![]() ![]() Desensitize them to firework sounds well in advance. ![]() There are several great techniques to reduce your dog’s firework anxiety, according to our experts. How Can You Help Alleviate Your Dog’s Fear of Fireworks? Dogs who’ve had a traumatic experience around unexpected noisesĭogs who exhibit the following severe fear responses when they hear fireworks may have anxiety, noise phobias or other behavioral issues:Īfter ruling out any underlying health issues with your vet, these issues can be addressed with a veterinary behaviorist.Young puppies who are not well socialized or who’ve yet to be socialized.The following dogs may be more sensitive to loud noises and vibrations, according to Dr. ![]() However, some dogs might need a little extra TLC when it comes to managing their reaction around fireworks. Is It Normal for a Dog to Be Scared of Fireworks?Īs mentioned above, it’s normal for even behaviorally healthy dogs to have a fear of fireworks. Translation? Firework-like sounds in the wild could spell danger (think: a thunderstorm, earthquake or tree falling down), so even if your dog has been an indoor pet their entire life, they may still associate these booms or loud noises with scary and potentially life-threatening events. Even if your pup is tucked in their safe space (like a crate or plush bed) far away from fireworks, “perception is as good as reality when their flight or flight system kicks in,” according to Short. The word “safety” can be somewhat subjective here. ![]() “Many behaviorally healthy dogs find unpleasant, and it comes from a lack of security, meaning the dog doesn’t feel safe,” says Jolene Short, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT, FFCP, a dog trainer at Homeward Bound Animal Behavior & Training in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. If your dog gets anxious when they hear the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms or other loud noises, you can blame their natural flight or fight response. Tate adds that many dogs have a fear of fireworks because they “do not know where the noises are coming from or when they will end.” It’s part of their DNA. Fun fact: Humans can only hear between 64-23,000 Hz, whereas dogs can hear a range of 67-45,000 Hz.ĭr. Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner and managing partner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Dogs’ ears are sensitive.ĭogs have much more acute and sensitive hearing than humans do, so the sound of fireworks (or loud noises of any kind) can be really unnerving to them, says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian at Animal Medical Associates in Saco, Maine. “As humans, we understand and expect the annual tradition of fireworks, particularly around the 4th of July, but this concept is foreign to our dogs, and many are genuinely frightened if they are suddenly exposed to the loud sounds and scary sights associated with fireworks,” says Dr. It’s likely that your dog feels startled or nervous around new sounds-just like you would if you heard a loud alarm go off in your house without any warning. Why Are Dogs Afraid of Fireworks? They’re unexpected and loud. The good news? There’s plenty you can do to help keep your dogs calm, including some expert-approved techniques that will help your dogs cope better come Fourth of July or New Years Eve. A: The loud booms of fireworks can be really scary for our four-legged friends. ![]()
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