New Year’s Eve In Augusta – Boom Proof Your Pup!
New Year’s Eve will be here soon and if you have dogs you know it can be a ruff night for them! You know your dog the best so you know what they can and can’t tolerate. Of course my biggest dog is also the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to loud noises. So I already know that I will be making special preparations for her long before the big boom night. Here are some tips to prepare your dog for loud noises this New Year’s Eve.
Big Booms
The most important thing to remember is that the loud noises are scary for all dogs. Even dogs that are normally more relaxed and well behaved can become frightened by the loud noises and react by running. Prepare ahead of time so your dog isn’t seriously injured or lost.
Safe Space
First of all, being inside during peak fireworks time is the best option. The walls of your home will dampen the noise to a certain degree so create a safe space for them inside in a confined space. If you have a crate for them they might be most comfortable there. But if not, a corner of a room with their bed, access to food and water and toys and maybe an article of your clothing might make them feel more relaxed. I’ve even known some friends who play soothing music or white noise for their dogs to kind of drown out the ruckus.
Plan Ahead
Try to take care of potty breaks earlier in the evening before it gets too loud. Even if your yard is fenced, keep your dog on a leash. A panicked dog may try to escape and could find a way out that you didn’t even know existed. Compression shirts can work wonders for some dogs. It can give them a feeling of being “swaddled” and give them a sense of security. If you don’t have one, an ace bandage can work in much the same way.
Depending on your dog’s temperament, covering their ears can be helpful. Earmuffs, quiet ears or calming caps are available. But this is where knowing your dog is best. You may find that some dogs are even more stressed out by the loss of ability to hear which would defeat the purpose entirely.
If your dog is regularly distressed by loud noises, talk with your vet about anti-anxiety preparation for times that you know there will be a particularly loud event. But be aware, most vets will not just hand out a prescription at the last minute. Instead, talk with your vet about the best course of action for your dog that works best for both of you.
I.D. Is Key
Most importantly, make sure your dogs identification is up to date! Even the best laid plans can go awry. So make sure if your dog does escape whoever finds them will have a way to track you down. Make sure they have a personalized collar with I.D. tags and that their microchip contact info is current.
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