What is a fun night of dancing for many people is unfortunately a sensitive issue for a lot of dog owners: New Year's Eve fireworks frighten our noise-sensitive four-legged friends and can lead to major problems.
Every year, many dog owners urgently search for the ultimate tip on how to help their dog get through New Year's Eve without fear or even relaxed. And let's be honest: the fireworks actually start during the day or even days before. This means that the stress of the animal builds up systematically and continues for many hours.
Unfortunately, there is no ultimate secret tip that works for all four-legged friends – otherwise the problem would no longer be a problem. Every animal is different and you really have to try out what works best for your pet. Here are a few options that may help:
The noise CD: It is best to play the sounds of New Year's Eve at a tolerable volume to your dog repeatedly for several weeks in advance so that they can gradually get used to them. New Year's Eve simply becomes normal, so to speak.
Thundershirt: This is a kind of "body suit" that fits snugly around the body and, in the best case scenario, gives the animal a feeling of protection. The shirt is said to have a calming effect, especially on fearful dogs.
Reiki, Tellington Touch, and similar techniques: In principle, it is the touch that is intended to convey calm and security to the animal; each method and technique has its own philosophy.
Pheromones: There are preparations that are specially produced for dogs and release the "smell" of the mother animal into the room via a nebulizer. The messenger substance in the dog's body is supposed to promote relaxation.
Sedation or immobilization: Sedation is a drastic measure and should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian beforehand. Most sedatives have the side effect of making the animal much more sensitive to noise and simply "paralyzing" the animal's body system. Your veterinarian will certainly advise you in detail on this subject.
The right remedy alone will not be enough. There are a few golden rules you should take to heart to give you and your dog the chance of a safe transition into the new year:
Don't walk your dog without a leash. Fireworks are already going off during the day, and something could be "lurking" around the next corner. Be sure to keep your dog on a leash so that it doesn't run away from you if it gets scared. This could even lead to secondary accidents!
Go out in the morning: Try to find quiet times for your daily walk. The later the evening, the greater the chance of encountering people setting off fireworks. It is therefore better to take your dog for a long walk in the morning on this day.
Close windows and blinds: Try to keep as much noise and flashes out of your home as possible. Your dog will prefer to feel protected right now – do everything you can to support them.
Provide a safe place: Some dogs want to retreat completely to a dark corner or crate. Protection is the top priority on this day.
Be present and generous: Your dog needs you as a protector today more than ever. Show him that you are there and give him a treat every now and then – this will make him feel good. Some small dogs will love being close to you, perhaps in a blanket or on your lap.
Getting through this night as calmly as possible together is probably the key to keeping your dog's heart reasonably calm. Your pet certainly won't want to be left alone on this day.
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