With the 4th of July just around the corner, you may have already begun hearing the first few fireworks in and around your neighborhood. You might have even noticed your dog trembling, whining, pacing, or showing other signs of anxiety during the fireworks. But don’t worry—there are several things you can do to help and make them feel more safe and secure at home.
Create a safe place
Try setting up an area in a quiet space away from windows — such as a basement, room or a larger closet — so that they can’t hear or see fireworks. You can also use a crate if that’s where your dog feels safe. You can put on some white noise, such as a fan, TV, or radio, to help drown out the noise of the fireworks as well.
Help calm them naturally
As you may have heard, CBD has shown to help with stress and anxiety, which makes it a perfect natural alternative to help calm your dog.
Keep your dog occupied
One easy thing you can do is try to distract your dog and give them something to do. Give them their favorite toy, chew or maybe even a dog treat puzzle. Are you in need a long lasting chew? Check out antler chews - they are natural and long lasting.
Get an anxiety vest
Humans use the practice of swaddling to soothe infants. The same principle can work for your dog! A garment that applies gentle pressure can help relieve anxiety and encourage relaxation. You can purchase a garment designed for just this purpose, called a Thunder Shirt. If you can, have your dog get used to wearing it before the big day, so they aren't trying to deal with two unfamiliar things at once. Another option is to wrap stretchy fabric around your dog’s shoulders and chest. If you go this route, it’s important to make sure you haven’t wrapped your dog up too tightly. You don’t want to restrict their breathing or blood flow, and they should still be able to move around freely.
Keep them safe
Last but not least, we recommend keeping your dog inside and away from the fireworks. It's also important to make sure they have adequate ID, just incase they escape or get out of the house/yard.
Have more questions? Reach out to us!