Fear of sound is a common problem in our dogs. Fireworks are the most common sound that dogs are afraid of, but the fear of sound can progress so that the animal also become afraid of other sudden and loud sounds and/or lights.

Remember to prepare well in advance when you know fireworks will be set off nearby. Perhaps talk to the neighbors and let them know that you have a dog who is afraid of this noise. Perhaps they can agree to refrain from setting off fireworks or perhaps they can be persuaded to do it further down the road? Consider staying elsewhere if the dog is very scared.

If you are in a place where fireworks or loud sounds cannot be avoided, the there are a few things you can do to help your dog. Prepare a place in the home where your dog can feel safe. It's best if you have trained the pet to be there on a regular basis even weeks before the actual day of fireworks/noise. It can be, for example, under a table, in a transport cage/collapsible crate/hut, in the bathroom or similar with blankets and chew toys as a distraction. Try to chose a quiet place in the house. 

- Walk/exercise the dog properly during the day.

- Train the dog to wear cotton wool in his ears, it muffles the sound a bit. Remember to keep windows and doors closed and put some nice music on. The music may be able to prevent the pet hearing any or less outside 'trigger' noises.

- Stay indoors and do not take your dog outside or to the windows where it can have exposure to the noise/fireworks.

- Remember to be calm yourself, your body language is of great importance to how the dog perceives your signals and it will naturally react accordingly.

- Never leave the dog alone, but stay with it the whole time when fireworks are going off. This way you provide security and can also pay attention to signs of fear.

Short-term management of anxiety symptoms in connection with fear of sound may include anti-anxiety and sedative drugs and/or synthetic pheromones. There are also different types of food supplements that can counteract stress. A physical visit to a veterinarian is required for all prescription drugs so speak to your vet about possible solutions. 

At home you can consider using calming synthetic pheromones and nutritional supplements that can be bought without a prescription at a local veterinary practice, pet shop or online:

- DAP and Adaptil: Contains a synthetically produced pheromone, a species-specific body scent that is secreted from the bitch's mammary gland area during a lactation period. These pheromones have a calming effect on the dog.

- Zylkene, Aptus relax: Food supplements containing calming substances, eg milk protein, B vitamins etc.

I hope this guide has given you some inspiration of how to minimize the impact of noise in you home.