7 Things to Do If Your Dog Freaks Out with City Sirens, Thunderstorms, or Fireworks by Giulio Ferrari

Darah was a little ball of fur that fit in the palm of my hand. A black and white Shih-tzu, she was the first gift I gave my then-girlfriend-now-wife, almost 25 years ago. As a puppy, I thought she wouldn’t live past a couple of years because of how badly she freaked out with fireworks. I lived in Brazil then, where the use of fireworks was indiscriminate. Be it a soccer game, holiday or even to celebrate a win of your favorite actor at the Oscars, everything was an excuse to fire loud bombs till yee hours of dusk. Poor little Dara would curl up in a ball, shiver and pee herself, whimpering and crying for hours. It was the late 90’s, when the rigorous German style of boot camp training was the norm. I tried sedation, cuddling her, putting her in the closet, but she still stressed like it was the end of the world. It took me a couple of years of research to find a canine behaviorist who knew how to fix the problem with kindness. Darah lived to be 19, and though she still didn’t love 4th of July, she lived a long, happy, healthy life. Over two decades later I’ve helped to “fix” hundreds of dogs from this all-too-common issue. Living in North Texas, fireworks are - thankfully - not the biggest problem. We do, however, have loud storms, hail, and those pesky sirens. Here are 7 things you can do to keep your dog - of ANY age - calmer:

1. Create a Safe Space

One of the most important things you can do is to create a safe and comfortable space for your dog. This space should be a quiet area in your home where your dog feels secure. Dogs like dens and caves, so you can use a crate with a blanket over it, a closet, or a quiet room. Fill this space with your dog's favorite toys, blankets, and possibly an item of your clothing for a comforting scent.

2. Desensitization and Counterconditioning

Desensitization involves exposing your dog to the noise at a very low volume and gradually increasing the volume over time. Counterconditioning pairs the noise with something positive, like treats or playtime, to change your dog's association with the sound. For example, you can play recordings of thunderstorms or fireworks at a low volume while giving your dog treats, gradually increasing the volume as your dog becomes more comfortable. Treat training is always my last resort, but with highly food motivated dogs, it can be a great ally.

3. Use of Calming Aids

There are various calming aids available that can help reduce your dog's anxiety. These include:

Thundershirts: These are snug-fitting shirts that provide gentle, constant pressure, which can have a calming effect on dogs.

Calming Supplements: Natural supplements containing ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, or CBD can help soothe your dog's nerves.

Pheromone Diffusers: These emit calming pheromones that can help reduce anxiety in dogs.

4. Play White Noise

Background noise, such as calming music or nature sounds, but especially white noise, can help drown out the sounds of sirens, thunderstorms, or fireworks. There are even music playlists specifically designed to calm dogs.

5. Keep Your Dog Occupied

Distractions can be very effective. Engaging your dog in a game of fetch, tug-of-war, or giving them a puzzle toy can divert their attention away from the stressful sounds. Keeping their mind occupied can lessen their anxiety.

6. Stay Calm and Provide Comfort

Dogs often look to their owners for cues on how to react. If you remain calm, it can help your dog feel more secure. Provide physical comfort by petting and soothing your dog, but be mindful not to reinforce anxious behavior. The key is to be a calm and steady presence.

7. Consult a Canine Behaviorist

If your dog's anxiety is severe, it may need behavior modification techniques tailored to its needs. It is essential to understand that this is not a problem that will be fixed by a green-behind-the-years, big box trainer. Training and behavior are two completely different things. A behaviorist is a “doggie psychologist” who will spend more time training YOU than the dog. It’s worth mentioning that walks help a lot, but those must be done the right way, with the dog following not pulling or leading. Call today to schedule your appointment! Giulio Ferrari Certified Pet Nutritionist Canine Behaviorist (972)208-4411 

www.LuckyDogGroomingTX.com