Dog owners often forget that they are different from humans in several ways. The habit of treating pets as part of the family does not allow for the adequate lucidity required in certain circumstances.
For example, you know because dogs are afraid of barrels and fireworks?
This is why dogs are afraid of barrels
If you are wondering why dogs are afraid of barrels, know that this phobia is present in all breeds of 4-legged friends, because their ears hear noises much more amplified compared to the human one.
The functioning of the dog’s ear
The dog’s hearing system has finely evolved over time to reach an acoustic capacity 4 times higher than that of man.
This means that the perception of sounds is refined to the point of picking up sound waves inaudible to the human ear: 40mila Hertz with a sensitivity of 35 thousand vibrations per second.
Contextualizing this physiological assumption to the noise of New Year’s barrels or fireworks on August 15th (disturbing even for human beings) we can realize how dramatic this habit of celebration is that man, sometimes disrespectful, practices. This makes us understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks.
The consequences for dogs with heart disease or ear diseases
The din of fireworks displays can have serious consequences for a person whose health is already compromised by ear or heart disease. In fact, subjects who normally suffer from hypoacusia (little hearing) can perceive such a loud sound suddenly clearly.
This could scare them to the point of panicking for escape routes and even running away from home.
Even worse if the subject in question is heart disease: the fireworks could cost him his life. It is known that a dog with heart problems cannot undergo stressful events to avoid unfortunate outcomes such as heart attacks or serious arrhythmias.
How does a dog frightened by barrels react?
Now that we understand why dogs are afraid of fireworks, let’s try to recognize when Fido is scared. If our four-legged friend is afraid of fireworks, it can happen to see him:
The dog send signals when something is about to happen and it can affect his normal daily life and cause him annoyance or discomfort. So by observing him you can perceive his mood and help him deal with the situation.
How to calm a dog who is afraid of fireworks?
In older dogs or with problems related to blindness and deafness, phobias could have the upper hand and make the pet suffer seriously.
It’s good to be more relaxed talk to your vetexplaining the situation to him. Maybe he could score some tranquilizer drops to make the dog feel more serene.
When you feel that the first batteries of fireworks are starting for the city, you have to be careful that the dog doesn’t start running away all over the house, not understanding where to go.
Normality is the key to everything
One tip is pet him, talk to him softly and be close to himso he will understand that there is no danger in sight and this will help him calm down, without getting to the point of drooling and shaking like a leaf, or in the most serious cases, even losing consciousness from too much emotion.
Through normal behaviorlike rewarding him with a biscuit if he starts to feel calmer, the dog will understand that this is the right path to pursue.
Dog scared of bangs and sudden noises? Make him a shelter!
In view of the barrels, if you want to play in advance, you could resort to some tricks to be used during those hours. Especially those who live in the city, between the barrels exploded by their neighbors and those on the street, can do nothing but study techniques that can reassure the dog as much as possible.
The dog, running away, communicates that his desire is to have peace of mind and, therefore, there is nothing better than a sort of “den” in which to take refugepossibly away from windows and balconies.
By pampering him and filling that chosen place with water and kibble, you can manage to make him feel as comfortable as possible and distract him from what is happening outside.
Often a dog looks for a safe place by itself to spend the necessary time away from the threat of those deafening noises, but otherwise the owner can prepare a shelter with all the comforts a little in advance, trying to limit the damage.
At least once a year it happens to have to control this phobia of small four-legged friends, but collaboration and solidarity are the keywords to overcome this moment without consequences and trauma and help your four-legged friend to live all the moments of his life serenely.
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Article reviewed by:
Joseph Terlizzi
Veterinarian