Relaxed New Year's Eve with Your Dog - 5 Tips Against Fear
Every year again, New Year's Eve night is illuminated by fireworks - and it makes a loud noise every time. Loud, sharp rocket sounds spread across the sky and give our beloved dogs a good scare. The heart races up to the throat, trembling, heavy panting, hiding and other →stress symptoms are the consequences of the New Year's chaos.
To ensure that you and your dog can start the new year as relaxed as possible, we have compiled 5 important tips for you:
No. 1: Stay Home Together!
For your four-legged friend, there is nothing better than spending time with you. On New Year's Eve, it is especially important that a caregiver is present, so your pet doesn't feel alone. Leaving the apartment without your furry friend? A no-go!
Of course, this doesn't mean you can't have a nice evening on New Year's Eve. Friends and family can still come to visit. Just make sure that it doesn't get too loud and stressful for your dog inside the house in addition to the noise from outside.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Niemand kann deinem Hund so viel Sicherheit spenden, wie du als Bezugsperson. Viel körperliche Nähe, Streicheleinheiten und entspanntes Zusammensein sind an Silvester wichtig.
No. 2: Take the Last Walk in Time!
You can distribute walks with your dog normally throughout the day, but it is advisable to take the last walk no later than early evening and also to →tire him out properly before the noise. Note that some dogs may not want to set paw outside due to the noise starting from noon.
On New Year's Eve, it is also not uncommon for fireworks to be set off during the day. Your dog might get scared and run away. Therefore, the rule is: Always keep your dog on a leash, no matter how much you trust him. If you have a very insecure dog, it is also advisable to double secure him around New Year's, meaning leashing him with both a collar and a harness. You often hear that dogs get startled by unexpected rockets and firecrackers, panic, and slip out of their collar or harness and run away. Being double secured definitely keeps you on the safe side!
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Für Spaziergänge an Silvester gilt: Hund immer anleinen und im besten Fall doppelt sichern!
No. 3: Offer a Retreat and Stay Relaxed!
Your own behavior in stressful situations is crucial for your four-legged friend's behavior. If you are tense, your pet will feel your tension and reflect it in his own behavior. If you notice that your beloved pet is anxious, starts trembling at loud noises, panting, or even has to vomit, you should still remain calm. Turn to your pet, but do not reinforce his fear.
Specifically, this means: Signal safety to him by speaking calmly. Ideally, you can offer your four-legged friend a safe retreat in a darkened room. Ideally, your dog might already know →a dog crate as a safe retreat. Keep the windows and curtains closed and create a cozy spot for your pet. If your dog hides behind furniture, let him stay there.
If you repeatedly calm your four-legged friend with phrases like "It's okay, don't be afraid," he may feel confirmed in his fear - your calming attempt then achieves the opposite effect. A confident demeanor, little commotion in the apartment, and, if desired, close contact with you are the best things you can do for your dog on this day.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Ein höhlenartiges Körbchen oder eine Hundebox sind ideale Rückzugsorte für unsichere, ängstliche Hunde.
No. 4: Distraction Helps Against Stress!
If your four-legged friend is balanced, it can certainly contribute to a relaxed New Year's Eve. Up until the afternoon, you can tire out your dog with long walks →during walks, distract him at home with games, and provide snacks for stress relief.
Whether searching for treats or agility in your own living room - with our →tips for keeping dogs occupied at home, you definitely won't get bored on this day.
Tolle Belohnungen für fleißige Hunde - unsere Snacks
No. 5: Medication for Emergencies - Yes or No?
Unfortunately, most dogs do not handle the New Year's noise in a relaxed manner: They often react sensitively to the sounds of rockets and loud bangs. If you notice that your dog generally reacts very anxiously to fireworks, you can seek veterinary advice before New Year's Eve.
Depending on how panicked your four-legged friend behaves, the range of medications varies from self-dosable →herbal remedies to sedatives like Valium. Always contact your trusted veterinarian beforehand - you should never administer prescription medications to your pet on your own.
With our →relaxation tablets for dogs, you can't go wrong: They contain purely herbal ingredients like valerian, hops, passionflower extract, and ashwagandha to balance nervousness. Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is considered balancing and calming in Ayurvedic tradition.
