Preparing Your Dog for New Year’s Eve: Tips for Welcoming the New Year

Many dogs fear New Year’s Eve. It’s not surprising that on holidays, with fireworks and other festivities, everything is louder, brighter and more exciting. These tips will help you prepare your dog for the celebrations at the beginning of the new year.

Dogs who are fearful of New Year’s can show anything from mild nervousness to panic, including hiding and incessantly barking. It makes sense to spend some time preparing your four-legged companion for New Year’s.

Cautionary desensitization
Not only, but particularly if you are bringing a puppy home to celebrate New Year’s, it is important that you take the necessary precautions before the new year.

You should never scare your dog with loud noises. He should still be used to loud sounds and learn to accept them as normal and not threatening.

You can, for example, use CDs or tapes that have fireworks sounds in them to show your pet that life goes on as usual, even when it’s a bit loud. Wild West movies can also be a great way to introduce your dog to unusual banging. You should be careful when you do this. Too much banging may have the desired result. Early in the year, start the training of your dog calmly.

You can find additional tips in our guide “Systematic Desensitization for Dogs” on how to remove fear from your four legged friend. If you’re unsure, or have doubts about the process, ask an animal psychologist or dog trainer for assistance.

Bach flowers for New Year’s Eve Stress in Dogs
Many owners swear by Bach Flowers as a calming substance – like the Rescue Remedy mixture against anxiety. These emergency drops can be found in many pet shops and pharmacies. They are meant to reduce stress naturally.

Artificial pheromones can also be calming. They are available in sprays and atomizers that you can use at the outlet. These pheromones mimic the scent messenger of the mother three to five days following birth, giving your dog a feeling of security.

You can use the fact that people begin banging their New Year’s Eve bells just before New Years Eve to your advantage.

Walk regularly and in peace. Leash your dog. You will give your dog security, and prevent him running off in panic if he is scared.

Pretend that nothing is happening to your dog. Resist the urge to comfort him too much if he becomes anxious. He will notice that you are also anxious and worried, and think it’s justified. You need to make sure he doesn’t think that his fear of New Year’s Eve, with its loud noises and flashing lights is justified.

Don’t fuss too much about this unusual situation. If your four legged friend wants to be close to you, allow him to do so. You can pet him as usual, but don’t pay too much attention to the fear he is feeling. This will only make things worse.

Safety is always the priority on New Year’s Day. Avoid exposing your dog to unnecessary danger and stress, even if they are used to the sound of fireworks and rockets.

Your dog will survive New Year’s better.
On New Year’s Eve, you should keep your pet indoors. Keep your dog away from street fireworks. Set up a cozy, quiet retreat in his apartment or home so he doesn’t notice the noise outside.

The best option is to have a room with no windows, but one that does not face the street. You can also lower the blinds or draw the curtains if you do not have a room without windows. Closed doors will also keep the noise levels as low as you can and ensure the dog does not hear the fireworks.

It is best to place the basket and bowl in a quiet area, away from windows. The TV or radio can help him become more familiar with the sounds, while a game of fetch with his favorite ball is a great distraction. Do not leave your dog unattended while you are doing this. You can give your dog the sense of security by being close to him at all times.

Beware. Behave normally and calmly, just as you would have done before New Year’s. He will feel your anxiety and stress, and think that he has the same reason. Relaxed cuddling, however, is allowed.

Talk to your vet or animal healer about whether a natural sedative could help calm your dog down on New Year’s Eve. As well as the Bach flowers, you can also give valerian to dogs.

Thundershirts in the right size can relieve stress. It is a sweatshirt-like jersey that fits snugly and exerts gentle pressure to calm down your dog’s chest.

Eggnog is often mentioned as a way to help your dog get through New Year’s with ease. The eggnog is supposed to calm down your four-legged friend and help you get through New Year’s Eve. It is better to avoid it. Even if you only drink a tiny amount, dogs will still metabolize it much more efficiently than humans. This intoxicant can lead to the death of dogs.

New Year’s Eve With A Dog – A Conclusion
It’s best to test out what works with your dog, and what may, on the other hand, increase his fear of New Year’s Eve and firecrackers.

It is always a good idea to begin training your dog well before the New Year. You can enjoy the new year with your dog in the most relaxed way possible.