Anything that goes "boom" can leave me shaking. I am not a dog who prefers to be cuddled, but when things explode in the night I tend to want to be near my Humans. The cats are not as sensitive to this type of noise and I can tell they are laughing at me when I jump into my Moms lap. The experts call this a noise phobia and apparently many animals suffer from this (even cats).
In addition to having an excellent sense of smell, us dogs having sensitive hearing as well. In case you have not noticed, fireworks are loud! Sometimes I tremble a bit and cry, but other dogs might even pant or have accidents (such as peeing on the bed or carpet). Others may dig, chew, or hide.
There are certain things that you can do to help your dog feel better. What works for me is just being close to my Humans and getting reassurance. How do I get reassured that it will be okay? My Humans talk to me and pet me gently; they let me know that it will pass. Some people say that this reinforces the behavior, but it has worked for me. Overtime my fear of fireworks and storms has decreased because my Humans have been so attentive.
Sometimes if I can see what is making the noise I will feel better too. For example if I hear a firework I might cower, but if I see it and hear it I may become braver and bark at it. Dad also tells me it's okay to hide behind him if I need to. I would not recommend taking your dog to see fireworks if you know they are afraid though. A lot of times they still will not understand what is going on and they will freak out! This will be bad for you and for them, trust me.
What might help my other canine companions? Well my cousin Wrigley likes calming sounds and scents. His Humans will play relaxing music and give him minty treats. Distracting your dog with his favorite toys and treats might work well. However, if things are really bad you may need to consult a behavioral specialist or talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications for dogs.
It is important to help your dog learn to cope and adjust to their noise phobia. Please don't punish us when we are scared (that just makes it worse). Be patient with us and soothe us. If you have to leave your dog alone be sure he is in a place in your house where he feels safe (such as their kennel).
Happy 4th of July everyone!
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