8 Survival Tips for Dogs Afraid of Fireworks

As July approaches, it’s time to start planning for fireworks season. Unfortunately, these loud and scary sounds will usually erupt before 4^th of July and can randomly last until after Memorial Day. Then, of course, fireworks return for New Year’s. If you have a dog afraid of fireworks, then follow these tips to ensure he’s comfortable and safe!

1. Choose a Safe Room

If your dog is scared of fireworks, plan to stay home during loud firework displays. However, if your neighbor randomly decides to pop fireworks in front of your home, or you plan to attend firework festivities, you’ll need to rethink a few things.

If you’re staying at home during firework displays

Keep your dog in a safe room that has limited views of the fireworks outside. Join your dog and have a camp out in a back room, and watch Netflix movies.

If you’re leaving your dog home alone

Choose a secure room with a door that can be closed. Bathrooms are usually a bit too small, so choose a back room with a bed and couch and preferably with a TV to drown out sounds.

Start practicing this now, and reward your dog for relaxing in this room while you’re away. Feed food stuffed toys only when your dog is alone in this room, so he learns that good things happen in his safe room.

Every day, feed your dog’s meals (stuffed in a puzzle toy) in the room until your dog is comfortable relaxing in there for a couple of hours. Your dog should eventually learn to enjoy walking into his safe room because he knows good things will happen.

2. Drown Out Sounds

Dogs will usually react to loud popping sounds of fireworks, so it’s important to drown out these sounds. Calming music is nice, but it’s just not loud enough. Instead, use a noise machine to block out the sounds of fireworks.

For maximum sound blockage, pair a box fan with the sound machine. Put the sound machine on low-medium volume and turn the box fan all the way up. Bring your dog into his safe room and condition your dog to these sounds.

3. Block Out Flashes of Light

Sudden flashes of firework lights can freak some dogs out, so close blinds and drapes. If a window does not have drapes, cover it with a thick blanket to block out any firework flashes. Again, introduce your dog to this new item while conditioning your dog to his safe room.

4. Use Anxiety Medication

Sometimes, dog anxiety medication is needed. If you have a dog afraid of fireworks, your dog is most likely having a panic attack. Many dogs get so stressed around fireworks they will have seizures—it’s that serious. If your dog panics, then ask your veterinarian for a sedative for your dog. Remember, steer clear of acepromazine, as this sedative can make the problem worse.

5. Use Thundershirts & Pressure Wraps

Thundershirts and pressure wraps both work well, but pressure wraps alone won’t work. You need to take a multi-prong approach when keeping your anxious dog comfortable during fireworks. To be effective, pressure wraps should fit snugly on your dog, but not too tight. Practice wrapping your dog before fireworks season starts.

Only use a Thundershirt if you’re leaving your dog home alone; that way your dog can break away if the Thundershirt gets caught onto something.

6. Consider Pheromones

Yes, calming pheromones do work, but it’s not a cure-all. Again, it’s important to take a combination approach. Spray your dog’s bedding with Adaptil or plug in a diffuser about a week before fireworks begin. Calming pheromones will calm your dog because it mimics the pheromones of a nursing mother dog.

7. Bring Your Dog Potty on Leash

Before it gets dark, bring your dog outside and potty on leash. Even if you have a securely fenced-in yard, fireworks can freak out a dog, which can cause him to bolt out of the backyard.

Believe me, scared dogs can scale a 6-foot fence and scurry under holes, so walk your dog with a 3- to 6-foot leash (no retractable leashes). Still don’t think your dog can escape your backyard during fireworks season? Animal shelters are flooded with dogs on July 5^th—it’s their busiest time of the year. Be safe and leash your dog.

8. Update ID and Microchip

Make sure your dog is wearing ID tags during potty breaks. If you’re leaving your dog home alone, always remove his collar or attach a break-away collar with ID tags. Please, if your dog is not already microchipped, do so before fireworks season starts. Then, register the microchip, so your dog can easily be found if something scary should happen.

By combining each tip, you and your dog can enjoy a stress-free fireworks season ahead.