November 9, 2024, 8:05 am | Read time: 5 minutes
For many dogs, the time between the years is sheer horror. This is due to the fireworks that are set off days before New Year’s Eve and often well into January. The loud firecrackers cause many animals to panic. Furthermore, the owners suffer too, because the sight of frightened pets is hard to bear.
When I think back to my dog Splash, I wish there had been something like hearing protection for dogs back then. Because on New Year’s Eve, my greyhound mix, whom I had adopted from an animal shelter, became just a frightened shadow of his former self. As soon as the first firecrackers were heard in the neighborhood, he fled in panic to the bathroom or under my bed. There, he trembled all over and could hardly be calmed down. It was heartbreaking every year.
Going for walks was unthinkable for several days. He also managed to do his business on the patio only with great difficulty. He couldn’t be moved any further. Since then, I have had a somewhat uneasy relationship with New Year’s Eve and fireworks in general.
Owners often suffer along with their pets
I am by no means the only one with this experience. Many pets suffer in agony from the noise of New Year’s Eve, and their owners automatically suffer too. There are, therefore, many different tips on the internet about what you can do to help your four-legged friend as much as possible during fireworks. In addition to questionable practices such as sedation, tranquilizers, or even the administration of eggnog, you can read time and again about hearing protection for dogs—obviously the lesser evil for the animal.
Lisa Frankenberger is a spokesperson for the animal welfare organization Tasso e.V. and took her dog Dottie on a self-test of hearing protection training. “The hearing protection is similar to the large ‘Mickey Mouse ears’ that children wear at concerts. It comes in a version with Velcro straps or as a tubular scarf with integrated protective shells over the ears,” explains Frankenberger in an interview with PETBOOK. “How much the hearing protection absorbs depends on various factors: Type of dog, model of hearing protection, fit of the protection, and proximity to the noise.”
“My dog can barely hear me when she’s wearing hearing protection”
She can’t say how much such hearing protection for dogs can dampen noise. However, she has found that her dog finds it difficult to hear her when she is wearing the headphones. “I have to raise my voice quite a bit,” she concludes. What’s more, Lisa Frankenberger says that her four-legged friend can relax perfectly with the hearing protection on. During the hearing protection training, there was even a spontaneous incident that made a lasting impression on her, as the owner reveals.
“Right on the evening of the second day of training, when we had really just started, and she was lying in her basket with her hearing protection on, there were loud fireworks – unannounced! I didn’t realize that there was a funfair next door in the neighboring village.” She looked startled at her dog, but she was “still relaxed with her chewing stick.” Lisa Frankenberger drew the blinds, turned up the volume on the TV, and prepared a liverwurst treat mat for Dottie.
“I really spent 20 minutes in a total panic myself”
“There was no way I could take her hearing protection off in this situation because then she would have heard the fireworks and would, of course, have linked them to the hearing protection,” says Frankenberger, explaining her dilemma. “I really spent 20 minutes in total panic myself while my dog was super relaxed. Either Dottie really didn’t notice the fireworks, or it was just so quiet for her that it didn’t go beyond the point where she got scared.” In any case, Lisa Frankenberger now feels prepared for New Year’s Eve and every other firework display in between.
But how did she get Dottie used to the hearing protection? “The first step was to put the hearing protection down and put treats on it so that Dottie could explore it at her own pace. She should realize that there is no danger from the hearing protection. Dottie is very curious and fearless, so she quickly accepted the hearing protection,” recalls the owner.
A child’s headband can be useful during training
“We then used a child’s headband to get her used to having something pulled over her head, which many dogs don’t like. I lured her through the headband with a treat and rewarded her every time. Finally, we reintroduced the ear protection and gradually got her to accept it with liverwurst.”
She knew that this process required a great deal of patience, positive reinforcement, and treats. After two training sessions, she was already able to put Dottie’s hearing protection on, which she still rewards with liverwurst today. For each training session, she tried to increase the amount of time she wore the hearing protection from time to time.
Lisa Frankenberger always uses the hearing protection when she feels it is helping her dog. “Our main concern is fireworks. She doesn’t mind thunderstorms, but fireworks are a problem, especially because there are so many in our area. If I anticipate fireworks, I put on her hearing protection, and we will remain indoors.” Then, she provides her dog with a lick mat, a snuffle mat, or something to chew on. “This helps her to relax, and she often lies down quietly next to me.”
PETBOOK inquires Hunter speaks out against the docking ban for hunting dogs: ‘It’s about the welfare of these animals!’
Paw care Should you cut your cat’s claws?
Dog trainer gives tips How to get the dog used to a new name
Owners should start training early on
The hearing protection can also be used by anxious dogs during walks. However, the four-legged friend should already be used to the hearing protection and be kept on a lead. On the one hand, depending on the hearing protection, the four-legged friend may hear less of the environment or, if a firework explodes in its vicinity, be frightened and run away in panic.
However, Lisa Frankenberger recommends starting training at an early stage. After all, if the dog gets something on its ears during a firework display that is already frightening, this can make the situation even worse for the animal.