With New Year’s Eve festivities, fireworks “season” approaches, a moment awaited by many, but which can be extremely uncomfortable for dogs. While people enjoy the shows of light and color, dogs, as a rule, become agitated and frightened by loud noises.
What to do before the fireworks?
According to João Reis, veterinarian at , there are measures that can be taken to minimize the impact on animals: “Above all, on these days (thunderstorms or fireworks) a good walk in the afternoon with lots of physical exercise should be taken. Then allow access to the house and do not leave them on the street. Isolate sound as much as possible by closing the blinds and keeping neutral sound at home, such as music or TV.”
João Reis also suggests that dogs be entertained during the loudest moments: “You should offer an interactive toy — one that can be stuffed — so they can stay entertained during exposure to the stimulus. For those who are starting to get more stressed, owners can try to calm them down with parties.”
A simple technique to help
Portal do Animal shares a technique developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, which can be useful for reducing tension in dogs. It consists of tying the dog with a soft, firm cloth band, wrapping around the chest and back, and finishing with a knot in the spine region.
How does it work?
The gentle pressure exerted by the band stimulates blood circulation and conveys a feeling of security to the animal, helping it to feel less agitated. However, the effect may vary depending on the dog’s level of phobia.
This technique is one of the options to help dogs cope with the intense noise of celebrations.
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