativan which knocked her out. I was glad she became deaf during her later years because she had more peace and we didn’t have to treat her with the drugs.
Candace Davenport
Our Little Books
Candace C. Davenport´s last blog ..How Important Is A Resource Box and Why Do I Want One
June 29th, 2010 at 8:36 am (#)
Chris, this is a very timely post as I have a dog who does get scared of fireworks. You always give some very helpful tips that I do not even think about. It shows that we (pet owners) can always learn something new from you. I think I will try turning the t.v. / radio on, keep her inside the house the whole time, and have her chew on her favorite treat.
Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate them.
Anna
Anna´s last blog ..A Lesson I learned at the Coffee Shop
June 29th, 2010 at 9:59 am (#)
Hi Anna, I’m so glad that I could help you out. Let me know how it goes on the 4th.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:01 am (#)
Hi Candace, yes, it was so much better when my dog went deaf. It never bothered her again. I guess there is some silver linings to bad things.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:04 am (#)
Hi Heidi, check out my website. I sell essential oils for dogs. You’re right about a dry area with fire – not a good combination, however my kids really enjoy lighting the fireworks and it reminds me of how I grew up. We do it in the middle of the street and not around dry grass, but not everyone is that consciencious.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:05 am (#)
Julia, I’m glad you found a remedy that works for you. Yes, there are all kinds of essential oils for dogs. At least you’re not pumping them up with drugs.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:06 am (#)
Hi Renee, poor little Rudy and good for you for staying home with him. I hope this 4th isn’t so bad for him. Take care
June 29th, 2010 at 12:57 pm (#)
this is great, as it applies as much to thunderstorms as it does to the 4th of july. our pup, Skylar, is pretty much okay with thunderstorms + fireworks at this point, but we still take the precautions you mention – if we go out, we put her in her crate with a blanket, favorite stuffed toy, + a nylabone, + put on classical music + a fan in the background for white noise. we love that doggy!
one other idea – when she was little + more nervous, I would take a large blanket and cover the sides/back/top of the crate with it. i’d leave the front area uncovered so she could still see out, but the rest would be covered for a cave-like effect. seemed to help!
amy donovan´s last blog ..june’s au pair meeting in nashville
June 29th, 2010 at 2:34 pm (#)
Hi Chris,
Some very good ideas here to help our four legged friends deal with the 4th. Growing up we had a Saint Bernard named Heidi who was terrified of thunder and fireworks. Now I not sure I am 100% ok with this way to help but, my dad used to give Heidi a shot of rum which she seemed to really like and it would calm her down.
It was very sad to see this big 180lbs dog try to crawl under a bed that she could only get her head under to try and hide from the noise. One shot of rum and she would curl up on her dog bed and go to sleep.
Peace,
-Ron-
Follow the Quest – MyWisdomQuest.com
Ron Britton´s last blog ..Purposefully Unencumbered by Employment
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:21 pm (#)
Music is great. It calms my cat. I tend to stay home in the evening when the fireworks go off. I just like being near my cat to make sure he is okay. Thanks for the article.
Michele C. Hollow´s last blog ..Pet Chamber of Commerce
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:08 am (#)
Very weird – I can’t see my comment from last Monday but your response is there!
Anyway, I did post that we shall be staying home with our dogs because they don’t like the fireworks.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:35 am (#)
No worries Louise.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am (#)
You’re welcome Michele. I wish you a wonderful 4th of July celebration.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 am (#)
Hey Ron. That’s one way to calm a dog. I’m sure in the old days that’s what they did all the time. Have a wonderful 4th of July celebration.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 am (#)
Great idea Amy. I should have thought about the blanket over the crate. Thanks for sharing.
July 10th, 2010 at 8:26 pm (#)
My dog, who was not scared of fireworks last year, broke out of his crate this year while we were gone. There was blood all over the floor. Now he has an aversion to the crate and has broken out again. I don’t want him to chip teeth or hurt himself. What should I do?
July 12th, 2010 at 4:40 pm (#)
That’s horrible Aimee! I wouldn’t go away on the 4th of July and talk to your vet about getting something to relax him. I wouldn’t leave him alone. Stay and comfort him in a quiet room with the radio or TV blaring. I have a friend that had to give her dogs pills the day before and gradually give him more to relax him because he went crazy. You could try the essential oils, but it sounds like your dog would need something stronger. Good luck