How to help your dogโs fear of fireworks and thunderstorms when you can plan ahead?
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Help your dog feel calmer during fireworks & thunderstorms with ADAPTIL Calm Diffuser
- Can help to reduce fear and anxiety in dogs during loud noises.
- Clinically proven to help reduce signs of fear such as trembling and hiding by 93%.
- Proven to see results in 7 days.
- Best results seen when used for at least one month.
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Create a safe place in your home
- Create a super cosy den! Ideally this would be createdย in a spot which is usuallyย your dog's favoured resting place with comfortable blankets and bedding.
- Make it very positive by including their favourite toys or other distractions, such as a chew toy or tasty treats!
- Playย Calming Music for Dogs.
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Minimise escape risks
- Keep your dog indoors, preventing them running away when spooked.
- Secure all exits and fences.
- Ensure they have an updated name tag and microchip on a properly fitting collar for quick reunification if they do get out.
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Keep the big bang away!
- To muffle the sounds, it may be best to have your dog in an internal room which is more protected from the sound and flashes.โ
- Close all curtains, windows and doors and mask the sound with music, the TV or white noise.
- Provide cuddles when your dog comes to you to look for support.
We recommend:
Appeasing pheromones to comfort and calm your dog
To wrap around your dog's body, for immediate calming effect
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Recommended by vets
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25 clinical studies published
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20+ years of expertise
TESTIMONIALS
See how ADAPTIL helped these Dogs:
Expert tips on preparing your dog for fireworks & thunderstorms
It is very common for dog to be sensitive to loud noises, including thunderstorms and fireworks. While a certain degree of fear during big bangs is normal to keep dogs from danger, it becomes very stressful for you and your dog when this fear is extreme.ย
Behaviourists recommend thatโฏit isโฏbest to prepare for the fireworksโฏseason early to help your dog to cope as well as they can.โฏPreparingโฏcan help them feel safe, secureโฏand reassured as much as possible.ย
Our expert advice to help you prepare andโฏhelp your dog stay calm around fireworks.ย
Create a safe haven for your dog:โฏa place they can retreat to and feel safe and calm. You can do many things to create an area for your dog.
- Cover a crate or build a hiding place with comfy blankets and bedding andโฏit's better to select a place they usually like to rest to do this. Dog trainers say that dogs like to be covered so having a blanket or sheet over this area to make it den-like is a good idea.
- You can include an old T-shirt of yours or have their favourite toys nearby.
What can I use to help my dog feel more relaxed during fireworks?ย
UsingโฏADAPTILโฏCalmโฏDiffuserโฏwill help your dog feel calm and relaxed during fireworks and thunderstorms. It is clinically proven to reduce the signs of stress. For fireworks it's very helpful if you can plan ahead, get ready before fireworks season and plug in a few days beforehand, so your dog is calm in advance.ย
You can also tryโฏThunderShirt calming vest, especially if you cannot plan ahead. It provides an immediate calming effect, your dog will relax quickly.โฏJust pop the vest on and it will sit snugly around the dogโs body.ย
We recommend building positive associations with ThunderShirt so they know it means 'relaxation' whenever they see it. This helps to keep your dog from associating ThunderShirt with a scary event like fireworks or thunderstorms.โฏย
Top Tips for Using a ThunderShirt
Put ThunderShirt in your laundry basketย for a day or two so it absorbs your scent, and smells familiar to your pet.ย Theyโll immediately feel more comfortable with ThunderShirt since it reminds them of you.
Associate ThunderShirt with treats.ย When you first show ThunderShirt to your pet, have treats on and around it that they will find as they discover the jacket.ย You could use ThunderWunder Dog Calming Chew as it's a delicious soft chew your dog will enjoy!
Repeat if your pet is still hesitant.ย If your pet is especially sensitive or anxious, you might repeat this introduction a few times on consecutive days before you even try putting ThunderShirt on your dog.
Some other tips, popular with Dog trainers:
Go for a walk earlierย so that there is little chance of going outside when fireworks are going off and your dog being spooked. Also, to avoid any association with the dark and fireworks occurring donโt walk your dog after dark or allow them to go outside during the dark and fireworks.
Let your dog out in the garden regularly while itโs quiet and light before any fireworks could start. It should help them avoid needing to go out to toilet until the fireworks are finished.
If your dog will need a toilet break before you usually get up, schedule a trip outside in the early morning.
How to help your dog with unexpected loud noises (fireworks & thunderstorms)?
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How to help your dog if fireworks & thunderstorms take you by surprise
Preparing for fireworks is preferable as itโฏis the best way to help your dog cope.โฏHowever it is not always possible with unexpected fireworks and thunderstorms.ย ย
This is our advice to follow if you areโฏsurprised with unexpected fireworks.ย
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Instant relief with ThunderShirt
- A ThunderShirt can provide instant relief for your dog which makes it ideal to have ready for the unexpected bangs!
- It works by providing gentle, calming pressure around your dogโs torso, much like swaddling a baby.
- Ideally, you will have got your dog used to wearing a ThunderShirt beforehand. Make sure itโs a positive experience and do not always bring it out just for fireworks and thunderstorms otherwise your dog could build a negative association.
- Weโve seenย ThunderShirt help 1M+ dogs worldwide.
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Muffle the noise and comfort them
- Reassure your dog as they need - if they come for a cuddle and attention, your presence may be all they need. Don't force it, other dogs may prefer to be alone.
- Turn the TV or Radio up to mask the sound.ย
- Close all the windows, doors, curtains/blinds.
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Try to distract them
Ideally you want to take your dog's mind off what's going on. Try and get them to play with you, get out their favourite toy to see if you can interest them.
- A chew toy or a food puzzle/activity feeder may capture their attention, especially if they are filled with high value treats.
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Combine Calming Solutions
ADAPTIL and ThunderShirt can be used together for extra comfort. They work in different ways and compliment each other for extra support.
We recommend:
To wrap around your dog's body, for immediate calming effect
Easy-to-give Calming Chews to help promote rest and relaxation.
TESTIMONIALS
See how ThunderShirt helped these Dogs:
