Fire crackers and thunder storm noise can stress your dog into extreme animal behavior.

Fire crackers exploding and thunder storm claps may be exciting and exhilarating to humans, but to dogs they can be downright terrifying.  The noise from fire crackers or a thunder storm can make the animal behavior of your dog erratic often causing the dog to destroy things and try to escape.  When your dog becomes frightened it may try to escape to a place where the noise is less intense. 

Fire crackers' blasting or a thunder storm boom can result in your dog developing a full-blown phobia.  The affected dog will relentlessly seek the attention of its owner or a safe place to hide.  The dog will puff and pant and pace, often losing control of bladder and bowel.  This loud noise has caused extreme animal behavior also, such as tearing through screens and jumping out of windows causing injury and fatality.

Fire crackers or thunder storms: natural and celebratory events are times to show your pet care and understanding.

Fire crackers and thunder storm noise that causes your dog to be afraid can't be eliminated from the dog's life unless you live alone on an island, but there are some steps you can take to alleviate the distress your dog experiences during these natural or celebratory events:

• Create a safe place.  It has to be the dog's safe place not yours.  See where the dog goes to try to eliminate the noise from the fire crackers or thunder storm and give your pet access to that place.

• Create a hidey-hole and train your dog to go there.  Put a mechanical noise close to it to buffer the sound (a fan or radio).  Insure the dog can leave the spot at any time.

• Distract your dog during the duration of the fire crackers or thunder storm.  Watch for the early signs of distress and try to keep you pet's mind off the noise.

• Qualified pet trainers can help you reduce your pet's anxiety to fire crackers and thunder storm noise.  Techniques such as "counter conditioning" and "desensitization" have been successful in reducing fears and phobias.

• There are also calming remedies available on the market and drug therapies.

• Fire crackers and thunder storm noise don't warrant coddling of your pet, but you should treat the dog gently and kindly when it is afraid.  Be calm and provide your dog with safety and security so it can ride out this stressful time.

To purchase anxiety medication or to learn animal behavior modification techniques visit our pet health and training links below.  Other unique online pet shopping & products are available through all our links below.

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