New Year's Eve – avoiding stress for your dog

New Year's Eve is usually associated with massive stress and fear for our dogs. The fun that we humans have with bangs and firecrackers is not shared by our four-legged friends – on the contrary: they often panic, tremble or hide. So that the turn of the year does not become a nightmare, you should begin early with the right preparation, so that our pets too can slide into the new year relaxed.

The dog's sensitive hearing

Dogs have much finer hearing than we humans. What is merely loud to us is often physically painful for them. That is why the noise of firecrackers is especially distressing. It helps if the animals can retreat to a quiet place (e.g. an internal bathroom or the cellar). In addition, they should be kept away from the glaring light effects as much as possible (roller shutters down!). On no account should you make the mistake of leaving the animals alone on this evening – this can trigger lasting behavioural disorders and separation anxiety. Often it is enough for a familiar person to stay at home and thereby give the dog security.

Preparing for the last day of the year

As early as the afternoon, you should take the dog out for another good long walk (in quiet areas), so that he does not have to go outside again at night when the banging starts. Above all, note this: only take dogs out on the lead on New Year's Eve! Every year it happens that prematurely lit firecrackers trigger panic, the dog runs off and is missing for days. A safety harness can also make sense for anxious dogs.

In addition, you can support the dog in advance: pheromones for the plug socket, egg liqueur (as an “emergency remedy” after consulting the vet) or the targeted administration of micronutrients to strengthen the nerves can help.

Conveying safety and security

An old myth says that you must not comfort the dog when he is afraid. This has now been refuted: you are allowed to be there for your dog! All that matters is the how. Do not lapse into pity (“Oh dear, you poor thing!”), because that confirms his insecurity. Instead, be his rock in the storm: offer him physical contact when he seeks it, radiate calm and show him: “I am here, everything is fine.”

Quiet music, darkened rooms and a cosy den often work wonders. Genuine sedatives should only be administered if this has been discussed beforehand with the vet, as some remedies only paralyse the dog physically while leaving him mentally awake (and panicked). A good way to distract him is search games or a particularly great chew bone – chewing reduces stress.

Desensitisation as long-term training

What you can do as long-term preparation is desensitisation with special sound CDs or playlists (e.g. fireworks sounds). You cannot start with this early enough, ideally months before New Year's Eve. The sounds are first played very quietly while the dog experiences something wonderful (eating, playing). Bit by bit the volume is increased. This way the dog has the chance to get used to the racket, so that the real firecracker noises lose their terror for him.