Image Credits: Pixabay
Now that we are nearing the end of the year
and New Yearโs Eve is right around the corner, it means that dog owners
everywhere need to be ready to comfort their anxious pooches. With people
ringing in the new year with fireworks, it is likely that your dog will get
anxious or frightened, so what can you do to comfort them?
The loud sounds, the smell and the flashes
of light can be very frightening for most dogs, so on New Yearโs Eve, try these
steps below to help your dog during fireworks.
- Create a safe and
comfortable space for your dog
When the loud
noises and the bright flashes of lights go off at night, your dog will likely
want to retreat to a space where he feels safe and comfortable. So, create a
safe haven for your pet in a corner or area of your house where the sounds of
the fireworks are least audible. You can buy a crate and cover it with soft
blankets and pillows so your dog can hide in there and feel a little safer.
Crates are great
because dogs tend to seek out dens when they want to feel safe, and this
comfortable crate bed is the perfect get-away space for them.
- Have their favorite toys and
treats ready
Make sure to have
your dogโs favorite toys and treats ready. At such distressing times, when they
get nervous and anxious, having something familiar close to them can be
incredibly comforting and relaxing. So, if your dog has a favorite blanket, a
toy that he always likes to play with or a treat that he can happily eat
anytime, make sure that you have them ready.
You can even keep
these in the crate bed that you have created for them, so that your furry
friend can have a truly safe and cozy space where they are surrounded by their
favorite things.
- Use white noise to distract
your dog
In order to tune
out the loud fireworks sounds, have white noise running in the background in
order to distract your dog. You can turn the TV on, play some calming music, or
even leave the fan on, so that these sounds can mask the sounds of the
fireworks. Classical music has been shown to be very calming for anxious dogs,
so make sure to put some Bach on.
Make sure to take your dog for a walk or to the park to play during the day, before all the fireworks start. This will tire him out, making it easier for him to feel relaxed. Besides, your dog is more likely to fall asleep easily if he has gotten plenty of exercise during the day.