What To Do If The Dog Is Afraid Of Firecrackers

During the New Year or the carnival period,  fireworks and firecrackers are used very often. Although they are very fun parties, especially for children,  dogs that are afraid of them are very sick. Here are some tips on how to fix this problem.

Fear and its mechanisms

The fear of firecrackers can be overcome, but you need time and a competent trainer. A few days before the holidays, you can take some precautions that will be aimed, in particular,  at ensuring the safety of your dog and minimizing the effects that the bangs have on him. 

When an animal is afraid, it performs these 3 actions: flee, fight or surrender. In the case of dogs, their first instinct will always be to flee, although on other occasions they may try to react, although the sound of firecrackers does not represent a physical enemy. Almost always, however, the animal wants to return to his home.

Prepare your home

You already know that your dog may panic from firecrackers. First of all,  ensure the safety of your furry friend, and the house you live in is the first place he needs to feel safe.

You have to block his access to the balcony and close the windows. Every year we read news of dogs that throw themselves out of the window out of fear, injuring themselves or dying from the fall.

In houses with gardens, check the condition of the fences. If there are holes, the dog may escape. Also,  if the fence is low it may even jump, so consider not letting it out in the garden these days.

The dog does not even have to have objects that it could bite. To relieve stress, dogs chew things, and if that happens, they don’t have to be toxic or dangerous to him.

A safe area for dogs who are afraid of firecrackers

You can create a safe place for the dog to help him overcome the fear of these days. It must be a place inside the house where nothing bad can happen to the animal. This room must have the following characteristics:

• The dog must be able to enter it 24 hours a day. For example, if he hides inside the tub, the bathroom door must remain open, and if he takes refuge there, you don’t have to force him out.
• If the room is not chosen by the dog, do it yourself. Many dogs already have favorite places , however, if when they are afraid they wander lost around the house, guide them to a place that you have already established.

• It must be isolated from the outside. It must not have the windows open and, if possible, the shutters or the shutters of the room must be lowered. 
• If the dog chooses to take refuge in a place, you must provide him with water (breathlessness is a sign of fear) and your comfort. Don’t force him out of the room.

Change your walking routine

Reduce the number of walks or their duration if necessary. There are times of the day when barrels or firecrackers are less popped.

It is better to take short and quiet walks rather than long and fearful ones. For a few days, take them for a walk fewer times a day. Dogs who are afraid of firecrackers will appreciate not being exposed to street noise. 

Precautions to be taken

If you have a dog that is afraid of firecrackers, take precautions before taking him for walks: harnesses are safer than collars, and training harnesses increase the fear of the dog even more.

If your dog pulls the leash due to a noise, you  do not risk that the harness buckle will be removed or detached. The dog may flee without knowing how to get home, and if you live in an area where many cars pass, the animal’s life will be in danger.

A new harness or collar is inexpensive and could make a difference. It is always worth renewing your dog’s personal items, especially during these times.

Extreme cases

There are some extreme cases of dogs becoming paralyzed or so sick that they vomit , stop  eating and go about their business around the house. 

These extreme cases need to be investigated by a veterinarian. Faced with such a situation, anxiolytics – not sedatives – may be needed to help them overcome these periods. They won’t make him forget his fears, but they will allow him to survive these holidays.

Once these days have passed,  the dog should be seen by a dog trainer to help him overcome his fears. Such intense fear compromises the animal’s well-being, so you have to take it into consideration.