For some dogs, there can be a whole lot of shaking and drooling going on during the holiday celebrations. Every dog is an individual, so each dog’s reaction can be different.
From staying close to you, to pacing, whining, drooling, shaking, destruction, jumping at windows, hiding in a bathtub or closet and even biting – all these can happen when dogs are fearful – and fireworks and thunderstorms can be triggers.
You can help your pets deal with their anxieties and fears in natural ways and positive changes can occur.
Environment
Close all windows, doors and drapes.
Turn on the TV or music. As loud as you can without terrifying the dog.
If your dog doesn’t like the TV or music loud, try soothing CDs – new age or classical.
If you have a basement, bring your dog down there, but stay with him or her.
Some dogs find a bathroom or closet feels safest – let them go there if they want, but do NOT close doors. If they choose a spot, let them stay there, and put their toys, blankets, bed – whatever is familiar and comfortable to them, near them.
Your Behavior
Don’t coddle and reinforce the ‘fearful’ behavior. Certainly pet and reassure, but don’t go overboard. If your dog has found a spot, grab your computer or a book, and sit with him or her. You can talk to them in a reassuring, yet secure voice without reinforcing the ‘anxious’ behaviors.
Massage. If you know Tellington Touch, try that.
Distract. Sing, dance, throw toys, give treats. Try to take his or her mind off of what is causing the anxiety – in this case fireworks. If you can change the behavior (i.e. fireworks means I shake, to fireworks means I get attention and treats so they must not be so bad), then that can help modify the reaction.
Natural Help
There are many potential herbal, flower and homeopathic remedies which can help with anxieties in people and hounds. You may need to try different ones to see which work well for your dog and situation. If one doesn’t work, try another. They are not expensive, and they will not harm. I’ve found Azmira’s Fear Tincture to help in a variety of ‘noise’ anxieties, which is why Greyhound Gang now carries it.
Azmira’s Fear tincture releases old fears and eliminates the likelihood of fear based reactions to thunder, noise, fireworks, people, situations like vet visits and more. Animals helped by this fast acting flower essence can also be shy, lack self confidence and are easily discouraged.
As we head into one of the noisiest weekends of the year, and thunderstorm season, here’s my personal testimonial. You can read testimonials from others on the web site. My dog, Clyde, was fine with fireworks until age seven. He now trembles and gets skittish when he hears them. I gave him the Fear Tincture, (started a few days before the 4th when I sensed the beginning of his anxiety, and during) and he was able to be on the bed without shaking and being wigged out.
This remedy acts to ‘filter’ the emotions and make the situation tolerable for pets and their people. The active ingredients in this formula are Aspen, Gentian, Larch, Mimulus, and Rock Rose.
Other Natural Help
If you choose an herbal therapy to try, valerian, skull cap, chamomile, passion flower are a few of the herbs which can be helpful. Usually these need to be administered a few weeks in advance for them to get into a dog’s system and do some good. Melatonin can help sometimes. 3 mg nightly.
Homeopathic – Phosphorus.
ThunderShirts or Storm Shirts or a tightly (but not too tight) wrapped t-shirt might also help, and wouldn’t hurt.
Lavender Essential Oil – only therapeutic blends (not synthetic) can be applied directly to ears or other areas with less fur. Lavender is one of the essential oils for calming and serenity. I use it nightly to help me sleep. Greyhound Gang has misters in Lavender and Peaceful.
What NOT to do
Never punish a dog for being fearful.
Never force a dog to view the fireworks and get over it.
There are no quick fixes, but with your time and effort and the right natural supplement you can modify a fearful behavior into something more tolerable for your dogs and you.