Gunpowder turns on the alert again at Christmas, a difficult time for many dogs that suffer from stress and fear due to noise. To do?
The arrival of December 24th usually comes accompanied by excitement, family gatherings, traditional dishes and celebrations that are repeated every year. It is a date to share, thank and enjoy around the table. However, in the midst of Christmas joy, there are also concerns that go beyond gifts and dinner.especially when we think about the well-being of our pets and the dogs that live in the streets.
During this and other end-of-year celebrations, the use of gunpowder and fireworks becomes a constant in many cities and municipalities. Although for some people these sounds represent celebration and excitement, for dogs they mean one of the main causes of stress, fear and anxiety.
Loud, repetitive, and unpredictable noises can generate intense reactions in animals, ranging from trembling and excessive panting to escape attempts, disorientation, or destructive behavior.
This fear should not be minimized nor be interpreted as a simple temporary scare. Dogs have a much more developed sense of hearing than that of humans, which allows them to perceive sounds at a much higher intensity.
Furthermore, by not understanding the origin of the noises or anticipating when they will end, your brain interprets them as a real threat. For this reason, accompanying them appropriately during these dates is key to protecting their physical and emotional well-being.
With the aim of helping families live a A calmer Christmas with your petsspecialists recommend a series of practical actions that can make a difference during gunpowder nights.
5 key tips to protect your dog from gunpowder
- Create a safe haven within the home
One of the first steps is to prepare a quiet space where the dog can feel protected. The ideal is to choose an interior room, away from windows and doors, where outside noise is less. There you can find your favorite bed, blankets and toys, items that are familiar and comforting.
Closing curtains and blinds helps reduce visual stimuli, while an open and covered cage, if the dog is used to it, can become a safe haven. It is important that the animal can enter and leave freely, without feeling obliged to remain in that place.
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- Reduce the impact of outside noise
Decreasing the sound of gunpowder can have a positive effect on the dog’s behavior. Turning on the television, playing soft music or using ambient sounds helps to muffle the noise and prevent the animal from being in a constant state of alert.
Although these measures do not completely eliminate noise, they do help to reduce its intensity and generate a more controlled environment inside the home.
- Keep calm and accompany him
Dogs are especially sensitive to emotional state of the people around them. If they perceive nervousness, anxiety or tension, their fear may intensify. Therefore, staying calm, speaking in a soft voice and staying close when they seek physical contact transmits to them security.
It is not advisable to scold them for their behavior or ignore them completely. The balance is in accompanying, providing support and allowing them to feel protected without dramatizing the situation.
- Offer positive distractions
During louder times, activities that stimulate the mind can help divert attention away from fear. Interactive toys, long-lasting treats, or foods that take time to consume can keep the dog busy and reduce your anxiety level.
These distractions work best if they are offered before the sounds become very loud, as a way of anticipate stress.
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- Think about long-term preparation
When the fear of gunpowder repeats itself year after year, it is advisable to work in a preventive strategy. Progressive desensitization, which involves exposing the dog in a controlled manner to low-volume noise recordings and associating them with positive experiences, can give results over time.
In cases of severe anxietygoing to the vet is essential, since there are alternatives such as calming pheromones or specialized management plans that must be evaluated by a professional.
Caring for a dog during gunpowder episodes not only means protecting it from noise, but also offering understanding, patience and company.
On these dates, the call also extends to thinking about the dogs in street conditionwhich have no shelter or protection from noise. Reduce the use of gunpowder It is a way to contribute to a safer and more conscious Christmas for everyone.
