Fireworks, thunderstorms, gunfire. What do they have in common? They can be incredibly terrifying for your pets!
My Miko was terrified of thunderstorms. And fireworks. And firecrackers. And any other sharp, sudden noise. He would tremble and try to climb into any lap that was available. Nobody around to sit on? He would belly-crawl all ninety pounds of shepherd-husky mix under my bed and hide.
If your pet is afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms, you can try a few different things to help ease his anxiety.
Some trainers suggest simply ignoring the behavior. If cuddle your frightened pet or try to calm him with treats, you are only showing him that acting a certain way (frightened) gets him a reward (attention). I don’t know about you, but I find it very hard to ignore it when one of my fur-babies is scared or upset. This method doesn’t quite work for me.
You can try to desensitize your pet to the hated sound. It isn’t hard to find recordings of fireworks or thunder or whatever it is that scares him. Play them softly; as he gets used to the sound, he may experience less fear when the real thing is around.
Another option is to block out the sound and sight of the fireworks or thunder storm. Bring your pet into a room with the curtains drawn. Turn on the television, radio, or stereo. Some experts suggest classical music but I think any “white noise” will do. Don’t make it too loud — you don’t need to drown out the storm, just muffle it.
You may also want to offer a special toy or long-lasting treat to help distract your pet for the duration of the storm or fireworks display. What worked best for Miko was a combination of white noise and distraction. It didn’t stop him from crawling underneath the bed to hide, but he seemed calmer and wasn’t trembling as he did it. You may not be able to erase the fear, but you can help make your pet more comfortable under stress!
Tons more training tips at Families.com!