How to reduce your dog’s fireworks anxiety

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Fireworks can be an exciting part of celebrating Independence Day but the sounds can be especially difficult for pets.

The excitement of Fourth of July fireworks celebrations is not something appreciated by Mabel, a 4-year-old rescue dog.

“The moment she hears the first loud boom. She will kind of freeze, look around, start shaking, and then go find the nearest place to hide,” said her owner Roxanne Grady, who is also a trainer at A Pleasant Dog in Grand Rapids.

Grady says it can be stressful for her in addition to the dog trying to figure out when she needs to give the dog her medication.

“Then if I go anywhere and hear them I’m worried about how she is at home,” Grady said.

Mabel is far from alone when it comes to having trouble with fireworks, according to A Pleasant Dog owner and head trainer Jenn Gavin.

“I think the most important thing is to not hesitate to comfort your dog. You can’t reinforce or make fears worse by comforting an animal who is stressed or anxious,” Gavin said. “One of the things that is very helpful for many dogs is to use brown noise of white noise a good old fashion box fan or bathroom fan is a good example to help compete with the outside noise.”

Keeping the dog inside and away from the fireworks along with weighted blankets can also be helpful. Trainers suggest moving up the last bathroom break before dark.

“You can have lots of food toys and treats that you can use to help make your little safe haven at home a good experience for them during the fireworks,” Gavin said.

Veterinarian Jill Sackman who specializes in animal behavior says thinking your dog will get used to the fireworks by keeping them outside can actually make things worse.

“Many of them have a genetic sensitivity to loud noise exposure and kind of fear and anxiety they have and if they are repeatedly exposed it can just lead to just repeated high levels of anxiety, stress, and fear,” Sackman said.

If a dog has beyond mild anxiety to fireworks, veterinarians have medications they can prescribe.

“A gel that can be applied to a pet’s gumline and it works pretty quickly. It works within about 20 minutes of time and it creates a reduction in anxiety and just a very mild sedation. There are also tablet forms of medication,” Sackman said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.