n.y.e. fireworks with your pet!

as the year comes to a close, we look forward to celebrating the previous year's highs and making more happy memories in the coming year!

for some, the celebration means dancing the night away at a club. for others, it might be more low-key like staying in with friends and family.

if you're a pet parent, one thing that might factor into your plans is your pet's reaction to fireworks!

those who fear the big boom, need a little extra love on days like December 31.

here are some tips to help your pet ring in the new year with you or your pet sitter!

EXERCISE YOUR DOG

a tired dog is a happy (less anxious) dog.

dogs love to use their nose and their brain to solve puzzles.

if your dog has already mastered the puzzle plate to eat their dinner, a kong might be the next level for them.

if you don't want to buy new products, put their kibble in a kitchen towel, roll the towel and then tie it in a loose knot.

your dog has to work to undo the knot and then unroll the towel.

*i recommend using a towel that you don't love because some dogs will try to chew through the towel. that said, always keep an eye on your dog while they work out these puzzles.

if you don't have a cheap towel or a kong, use an empty plastic water bottle.

for a different challenge, drill two holes through the bottle, put a wooden rod or a string through the holes, and suspend the bottles. your pup will have to turn the bottle upside down to get the food out.

what are your favorite canine enrichment tools? leave a comment below!

TRACK YOUR DOG

when going outside on New Year's Eve, be mindful that fireworks could be going off at any hour; i've heard fireworks during daylight!

pets who hear fireworks while outside can get spooked and run away; we've all seen the missing or found pet posts on social media and the good old-fashioned posters on light poles.

the solution isn't keeping your pet inside all day. when they gotta go, they gotta go!

in my blog post "the season of the big boom!"

i share four tracking tools to have on your dog whenever you leave the house, not just during fireworks season. this way, in the off chance that they do get out of your sight, you're more likely to reunite with them.

TLDR;

1. ID tag

2. GPS tracker

3. Lights and/or reflectors

4. the microchip

as long as you have those four tools, and you're being mindful of your surroundings and your dog, you should be comfortable and confident about going outside for a short walk with your dog on NYE.

***if your dog's potty break is in the backyard, go outside with them and keep them on a leash. if you hear a boom, you have more control of getting your dog back inside.

CALM YOUR DOG

get ahead of the fear by bringing out the calming tools before midnight.

A Safe Space: this might be a bathroom, a crate, or under a bed. if you can fit it in the space, provide blankets and your dog's favorite plush toys.

White Noise: for some, this could be a playlist or maybe the bathroom fan. the point is to drown out the fireworks with a more calming sound.

Thunder Vest: this is a snug fit on your pup, and it especially comes in handy if your dog isolates themselves. it's like a hug from a distance!

A Calm Human: dogs pick up on our emotions. keep an eye on your dog, or check in with them, but be the cool parent. if your dog senses you are anxious, maybe because you're worried about your dog's reaction to the fireworks, they might interpret this to mean that you are also reactive to the fireworks, and therefore they should be, too.

YOUR DOG'S BEST FRIEND

If you won't be with your dog during fireworks, schedule a pet care pro to be with your dog!

Once you've learned what routine works best for your dog during the big booms, you can share that information by using my Pet Sitter's Playbook.

This profile explains your dog's unique personality so that even when you aren't with them, they can be comfortable and confident with their pet sitter!

New Year's Eve is a great time to reflect on how far you've come in your journey as a pet parent. What milestones has your pet reached, and what goals do they have in the next 12 months? Share in the comments below!

Your Pet Care Pro,

Jes