How can I protect my dog's ears from loud noises like fireworks?

Poor Diesel! Fireworks and loud noises can be really scary for dogs. One important thing to do to when your dog acts scared is not to reassure him. We think we are comforting him when we do that, but it's actually reinforcing the behavior and telling him it's ok to be scared. I recommend getting him a thundershirt to wear when there are fireworks or loud noises. These have been reported to help dogs with anxiety. At home, you can put him in a dark quiet room by himself to self-soothe. You can also turn on the TV or music to block out the sound. Finally, you can consider get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Do they have noise phobias? Meaning do they care when fireworks are set off. If they don't care, I don't see why their routine has to change. My dog could care less about fireworks or thunderstorms so we let him out (fenced yard). As long as your dogs aren't roaming out of the yard and aren't scared of fireworks I would keep things the same. If they are scared then do not let them outside at dusk when fireworks tend to be set off, especially alone. Keep them indoors with the TV AND radio on in the most insulated sound proof area of your home and talk to your Vet about medicating them BEFORE fireworks are set off. I wish you all the best!

Wally most likely was just scared of the loud sound. If he is acting normal now, then it is unlikely there is physical damage. The link below has information on fear related to fireworks, but a lot of the tips are applicable to other loud noises (like fire alarms) as well https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952947

These links may help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/fear-of-thunderstorms-fireworks-and-noise-phobias/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-deal-with-noise-induced-anxiety-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-natural-treatments-for-dog-anxiety/ I hope this helps.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Archie. There is a fairly new drug out for noise/sound phobias but it is actually a medicine that we have used for years to sedation and anesthetize dogs and cats. The drug company has now packaged it in an oral gel form and very small doses of the drug are very effective at curbing the fear that dogs experience. The drug in the United States is called Sileo (dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel). I would advise asking your veterinarian and find out if this preparation of the drug is available in the UK. The other thing you can do is behavior modification, or in this case hyposensitization to loud noises that cause him anxiety. Find recordings of thunder and loud noises but play it very softly at first when starting the medication if you can get it. You can then incrementally raise the volume of the recording to start lessening his response to the noises that bother him. I hope this helps and I hope this drug is available in this form in the UK. Good luck with Archie.

I would recommend anti-anxiety supplements and calming supplements such as those recommended below. If there is no improvement, you may need to seek behavioral training or see a veterinarian about anti-anxiety prescription drugs. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions / concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Adaptil calming collar and diffuser 2. NaturVet Quiet Moments calm chews with melatonin

Slowly reacclimate him to going outside again. Use treats as rewards and bribes. If he is a small dog, carry him outside for ever increasing periods of time. Calming pheromone collars or sprays may be effective. Compression shirts such as the ThunderShirt may help as well.