For many dogs, the New Year a bad and exhausting day. In today's blog post, we explain why your dog may be particularly stressed on this day and how this can be avoided.
Tip 1: Walk the dog before the fireworks
To spend New Year's Eve with your dog as relaxed as possible, you should bring your evening walk forward. Experience shows that the banging and crashing often starts long before midnight. For this reason, it is advisable to go for a long walk in the afternoon.
Tip 2: Don't forget the leash and harness
Sudden bangs and crashes can cause your dog to want to flee in panic. To avoid accidents or running away, you should definitely keep your dog on a leash on New Year's Eve.
Tip 3: Be there for your dog and don’t leave him alone
It's not just anxious dogs that should not be given into strangers' hands or left alone at home on New Year's Eve. Make sure your dog can spend time in his familiar surroundings with his favorite people. Give him a sense of security and provide protection.
Tip 4: Drown out the noise of firecrackers and rockets
Turn the TV up a little louder and close all doors and windows so that you can drown out the noise from outside. If you have the option of closing external blinds, let them down. The slightly higher noise level and the shielding from the outside mean that the initial shock of a loud bang is not so great.
If you have the opportunity, you can also position the dog bed in a quiet corner. However, you should do this a few days before the New Year so that your dog can get used to it in a relaxed manner.
Tip 5: Avoid stress or reduce it
Avoid stress in the days before New Year. Try to accommodate your dog so that you have a good time with him on New Year's Eve. Provided your dog allows it, massages and extensive petting can have a stress-relieving effect. Distraction with various toys can also be an effective way to relieve stress.
Some dogs find chewing incredibly relaxing and can use it to reduce stress. Ideally, you should try out different options a few days before New Year's Eve and prepare yourself and your dog for a relaxed New Year's Eve.
Tip 6: Get advice from a veterinarian or animal trainer
If you have an anxious dog, you should seek advice from your veterinarian or a qualified animal trainer beforehand. They can give you ideal advice and help you prepare your dog for this stressful evening using relaxation techniques.
Tip 7: Escape the fireworks
If all other measures fail, you can also flee with your dog. There are several cities in Germany that ban fireworks in their city centers. Maybe you can get away at the turn of the year and enjoy an incredibly quiet New Year's Eve.
