It’s the most anxious time of the year; December. This certainly applies to many dogs and their owners. “There are dogs that hardly react to fireworks, but others do not dare go outside for months,” says veterinarian Renate Wellens of the Zevenbergen veterinary clinic.
“Dogs smell, see and hear better, so everything hits home harder,” the vet begins her story. “But it’s not just the loud noise, the sudden, unpredictable thing can also cause a huge shock reaction.”
Pathetic and difficult
Renate regularly sees dog owners in her practice who are at their wits’ end. “It’s not only sad if your pet completely panics at every bang. It’s also difficult. The dog needs to be walked. Sometimes the dog doesn’t want to eat anymore, which is quite problematic.”
Because prevention is better than cure, the vet recommends immediately training your puppy for loud bangs and noises. The fear can also develop later when the dog is older. “Then there are soothing supplements that calm down. It is best to start with these weeks in advance.”
Not all dogs are afraid
Yet it is not self-evident that a dog is afraid. “It is partly genetic, but the fear can also have developed if a dog has ever been startled by a very loud bang,” Wellens explains. “If such a supplement does not work, stronger medications can provide a solution.”
She says that dogs used to be given medication, which made them a bit sleepy. Yet the dogs still heard bangs and flashes of light. “It was then more difficult for the dogs to express themselves.” That’s different now. “We are now working with anti-anxiety medication. This keeps them active. They will still bark occasionally, but the real fear stimulus is a lot less.”
Don’t comfort
If your dog is really scared, you should try to give it as little attention as possible. “You can talk to the dog in a calm way and tell them that everything will be fine, but you should not comfort them. Then you can fuel the fear even more.” According to the vet, it is also important to be clear with your four-legged friend. “They need guidance. A dog looks at the reaction of his or her owner.”
If you want to make your dog feel more comfortable without medication, Wellens also has tips for this. “Put on music for the dog. This way the bangs will be slightly less. You can also close your curtains so that he no longer sees the flashes.” Visits over the floor can also be good. “This creates a distraction.”
Stay calm
Finally, it is important that you as an owner remain calm and do not comfort the dog. If the tips do not work, Wellens advises you to visit the vet. “Then we can always provide support to reduce the stress level.”