Is Your Dog Afraid of Firecrackers?

This is a big problem for dog owners and I will give you several tips on what you should do. If you know that your dog is very sensitive for firecrackers, the best thing to do is to go to some place where the celebration is not so apparent. This is very important.

Start training your dog several weeks before the celebration! You can buy CDs with recorded thunder, firecrackers etc. At first, play the CD at a low sound level. Then gradually raise the sound level. If the dog show signs of anxiety, you must stop and lower the sound level.

Another advice is to carefully accustom the dog to have cotton in the ears. Encourage and reward the dog, so that the dog gets used to the cotton and won´t feel uncomfortable.

Another important thing is to never feel sorry or pity the dog when the dog is scared or show signs of anxiety. If you do that you will only reinforce the dogs feeling of anxiety.
Just ignore signs of fear, the dogs fear will diminish if you do so.

When the noise starts, just act normal. Keep the dog busy with a ball or a rag. Have some really tasty dog food ready and reward the dog frequently. Caress your dog to make it feel loved. Talk to the dog with a smooth voice.

If you´re having a party, invite just a few people that the dog is familiar with. Try to keep the partying at a low sound level. And most important; stay sober. Alcohol is not good for the relation between dogs and humans.

If nothing else works you should go to the vet and get a prescription for tranquillizer.
Remember that the tranquillizer never can replace the training that is needed for a long lasting result.

Good luck with the training!