How to calm a dog afraid of fireworks

Desensitizing is the process of helping the dog to cope with fireworks by taking the time prior to the Fourth of July to go through a process of reducing sensitivity to loud sounds. Preparing the dog before the sounds occur will help to minimize distress. The longer the desensitization period, the better the results.

There are CDs available with loud sounds, to include fireworks CDs. Time, patience and action are required to get the best results. Starting the CD at the lowest decibel and slowly increasing the sound over time is the process. Watching for distress signals is important because as the sound is playing the dog should be relaxed, giving calming signals and not showing distress. If distress appears, respiration increases, white of eye is visible, then the sound has been increased too quickly.

During this process pairing something good with the sound makes the sound less intrusive. The dog actually learns to welcome the sound as a neutral stimulus that has become a conditioned stimulus, meaning something good is about to happen.

Fear is a powerful emotion and a dog's hearing is four times that of a human. Imagine the fireworks being four times louder than what normally is heard and it can equate to triggering a fear response as if someone has jumped out of a corner to scare or the heart palpitations that occur when a near accident happens. The adrenalin starts to rush, the instinct to escape becomes intense and the fear is the only emotion able to focus on. Some dogs may have such an intense fear that it will never completely go away, but a lot can be done to keep the dog comfortable and learning the sound will not hurt them.

Instead of coddling the dog, or cuddling them, pair food with the sound at a decreased level. Each time the sound is heard a favorite treat or toy appears. Accelerate the sound incrementally and over time and each time reward the dog for not reacting to the sound. This is very similar to Pavlov's dogs hearing a bell and salivating because they knew something good was coming. Redirecting the dog's mind away from the fear caused by the sound enables them to focus on learning. As they learn, they earn and soon the sound doesn't seem so scary anymore.  Again, some dogs may be so frightened by fireworks they may never fully get over the fear. In this case, keeping the dog safe, comfortable and providing calming tools is key to getting through the Fourth of July.

A technique of touch called Tellington Touch is ideal for calming dogs during Fourth of July fireworks. It is a circular touch moving the skin to activate cells under the skin sending signals to the brain to influence behavior. A Ttouch tool is a body wrap accomplished by applying ace bandages at key points to include a head wrap, a half wrap and a full body wrap.

Another tool quickly becoming popular is the Thundershirt. It is similar to applying a body wrap but covers a bigger area and is made of a stretchy material giving the dog a tight, big hug and therefore, comforting the dog.  

Other calming tools are music made for dogs such as Through a Dog's Ear, audio biotechnology specifically for dogs using sounds calming to the savage beast.

Preparing the dog the day of the fireworks starts with a long, exhausting walk or run to tire dog out and help them relax.

Make sure the dog's safe place is equipped with chew toys, a filled kong and covered with a blanket to further help the dog to settle.

Turn on the music, or the television or rotate between the two.

Put rescue remedy for dogs on the dog, on their bedding, on yourself, and on areas within the house the dog might travel to, such as a comfortable chair or blanket.  

Another tool is a calming Dap Diffuser, which works either by application or a wall plug-in and emits pheromones found in the mother dog to soothe and calm dogs.

There are natural medications such as Pro Quiet, which contain tryptophan found also in turkey, on the market and various herbal remedies, which may also work to help calm the dog.

Here is an article from Clicker Training by Karen Pryor on using a tool called a clicker to mark the calm and reinforce calm with food.

Consult with your veterinarian, if you have a very bad case of dog firework sensitivities and decide together if medicating the dog would be best.

Remember, not to coddle or cuddle the dog and rather help them get through the sound by applying all of the above suggestions and using the proper tools and desensitization techniques to assure the dog has a pleasant experience working through a scary sound.