Distract them with toys or a treat
Distract your dog or cat by giving them something fun to do. Either give them their favorite treat so they can associate the noise with positive things or give them their favorite chew toy or a kong filled with peanut butter to keep them busy.
Leave the room that your dog loves the most as the last room you pack. Allow them to rest there comfortably, away from the hustle and bustle. Turn on a fan or other soothing sounds to help your dog become more relaxed, and offer them a treat-filled toy or treat dispenser to alleviate boredom.
Create a 'safe place' inside your home for your dog to hide from fireworks. A table draped with a blanket is a great retreat, or if your dog is used to being in a crate, cover it and leave it open with blankets inside. Don't lock your dog in the crate, as this can be even more stressful for them.
Anxiety wraps are vest-like garments designed to calm anxious dogs. The vests work under the theory that pressure applied to the dog's torso causes a calming effect, similar to swaddling a crying infant or hugging a distressed person.
Raised hackles are an undeniable physical sign of your dog's discomfort. Pacing: Your pet might walk back and forth nervously if feeling stressed. Shaking or trembling: This behavior is an obvious sign of dog stress. Whining, barking, or growling: Your pet will often “talk” to you when feeling uncomfortable.
The sensory perception of dogs is different than that of humans. Dogs have a sharp sense of smell, they can hear higher frequencies than humans, yet have poor visual acuity. Fear may be associated with unfamiliar sights, sounds, or even the odors of a particular location.
Much like people, all animals will respond to moving and stress differently. For some dogs it may be obvious that they are stressed, others may not show any signs for weeks after the move. If you are concerned about your dog's behavior, please consult a veterinarian or certified dog trainer.
If your dog is anxious, you can try to distract her or help remove her from the situation. Giving your dog a treat or toy, asking her to do tricks, petting her or moving her to a safe space are good solutions in the moment. Calming music and weighted blankets can also help.
Give your dog valerian root prior to any encounter that could make him feel stressed, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, vet visits, travel, large gatherings, being around other dogs, and more. Valerian root can also help to calm an anxious doggo who experiences separation anxiety while you're out for the day.
On New Year's Eve, keep your pets in a safe and secure room, where it can't get out, and people are not going into. Give them a bed and blanket to burrow into. Close the windows so the noise is muffled and they can't get out, just leave enough open for ventilation. Play relaxing music.
Keep dogs and cats indoors – if you must let the dog out for a bathroom break, monitor them closely by keeping them on a leash. Make sure the collar is fitted and there is no chance of escape if they become frightened by the sounds of fireworks. It is best to not let your cats out at all.
After three weeks, many dogs have settled and behave as though they feel like they are home now, but they really don't fit into your routine until about three months have gone by.” Give it time. Remember, even if you're doing everything right, a new adult dog may take a while to feel at home. But it's worth the wait.
Recovery of Chronic Stress in Dogs
And, the end result may take months to achieve if there are systemic changes afoot as well. It is certainly safe to assume that any steps you can take to eliminate or reduce some of the stress triggers noted above will go a long way to at least beginning the healing process.
Shortened Lifespan
A recent study conducted by animal science researcher Nancy Dreschel found that dogs with anxiety made to interact with strangers were likely to have a shorter lifespan (averaging about 6 months) than dogs without anxiety.
Blue and violet are also more emotionally calming and can help to reduce stress levels. These colors are preferable in the veterinary setting because they appear in lighter tones to animals and do not seem as abrasive as white or as dull as gray.
Conclusion. Before you begin tackling dog crate training and anxiety, you must understand that using a crate won't get rid of their separation anxiety. While crates can help prevent feelings of fear and destructive behavior, they aren't an end-all solution.