I personally don’t like fireworks, and I am too stingy to let my hard earned money go up in smoke and noise to pollute our endangered environment.
Fireworks may be fun for some humans, but for pets, farm animals and wildlife it can be frightening and even dangerous.
Not only animals are afraid of fireworks, but also autistic kids. They don’t understand why they are being tortured, scream, and stampede. Their families have my deepest sympathies.
In Switzerland August 1st and December 31st are the days of the year when companion animals fled in fright are found kilometers away from their homes, disoriented and exhausted. Anxious families often find themselves searching the streets looking for a treasured family member whose fear drove him to jump a high fence or break her leash or chain.
If your pet is upset by thunder, a door slamming or other loud noises, fireworks will be utterly terrifying, so take these precautions:
- Walk the dog before darkness
- Walk the dog only on leash
- Walk the dog in the woods
- Close windows and shutters
- Celebrate at home, don’t leave your pooch home alone
- Be sure that all ID tags are properly affixed to your pet’s collar and that they have your current contact information, including cell number(s).
When you know that your dog will be
- Hiding somewhere
- Jumping on your lap
- Excessively panting
- Excessively shivering
- Sweating underneath the paws
- Peeing and/or having diarrhoea inside
- Constantly barking
you need to act immediately. For Swiss National Day you may leave for surrounding countries e.g. Germany, France, Austria or Italy.
But for New Year’s Eve you may try these:
- thunder shirts or anxiety wraps
- “Bach” Flower remedies: No. 2 Aspen, No. 12 Gentian, No. 18 Impatiens, No. 20 Mimulus
- “Schüssler” minerals: No. 5 Kalium phosphoricum, No. 7 Magnesium phosphoricum, No. 11 Silicea
- “Adaptil”, a synthetic copy of the pheromone Phenynalalin, released by dams from her mammary area after her puppies’ birth.
Hilsbos Dog Training in English 