I had a different post planned for today, but over the weekend I discovered how to help my dog stop barking at fireworks.
*cheers & cries of joy*
So, I wanted to share my new found discovery with all the dog parents out there, who are struggling with this issue.
July 3rd:
My neighbors started setting off really loud fireworks at 10pm which woke up my dog & she started barking. I was like "Oh no, here comes a sleepless night" at first I just holding her, going "shhh it's ok" but NOPE that didn't help. They set off one that shoots out alot of colors & my dog sat up. That's when I started massaging her shoulders & head. I kept on doing this for each firework. Massaging her from head to toe. She would still growl, but I would keep massaging her until the firework stopped or she stopped growling. By then she was associating that loud boom means she would get a massage, so she didn't growl. Right now it's 11:40pm she is fast asleep.
July 4th
OK so the firework started around 6pm. My dog was barking non stop so I was like "it's go time." Started giving my dog a massage; but after hours of doing so my fingers were getting cramped up so I had to find another solution & I had to find it quick. So, I told my dog if she wanted a treat to follow me. She did & I gave my dog some treats. I hid some so she would focus more on finding the treat instead of the fireworks.
At 10pm the fireworks were still going on so since my fingers were well rested now I continued massaging my dog. She fell asleep until a really loud firework (sounded like a grenade) woke her up. She started barking so I had to get her onto where I was by giving her a treat. Now it's 11:00pm fireworks, are still going on, but she's fast asleep.
July 5:
Today they didn't set off as many fireworks near my house. Thank goodness.
July 6:
People were lit a couple fireworks today but by dog was too busy playing with her toys to even pay attention.
July 7 & 8
No fireworks today.
In conclusion:
After conducting this "experiment" for 4 days. I came to the conclusion that massages & treats worked really well in helping my dog not bark at the fireworks.
Also, be careful if your dog tends to go "crazy" with the fireworks. If you try to pick it up then, it will probably bite you.
Do you have a dog & is it scared of fireworks? Also, if you have any other techniques that help your dog not bark at fireworks; I would love to hear about them in the comments below. Let's help each other out :)
*Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming that this will work for all dogs. I'm just basing my observation on my dog. Hope these tips work for you.
(In case you haven't noticed my blog got a makeover over the weekend, looks good right, My social medias are now listed right under my picture. You see my picture? Right where it says "welcome" It's right there on the right hand side. Do you see it? Now you see the circles under my picture? Those are my social medias. Click on those & let's me friends.)
I've heard you can wrap a small blanket around a dog, like you swaddle a baby, and that helps as well. I don't have a dog but I've seen a few posts about it.
ReplyDeleteYeah I heard that too, but I didn't do that cause it was too hot
DeleteNow, if they only made earplugs for doggos! x
ReplyDeleteYeah like ones where they cant hear anything would be nice. Cause some earmuffs that supposedly help with fireworks people are saying that the dog was still barking cause it could still hear them
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